Bonda Moru Kuzhambu

This is a popular south Indian dish made of curd/yogurt and is the counterpart of the North Indian Kadi. In the North Indian Kadi chickpea flour or besan is used to give body to the dish, whereas in Mor Kuzhambu, Chana dal and Tuvar dal( yellow lentils and gram) along with coconut and coriander seeds are used to give body. The masalas used in Kadi are in powdered form, whereas in the South Indian Mor Kuzhambu the whole masalas are ground to a paste.

The array of vegetables that can be used in making this dish is huge. Vegetables like Plantains, Brinjal, Colaccasia/Arbi, Ash gourd, Pumpkin, Mango(ripe), Bhindi/Vendakai can be used to make this dish. These vegetables are used in a combination or individually to make the Mor Kuzhambu. Sometimes lentil dumplings are also used. 

In this recipe, I am showing the method for the Bonda/Dumpling Moru Kuzhambu. This is a dish that I used to make so often in the past and then stopped making altogether for the past two years, for no specific reason ofcourse. Though the Moru Kuzhambu/Kadi is a weekly dish in my house, the Bonda Moru Kuzhambu I make only once in a while.

Usually, Urad dal/ Black lentils are soaked and ground to a fine batter and then deep-fried in oil. There is a popular south Indian snack called Mysore Bonda, so these Bondas are put in the Kadi. I make this in a much simpler fashion though. Idli/Dosa batter is a staple in all our homes, I have used that to make the Bondas with a little additional flours. That’s all. 

While you are here please check out other recipes by me like Vatha Kozhambu, Moru Kuzhambu with Bhindi, Gutti Vankaya Kura, Drumstick curry, Brinjal Pepper masala, Pachai Sundakkai Kuzhambu, and many more…

   Here is the recipe for Bonda Moru Kuzhambu-

 

 PREP TIME: 15                                 COOK TIME: 20Mins
 TOTAL TIME:35 MINS                       COURSE:  MAIN
 CUISINE:  SOUTH INDIAN                SERVINGS: 6 
 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Ingredients:

   To Soak for 15 mins:

    Dhania/Coriander seeds 1 tbsp

   Jeera 1/2 tsp

   Chana dal 1.5 tsp

   Tuvar dal 1 tsp

   Dry red chilli  1

   Methi seeds a pinch(optional)

   To grind:

   Green chilli 1 big

   Ginger1/2 inch piece

   Coconut 2 tbsp +

    All soaked ingredients after draining water.

   Curd 300 ml or 2 cups(refer method) (1 cup=150ml)

    For the Bondas/lentil Dumplings:

    Idli/Dosa batter 1.5 cup

   Rice flour 1.5 tbsp

   Green chillies 2 chopped

   Ginger 1/2 inch piece chopped

   Cumin- pepper powder 1 tsp

   Curry leaves a few

   Oil for frying the dumplings

    For tempering:

    Oil 1 tbsp

   Mustard seeds 1 tsp

   Cumin seeds/Jeera 1/2 tsp

   Dry red chillies 2 broken 

   urad dal 1 tsp

   Chana dal 1/2 tsp

   Curry leaves a few

   salt to taste

 

   Directions: 

   Soak all ingredients mentioned under “to soak” for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, drain water and put the soaked ingredients into a blender. Add the ingredients mentioned under “to grind” except the curd and grind them to a coarse mixture. Now add 2 tbsp curd to the coarse mixture and grind again to a smooth paste.

While the above ingredients are soaking, let’s fry the Bondas. To the Idli/Dosa batter add the rice flour, green chillies, ginger, cumin-pepper powder, and curry leaves and mix nicely. Heat oil in a Kadai for deep frying the Bondas. Now drop a small amount of batter into the oil with your finger or one can use a tablespoon to do it. Drop tiny amounts of batter, because they fluff up in the oil. Repeat for all batter, drain in absorbent paper and keep aside.

Now put a Kadai on the flame and pour the ground paste into it. Reduce the flame and add 1 to 1.5 cups of water and simmer it. The paste has to cook well, for about 2 minutes or until the raw taste of the masalas is gone. Now smoothen the remaining curd(we used only 2 tbsp for the paste) with a whisk or give it a single spin in the blender and pour this curd into the cooking paste. Add turmeric powder and salt. The flame should be low throughout. Once the curd is poured, keep stirring constantly for a few minutes. This should take approximately 2 minutes and then switch off the flame. Once the curd is poured, it should not simmer for long. Now add the fried Bondas. Now in a small Kadai heat oil, add all the tempering ingredients, fry them and add to the Mor Kuzhambu.

 Let the Bondas soak for 10 minutes. The tasty Bonda Mor Kuzhambu is ready to relish.

Serving Suggestions: Hot rice and Parupu Usili on the sides. It is a match made in heaven with Coconut(Thengai ) Sevai(rice hoopers) or even with Coconut rice.

 

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS

1.  Assemble all ingredients. Soak all ingredients mentioned under “to soak” for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, drain water and put the soaked ingredients into a blender.

 

2. Add the ingredients mentioned under “to grind” except the curd and grind them to a coarse mixture. Now add 2 tbsp curd to the coarse mixture and grind again to a smooth paste.
3. To the Idli/Dosa batter add the rice flour, green chillies, ginger, cumin-pepper powder, and curry leaves and mix nicely. Heat oil in a Kadai for deep frying the Bondas. Now drop a small amount of batter into the oil with your finger or one can use a tablespoon to do it. Repeat for all batter, drain in absorbent paper and keep aside.

 

4.  Now put a Kadai on the flame and pour the ground paste into it. Reduce the flame and add 1 to 1.5 cups of water and simmer it. The paste has to cook well, for about 2 minutes or until the raw taste of the masalas is gone. 
5. Now smoothen the remaining curd(we used only 2 tbsp for the paste) with a whisk or give it a single spin in the blender and pour this curd into the cooking paste. Add turmeric powder and salt.
6. Once the curd is poured, keep stirring constantly for a few minutes, approx. 2 minutes and put off the flame. Now in a Kadai heat oil, add all the tempering ingredients, fry them and add to the Mor Kuzhambu. Let the Bondas soak for a few minutes and then the Mor Kuzhambu is ready to serve.

 

NOTES:
 
1. The flame should always be low while cooking this dish, as curd on the high flame will split and the water will separate.

2. For the same reason once the curd is poured into the masala paste it has to be stirred constantly, to avoid separating of water and curd, which will turn the dish runny.

3. To fry the Bondas use a spoon to drop the batter, as it is safer. At a time a few Bondas can be fried. 

 

If you tried this recipe and liked it please comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you have a query about the recipe email us and ill respond as soon as I can.

 

 

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Bhindi Raita

Raita is a yoghurt-based condiment. It usually contains cooked or raw vegetables/fruits/pulses, mixed with the Yogurt/Dahi and tempered with Mustard and Jeera. The Raita is usually served with Biriyani, Pulav, Parathas, Naans or can be served as a dip for Kebabs too.

Today I chose to make Bhindi(Lady’s Finger) Raita as an accompaniment for Masala Rice( recipe given in Rice section), as the crisply cooked Bhindi combines beautifully with the spiced curd and imparts a lovely texture and flavour to the Yoghurt. This Raita goes well with both North Indian and South Indian dishes.
Let’s get to the recipe right away.
PREP TIME: 5 Mins                COOK TIME: 15 Mins
TOTAL TIME: 20                            COURSE:ACCOMPANIMET    CUISINE: NORTH /                                                          SOUTH INDIAN                                                                                               AUTHOR: RAJNI RAM 
Ingredients:
Curd /Yogurt 400 gm(fresh not sour)
Bhindi /Okra/Lady’s Finger 6 to 8 big ones
Jeera /Cumin powder 1.5 tsp
Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp, for more spice, add 1 tsp
Salt as per taste( some will be added while cooking Bhindi too)
Mustard 1 tsp
Jeera / Cumin whole  1 tsp
Urad dal split 1 tsp
Dry red chilli 1 big broken to bits
Curry leaves few
Asafoetida powder/ Hing 1/2 tsp
Oil 2 tbsp
Directions:
Take 400 gm curd, smoothen it with a ladle, do not whip or churn it. Add the spice powders- red chilli powder, Jeera powder and salt to the curd. Mix gently and keep in the refrigerator to chill. Next, take 2 Tbsp oil in a Karahi/ Pan and heat. Add the tempering of Mustard, Jeera, Urad dal, dry Red chilli, Curry leaves and Hing ( asafoetida), fry to a golden colour and add in the Bhindi. On high flame saute by stirring continuously for 2 mins, add salt and continue to saute. Keep stirring from time to time until the Bhindi is cooked and turns crisp. Put off the stove and cool it. Once cooled it can now be added to the chilled spiced curd. Yummy Bhindi Raita is ready to serve.
STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:
1. Assemble all ingredients.

 

 2. Take 400 gm Curd and smoothen it out with a ladle, don’t beat or whip it vigorously. To this add the spice mix of cumin powder, red chilli powder and add salt. Stir nicely and put it in the refrigerator to chill
3.In a Karahi/ Pan heat 2 Tbsp oil and add in the tempering of mustard, jeera, hing, urad dal, dry red chilli and fry until golden in colour. Add in the Bhindi.

4. Fry the Bhindi on high flame for 2 mins, add salt and continue to saute. Keep at it until the Bhindi turns crisp(will shrink in size). Put off the stove and cool the Bhindi. Once cool the bhindi can be added to the chilled spiced curd.

 

 

5. Bhindi Raita is ready to serve. Serve it will Parathas, Biriyanis, Pulav’s or serve with Masala Rice( recipe in Rice section). Enjoy!

 

Notes:
1. Ensure you cool the fried Bhindi before you add it to the spiced curd mixture. If it is hot the curd will thin down.
2. Always fry Bhindi on high heat and constant stirring or else it can turn slimy.
3. If in case the Bhindi does turn slimy, then add either Idli Podi( gunpowder that’s used as an accompaniment for Idlis, Check recipes under Masala Powders) or Dal powder(check recipe under powders).
another tip is to cut Bhindi few hours prior and put it in the refrigerator for an hour or two. Remove it from the refrigerator and don’t thaw, put it in the Karahi directly.
3. why am I giving so many instructions on cooking the Bhindi?, because a crunchy Bhindi makes a good Raita.
If you tried this recipe and liked it, comment below. Would love to hear from you.