KUMBAKONAM KADAPPA RECIPE/கும்பகோணம் கடப்பா-SIDE DISH FOR IDLI DOSA

Kumbakonam Kadappa as the title says, it is a very famous side dish recipe for idli, dosa in Kumbakonam, Thiruvarur & Thanjavur district, Tamil nadu. It tastes more like kurma but its consistency is between sambar and kurma. I have tasted this once in Sendhil’s uncle’s house in Kumbakonam.

Long back I tried two versions & posted here too. But this recipe is the authentic, restaurant style one from Chef, Master Ravi of  the famous “Vaasan cafe”, Thiruvarur, Kumbakonam. I took this recipe from Aval vikatan Magazine. Last month I prepared this when my in-laws were here. We all loved it & relished with idli. I have tried this many times after that.

The color of kadappa is usually white. In some hotels/restaurants, they make with or without tomato, carrot. Even the recipe given the book had carrot and tomato. So I tried two versions. Hope U can find the difference in color in pictures. Do try any based on your liking. I am sure you’ll love this mildly spiced, kurma like gravy for idli, dosa. Procedure seems a bit lengthy. But its worthy to try. Lets see how to make restaurant style kumbakonam kadappa recipe with step by step pictures.

Kadappa with tomato & carrot

Kumbakonam/Thanjavur kadappa recipe

Kumbakonam/Thanjavur kadappa recipe Kumbakonam/Thanjavur kadappa recipe – Authentic recipe from a chef. A tasty side dish for idli,dosa!

Cuisine: Indian
Category: Side dish
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 40 Minutes

INGREDIENTS
1 cup – 240ml

To pressure cook

  • Yellow moong dal – 1/4 cup
  • Potato – 1 no
  • Water – as needed
  • Oil – a drop

To powder

  • Cinnamon – 1 inch piece
  • Fennel – 1/2 tsp
  • Garlic cloves – 5 nos

To saute

  • Oil – 1 tsp
  • Green chilli – 4- 5 
  • Fried gram dal /Pottukadalai – 2 tsp

To grind with above

  • Grated coconut – 1/4 cup
  • Khus-Khus/Poppy seeds – 1 tsp
  • Soambu/Fennel seeds – 1 tsp
  • Garlic cloves – 5 nos
  • Ginger – 1 inch piece

To temper & saute

  • Oil – 2 tbsp
  • Cloves – 2 nos
  • Biryani leaf / bay leaf – 1 no
  • Star anise – 1 no
  • Small onion – 10 nos OR Big onion – 1 
  • Garlic cloves – 10 nos
  • Tomato – 1 no (optional)
  • Curry leaves – few
  • Carrot – 1 no (small,optional)
  • Mint, coriander leaves – 2 tbsp
  • Lemon juice – few drops
HOW TO MAKE KADAPPA – METHOD

  • Pressure cook moong dal adding required water & a drop of oil. Keep a whole potato inside it. Cook them for one whistle in low flame. Remove, peel the potato skin & cut into cubes. Mash the dal & set aside.

kadappa tile1

  • In a kadai, heat a tsp of oil & saute the green chillies & fried gram dal. Take this in a mixie jar & add grated coconut, ginger, garlic cloves, poppy seeds & fennel seeds. Grind everything to a smooth paste adding required water. Set aside.
  • Crush the cinnamon, fennel & garlic cloves & set aside. In the same kadai, heat 2 tbsp of oil. Saute cloves,star anise,cardamom and biryani leaf.

kadappa tile2

  • Now add the crushed cinnamon powder. Then add onions, garlic cloves & saute till transparent. Now add tomatoes & saute for a minute. No need to become mushy. Adding tomato & carrot is optional.
  • Add sliced carrots, saute well. Add water to cook the carrots and cover cook for few minutes.

kadappa tile3

  • After the carrots are cooked well, add the ground coconut paste and cooked moong dal. Boil for sometime. Check for salt. Add the potato cubes, allow the gravy to boil till thickens slightly. 
  • Before removing, add the chopped coriander and mint leaves. Give one boil and switch off the flame.

kadappa tile4
kadappa tile5

  • Add lemon juice and Serve with hot idlies !


I served it with Oats Barely idli !


Note

  • This gravy would thicken after it cools down.So make it slightly watery.
  • Adding tomato & carrots are optional. I have not seen them in the kadappa I tasted in kumbakonam restaurants. But I added as it was mentioned in the recipe.
  • To make it white, omit tomato & carrots. Add more green chillies if you want it more spicy.
Enjoy this Kumbakonam kadappa for idli,dosa with  Kumbakonam degree coffee !

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27 thoughts on “KUMBAKONAM KADAPPA RECIPE/கும்பகோணம் கடப்பா-SIDE DISH FOR IDLI DOSA”

  1. Lincyscookart

    Have not tried or even tasted this dish. But seems like Kerala Olan made with Colacasia and Moong Dhal except the addition of Raw garam masala. Must be a very tasty dish will try some time:) Wonderful pictures too dear.

  2. Kadappa nu pera ketathum aga etho sweet nu nenachen.I never heard the name kadappa before .This look so yummy and second one with tomato looks more more yummy..

  3. My father grew up in Thiruvarur, he should be knowing this Vaasan Cafe, I should surprise him with this kadappa, looks delicious..

  4. A little variation on festival days, I omit garlic and use few cashew nut ,khus khus and fresh coconut (soak in water) gives rich taste and not strong garam masala, except for bay leave.. It tastes good…

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