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Home » Recipes » Side Dish For Idli and Dosa

Tomato Kurma-Thakkali Kurma Recipe

Last Modified: July 8, 2021

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Step by step guide to make Thakkali Kurma, a Tamil style accompaniment for Idli, Dosas or hot steamed rice.Tomato Kurma or Thakkali Kurma is a south Indian style curry made with fresh tomatoes. This is a vegan and gluten-free dish that pairs well with Idli, Dosa and Aapam.

Tomato kurma, a south Indian curry served in a black bowl

What is Tomato Kurma?

Kurma in India has many meanings. But it is mostly a medley of veggies or meat cooked in a sauce that has either dairy or nuts or coconut. In South India, Kurma is almost always synonymous with coconut. Most south Indian Kurma recipes call for adding fresh coconut. This tangy tomato kurma is a delightful concoction of ripe tomatoes and a fresh coconut and spice paste.

Jump to:
  • How to serve Thakkali kurma?
  • Thakkali Kurma- Method
  • Recipe Notes
  • Explore More Kurma Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

How to serve Thakkali kurma?

This yummy curry tastes great with Idli, dosa and even chapatis. But I do not see why this will not work well with hot rice and some Papads by the side.

I highly recommend trying this kurma with our soft no-ferment sponge dosas. 

Tomato kurma, a south Indian curry served in a black bowl

Thakkali Kurma- Method

Grinding the coconut paste

Place all grated coconut, poppy seeds, fennel seeds and green chili in a blender along with ¼ c water.

Blend to a smooth paste. Set aside.

Making the Tomato Kurma

Heat oil in a pan. Add the cloves and cinammon and saute for 30 secs. Add the turmeric powder, salt and chili powder and mix well. Now, add the onions and ginger garlic paste and saute till light brown. Add the tomatoes next and saute till they become mushy. Add 1 c water and allow this to simmer for 4 to 5 mins on medium flame. When done, add the ground paste and mix. Add about ½ cup water and mix again.

Cook on medium flame for about 5 mins. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Recipe Notes

The Kurma will be a lovely red if you choose ripe red tomatoes. You can also add Kashmiri chili powder in place of the regular chili powder for a vibrant red kurma.

Explore More Kurma Recipes

  • Chettinad Peas Kurma Recipe | Easy Side Dish Recipes
  • Carrot Peas Kurma Recipe
  • Noolkol Kuruma Recipe
  • Mixed Vegetable Kuruma

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for regular cooking updates and short videos. Find us on Pinterest for delicious content. Tried our South Indian Tomato Kurma? We value your thoughts and comments! Leave a comment and tell us how it worked for you. Email us your questions to anusapraj@gmail.com if you need any guidance in making this.

📖 Recipe

Tomato kurma, a south Indian curry served in a black bowl
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South Indian Tomato Kurma

Tomato Kurma; a tangy and lip smacking south Indian style curry made with ripe tomatoes
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Course: Accompaniment, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian, South Indian, Tamil
Servings: 3

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Saute pan

Ingredients

  • 2.25 c finely chopped ripe tangy tomatoes
  • 1 c finely chopped onions
  • 2 cloves
  • ½ inch cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Ground paprika red chili powder
  • 2 tablespoon Oil
  • 1.25 teaspoon Salt or to taste

To grind into a fine paste:

  • ½ c Grated fresh coconut
  • ½ tsp fennel seeds
  • ½ teaspoon Poppy seeds or khus khus substitute with 1 teaspoon cashew if you cannot source this
  • 4 slit Green chilies

Garnish:

  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped coriander leaves

Instructions

Grinding coconut paste

  • Place all grated coconut, poppy seeds, fennel seeds and green chili in a blender along with ¼ c water
  • Grind to a smooth paste and set aside.

Making the Tomato Kurma

  • Heat oil in a pan.
  • Add the cloves and cinammon and saute for 30 secs.
  • Now, add the onions and ginger garlic paste and saute till light brown.
  • Add the turmeric powder, salt and chili powder and mix well.
  • Add the tomatoes next and saute till they become mushy.
  • Add 1 c water, mix well and allow this to simmer for 4 to 5 mins on medium flame, letting the tomatoes break down fully.
  • Add the ground paste and mix.
  • Add about ½ cup water to dilute the kurma .
  • Simmer on medium flame for about 5 mins.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves.

For Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes

Instant Pot timings may vary based on your geographic location. Air fryer settings and timings may vary based on the capacity and the model of the Air fryer.

Disclaimer

Nutrition values are provided here as a courtesy and are only a rough guide. Please consult a health care provider if you have any concerns.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Priya Sreeram says

    October 10, 2012 at 10:52 am

    aah you are that diligent anu -numbering and dating- wow ! kurma must have tasted swell

    Reply
  2. Sanoli Ghosh says

    October 10, 2012 at 4:14 am

    Yummy and tangy tomato kurma…..love it.<br /><br />Today&#39;s recipe:<br />http://sanolisrecipies.blogspot.com/2012/10/roasted-chicken-drumsticks-tandoori.html<br />

    Reply
  3. Julie says

    October 09, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Yummy kuruma:)<br /><a href="http://erivumpuliyumm.blogspot.com/2012/10/announcing-ep-series-rosemary-or-sesame.html&quot; rel="nofollow">Join my ongoing EP events-Rosemary OR Sesame @ Now Serving</a>

    Reply
  4. Radhika says

    October 09, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    Ta Da and I find a post. Kurma is so simple and inviting Anu. Really feel like dunking in chappathis.

    Reply
  5. Roshni says

    October 09, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    yummm… welcome back 🙂

    Reply
  6. Priya R says

    October 09, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    looks so yum and perfect as a side dish<br /><br />Priya<br /><a href="http://cooklikepriya.blogspot.co.uk/&quot; rel="nofollow">Cook like Priya</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

    Reply
  7. Veena Theagarajan says

    October 09, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    yummy kuruma!My mum does it almost same.. I substitute coconut with soya milk<br /><br />great-secret-of-life.blogspot.com

    Reply

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Hi! I m Anusha. A very warm welcome to my blog Tomato Blues. I m an advocate by profession and chose to become a food blogger later. I live in Singapore with my husband and daughter. Tomato Blues – About The Author

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