Kollu masala curry, a delicious gravy made with horse-gram also know as kulith. Soft cooked horse-gram is flavored with a freshly ground masala with coconut and green chilies.
Horse-gram coconut masala, a rich gravy pairs well with rice and flatbreads too.
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Roti for Lunch
I make roti almost every other day, either for lunch or for dinner. Both my kiddos love to eat roti for their lunch box. My lil one prefers it with labneh/curd cheese, and my elder one loves it with a spicy side.
With so many roti days, I definitely have to look for different curries. My hubby is a happy soul with this capsicum paneer subzi, Tandori Cauliflower subzi or this vibrant green peas masala with peanuts .
Both my kids are happy with just paneer subzi or a lip-smacking chilli paneer. But there all time favorite is aloo ke jhol.
Some delicious gravy to pair with Roti
Kollu Masala Story
When you have interest in cooking, you have a crazy energy to try new things, with that same crazy energy I once tried something new, with horse-gram/kulith/kollu. It was a such a disaster, my hubby begged me not to make that side again.
Horse-gram has different taste, more earthy, to put it decent, which many might not like. I found cooking with baking soda, cuts that sharp taste. The day I made this coconut masala for lunch, kids and my parents were at home, and they all had an extra serving of the curry, my elder one liked it so much, that he licked the bowl clean.
No, i m not exaggerating any part here. 😇 This is a perfect curry that goes well with rice. It can also be paired with roti. Do try and let me know how you liked it.
How to make this Kollu Coconut Masala Curry
Please check the Recipe card below for the exact measurements and detailed instructions on how to make this delicious curry.
- Horse-gram or kulith needs to be soaked for a minimum of 8 hours.
- Drain the soaked dal, wash it once in running water. Add fresh water and 2 pinches of baking soda to this and pressure cook for 4-5 whistles.
- Once done, let the pressure fall on its own. While horse-gram is pressure cooking, soak the cashewnuts in warm water for 15 minutes.
- Let us make the masala by grinding coconut, soaked cashewnuts, chilies, coriander leaves and ginger with little water.
- Heat a pan, add tempering of mustard, cumin, curry leaves and chilies. Add the cooked dal to this and the ground masala, top it with ¼ cup water and enough salt.
- Let this cook for 8-10 minutes for the flavors to mingle. Take it off heat, serve it warm with rice or roti.
Recipe Card for Horse-gram Coconut Masala
Kollu Masala Curry| Horse-gram Coconut Masala
Ingredients
- ¾ cup horsegram/Kulith/Kollu
- 2 pinches of baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt or as per taste
- 2 pinches of turmeric powder
- 1 to mato finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt for the masala
For the masala
- ½ cup freshly grated coconut
- 2 nos green chilies
- 4-5 nos cashewnuts
- a small piece of ginger
- handful of fresh coriander leaves
Tempering
- 2-3 teaspoon of oil i prefer coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1-2 nos red chilies broken (optional) Add according to your spice level
- 4-5 nos curry leaves torn into pieces
Instructions
- Soak the horsegram overnight in water or atleast a minimum of 8 hours. Next day, drain all the soaked water from the dal.
- Take horse gram in a pressure cooker, add enough water, baking soda,salt and turmeric powder to the dal. Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles or until soft.
- While the horsegram is cooking, soak cashewnuts in hot water for 15 minutes.
- Let the pressure release on its own. Once done, drain the water. keep the dal aside.
- Now let us prepare the masala. In a mixer, grind together coconut, soaked cashewnuts, chilies, ginger and coriander. Add ¼ cup of water and grind this to a smooth paste. If you need more water, add another 1 or 2 tablespoon not more than that.
- Heat a pan with coconut oil, splutter mustard seeds, crackle cumin seeds, add curry leaves and red chilies. Add chopped tomatoes to this and saute until they turn mushy.
- Now add the ground masala to this and the cooked horsegram dal. Add ½ cup water to this and salt. Let this simmer for few minutes, until the masala flavors blends well with the dal and the curry thickens.
- Once done, garnish with fresh corinader leaves and serve warm with steaming hot rice or alongside roti.
Disclaimer
I m not a Doctor or a Nutritionist The Nutrition information provided above comes from the plugin and is only an estimate.
Serve this delicious kollu coconut masala warm with rice or roti. It tastes delish with with both.
This rich kollu curry packs well in lunch boxes. The curry might thicken a bit as it rest. Add little warm water to adjust consistency and spices accordingly.
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Unknown
Kollu masala kolludhu priya !! such an amazing recipe I have never tried adding baking soda to kollu . Such an amazing curry priya, This is such an aromatic curry, That is perfect way to validate a recipe with elders around. Am not exaggerating as well priya you are rocking with your amazing experiments !! When ever I come here that gooseberry capture on the right is so tempting , torture pannuradhuke vachirukeengala 😀 just Kidding 🙂
Srividhya
kollu masala kolludhu priya... epadi manjula ipadi??? 😉
Padmajha
Haha yes,sometimes our experiments in the kitchen are not taken well by the people at home!!We make kollu kadaiyal but somehow we are used to that taste. Now I will try to add baking soda and see if any one notices the change in taste. This one is a nice recipe priya. Will try it out as a side for Roti.
Sandhiya
Kollu Masala rocks, Priya. That's an useful tip for adding baking soda to cut out that sharp taste, will give it a try on that next time. I second Manjula, it's an amazing experiment with kollu, never i would thought of making such curries with kollu. Good share !!!
Harini R
That is a super tip, Priya. Adding baking soda while cooking horse gram. I have a coconut based kurma lined up sometime and we simply love the flavor of coconut in gravies. So I am sure this one would be a hit at home as well. Bookmarked!
Priya Suresh
This kollu masala is definitely my kind of food, i can even finish that bowl just like that. And love that useful tip of adding baking soda, will try out next time definitely. Fingerlicking masala there.
Gayathri Kumar
That is a new trick for cooking horse gram. And it looks fabulous with rice. I am sure it goes well with any flat breads. I once tried something with kollu and with all the negative feedback I got, I never even went near that aisle in the supermarket.
Sharmila kingsly
Love kollu in any form,Have tried Rasam and Sundal.. They gravy sounds yummy ..Must try..
Srividhya
Kitchen experiments always have crazy outcomes at my place also. 😉 Good to know the trick of cooking kollu with with baking soda. Thanks for sharing this amazing tip and the recipe.
Srivalli
Wow Priya, this is surely a fantastic take on this lentil!..We have mostly cooked horsegram as chaaru or as sundal, this masala curry sounds so delicious..will surely make it..
Seema Sriram
This kollu masala is creamy and delicious. Just like you have in the photographs i enjoyed it with white steamed rice.
vaishali sabnani
We make rotis for both the meals and really it is a task deciding on the curry, I like the idea of this horse gram curry and can definitely add it to the regular menu. The curry sounds delicious.
Pavani
That is a lovely curry with horse gram Priya. Looks so creamy and delicious. I don’t cook much with horse gram but your curry and the feedback from your family is tempting me to give it a try.
cookingwithsapana
I am yet to try horsegram in my kitchen , I wonder why I haven’t used it yet. Would make a perfect pairing with roti .
Mayuri Patel
The curry looks delicious. I've yet to taste and make a dish using horse gram as I don't get it here. Sometimes even my hubby will beg not to repeat a dish that I've tried for the first time and he's not liked it.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
The kollu masala looks so tempting and thanks for the great tip on using baking soda when cooking. I am in love with kollu and would love to use more of it for its health benefit. Bookmarking the recipe.
preeti garg
Horsegram curry looks so healthy and protein rich curry.. perfect with rice.
Suma Gandlur
Love this protein packed side dish that also happens to be onion-garlic free.
Mayuri Patel
Priya, love this coconut and cashew nut loaded way of preparing horse gram. Looks so creamy and inviting. Going to give this kola masala curry a try as soon as I get some fresh coconut.
Jayashree T.Rao
I have had the sundal and rasam earlier but not the curry. The curry looks good and ideal to pair with hot rotis. Will make it soon.
Kalyani
come winter / rainy I am sure to try this out priya. the gravy looks awesome, and for those of them who turn up their nose at the earthy texture / smell of kollu this is a sure win !
Preethicuisine
Kollu masala curry sounds so innovative. Would love to try this interesting curry Priya. The curry looks absolutely lip smacking with all the coconut going in.
MIna Joshi
Kollu masala looks delicious. I love the way you have whole horsegram rather than mashing it . Often people blend it to make it like soup. I prefer to have this style with rice.