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Punjabi Kadhi

Punjabi Kadhi

217kcal
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Prep 15 minutes
Cook 1 hour
Total 1 hour 15 minutes
A comforting North Indian classic, Punjabi Kadhi is a tangy yogurt-based curry thickened with gram flour (besan) and infused with warm, aromatic spices. Often served with crispy onion fritters (pakoras) and steamed Basmati rice, this dish offers a delicious balance of creamy, savory, and slightly tangy flavors.
Servings 6 servings
Course Entree
Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

For the Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Oil
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
  • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
  • 1/4 cup Gram flour besan
  • 1.5 cups Yogurt preferably slightly sour yogurt
  • 1 Onion small size, sliced
  • 1/2 tbsp Ginger chopped
  • 1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
  • 1/8 tsp Asafetida pinch of hing
  • 2 Green chilies adjust to taste
  • 1 Potato optional, cut into 1/2″ cubes
  • 1 sprig Curry leaves
  • 4 Dried Red Chillies optional
  • 2 tsp Salt adjust to taste
For the Fritters
  • 1/2 cup Onions coarsely diced
  • Green chillies add to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
  • 3/4 tsp Carom Seeds
  • 1 cup Gram flour besan
  • Pinch Baking Soda
  • Salt
  • Oil for frying the fritters
  • 1/2 cup Water adjust as needed

Method

Fritters (Pakoras)
  1. Prepare the Batter: In a bowl, combine gram flour, onions, green chilies, coriander powder, carom seeds, baking soda, and salt.
    Punjabi Kadhi Pakoras Batter, Besan, Gram flour
  2. Add water gradually, mixing continuously to form a thick batter.
    Punjabi Kadhi Pakoras Batter, Besan, Gram flour
    3. Add water little by little as this helps control consistency and prevents a runny batter.
  3. Fry the Fritters: Heat oil over medium heat. Test by dropping a small amount of batter - it should sizzle and rise immediately. Drop small portions of batter into the oil without overcrowding.
    Punjabi Kadhi Pakoras, Fritters
  4. Fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown.
    Punjabi Kadhi, Fritters, Pakoras
    5. Maintain medium heat so the fritters cook through without burning. If the oil is too hot then the outside will cook faster than the inside.
  5. Drain: Remove fritters and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
    Punjabi Kadhi, Pakoras, Fritters
Make the Kadhi Sauce
  1. Prepare Yogurt Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together yogurt, gram flour, turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder, ginger-garlic paste, salt, and 2 cups water until smooth.
    Punjabi Kadhi
  2. Add another 2 cups water and mix well.
    Punjabi Kadhi
    3. Whisk thoroughly to ensure there are no lumps.
  3. Temper the Spices: Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, green chilies, asafetida, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Let them sizzle.
    Punjabi Kadhi, Cumin Seeds, Fenugreek Seeds, Mustard Seeds, Curry leaves, Asafoetida
    4. Proper sizzling releases essential oils and builds the base flavor.
  4. Build the Base: Add chopped ginger and sauté for about 1 minute. Add sliced onions and cook until translucent (5–6 minutes).
    Punjabi Kadhi, Potatoes, Ginger, Onions, Cumin Seeds, Mustard Seeds, Fenugreek Seeds
  5. Add Potatoes (Optional): Add cubed potatoes.
    Punjabi Kadhi, Potatoes
  6. After adding the potatoes, sauté briefly for about a minute.
    Punjabi Kadhi, Potatoes, Onions
  7. Add Yogurt Mixture: Whisk the yogurt mixture again and pour it into the pan. Stir continuously to prevent curdling and lumps. Bring to a boil.
    Punjabi Kadhi
    8. Keep stirring, especially in the early stages, to stabilize the sauce.
  8. Simmer the Kadhi: Cook for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth and slightly runny. Check that potatoes are tender.
    Punjabi Kadhi
    9. The kadhi will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
  9. Serve: Add fritters to the sauce just before serving, or serve them on the side. Enjoy hot with steamed Basmati rice.
    Punjabi Kadhi, Pakoras

Nutrition

Calories217kcalCarbohydrates25gProtein9gFat9gSaturated Fat2gPolyunsaturated Fat2gMonounsaturated Fat4gTrans Fat0.02gCholesterol8mgSodium879mgPotassium479mgFiber5gSugar9gVitamin A424IUVitamin C54mgCalcium111mgIron2mg

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