Kollu Kurma

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 This kollu kurma is a delicious, creamy, spicy, protein-rich, vegan curry that is a perfect side to parottas, dosa, or any flatbreads.

Why kollu kurma?

This is a kurma that should be included in your meal plan often. NetMeds discusses its benefits in detail. There are a couple of reasons - one being that it is protein rich and the nutrient profile is AMAZING! The best in fact! 

Second, horse gram aka kollu (in Tamil), is well known for burning body fat, it helps in weight management. For ages, many families include this regularly in the diet from appetizers, curry, breakfast, or as a deep fried snack.

Next, this is a tasty kurma that you can make after using the cooked water for making Ulavacharu. I make these two together using one as the leftover for the other. 

Finally, this is a tasty side that is perfect to serve with parotta, chapathi, or dosa. These reasons are sure to convince anyone to try this in your menu.

Flavor of this kurma

This is a vegan kurma and the creaminess results from the cashews, coconuts, and poppy seed paste. These also add to the lovely flavors while thickening the kurma. Along with the simple spices, this is a very tasty side perfectly balanced in flavors. 

Roasting the spices, onions, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes and then grinding gives a creamier and tastier curry base. Cumin, coriander, and fennel give the characteristic flavors of the kurma that would make every bite a perfect one. The flavors in this curry, though simple ingredients are used, would make it more satisfying and you'll be tempted to eat more of this. The spicy, creamy kurma along with the texture from the horse gram makes it a well balanced one in flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Horse gram - the protein rich legume which forms the base of the curry.

Salt - gives flavor to the curry

Water - to cook the horse gram as well as to cook the curry

Turmeric - adds color to the curry and gives beneficial immune boosting properties.

Spices - spices like cinnamon, fennel, cardamom, star anise, cumin, coriander, cloves add a characteristic curry flavor to this recipe.

Coconut - enhances flavor and creaminess of the curry

Cashews and poppy seeds - gives the creaminess and nutty flavor to the curry

Ginger, garlic, onion - these give a base flavor to the curry

Tomatoes - enhances color and flavor of the curry. You can use any variety of tomato.

Serving Suggestions

This is a perfect side to parotta or dosa. My kids love this combo. It is great with whole wheat every day chapathi too as this is my preferred way of serving this curry. Not only this, but this curry is also perfect to serve with cooked grains, jeera pulao, or any pulao. 

Storage

You can keep the curry at room temperature for a few hours. However, depeneding on the tempearture of your region, for extended shelf life, I recommend storing in the refreigerator. You may store it up to 4-5 days. Warm the curry and serve with pulao or flatbreads.

In addition, I love this curry as you can freeze it upto six months. On busy days, i defrost the curry and serve with flatbreads thereby serving a delicious home cooked meal without spending a lot for takeouts.

More Horse gram Recipes

This well balanced flavorful horse gram curry loaded with nutrients is the perfect side that you are looking for! If you are looking for more horse gram or kollu recipes, try Sprouted Horsegram Idlies and Kale and Sprouted Horsegram Paniyaram. Whenever I make this Ulavacharu/Horsegram Rasam, I make this kurma and sundal with the cooked kollu.

More Curries

Lentils and legumes are protein rich and are a great ingredient to make curries for chapathi or dosa. We include many different varieties of lentils and legumes in our diet.

Lentils and legumes are nutrient rich and this Slow Cooker Rajma, Sprouts Paneer and Veggie Curry, Mughlai Moong Dal, Instant Pot Veggie Dal, and Kale and Navy Beans Curry are a few ones that you can try in addition to this kollu kurma. 
This kurma is vegan, but if you would love to try creamy curries like the paneer based ones, try these Zucchini Kofta Curry, Labne and Roasted Corn Masala, and Creamy Squash Masala that are quite different from the usual paneer curries but won't disappoint you in creamy and rich flavors.