International Cuisine

Chettinadu Kollu Thogayal (Horsegram Chutney) – Healthy & Spicy South Indian Side Dish

Published
Jan 15, 2025
Reading time
2 min
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Description:
Chettinadu Style Kollu Thogayal is a flavorful chutney or side dish made with the nutritious horsegram (kollu). The lentil is cooked and mixed with the bold and aromatic Chettinadu spices, making it both healthy and delicious.

Cuisine: Chettinad
Course: Side Dish
Diet: High Protein Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Horse Gram Dal (Kollu/Kulith)
  • 3 Dry Red Chillies
  • 10 cloves Garlic
  • 20 grams Tamarind (gooseberry-sized)
  • 1 medium Onion (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Whole Black Peppercorns
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons Oil (for cooking)
  • 1 teaspoon Oil (for tempering)
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds (Rai/Kadugu)
  • 1 sprig Curry leaves

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Instructions

  1. Roast the Horsegram (Kollu): Dry roast the kollu (horse gram dal) in a heavy-bottomed pan on low flame for a few minutes. Once it releases a roasted aroma, switch off the flame and let it cool.

  2. Cook the Kollu: Transfer the roasted kollu to a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the kollu. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. After the pressure releases naturally, drain the excess water into a bowl. You can save this kollu water to make rasam or add it when grinding the chutney.

  3. Prepare the Spice Mixture: Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add cumin seeds and whole black peppercorns. Once they splutter, add dry red chillies, garlic, and chopped onion. Sauté the mixture until the onion turns translucent. Add tamarind and switch off the flame. Allow this mixture to cool.

  4. Grind the Chutney: Once the spice mixture cools down, add it to a blender along with the cooked kollu and required salt. Add a little filtered kollu water if needed, and grind everything into a coarse paste.

  5. Prepare the Tempering: In a small pan, heat 1 teaspoon oil. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Allow them to crackle, then pour the tempering over the chutney and mix well.

  6. Serve: Serve your Chettinadu Style Kollu Thogayal with hot rice, homemade ghee, and Veppam Poo Rasam for a fulfilling and flavorful meal.

Enjoy this hearty side dish that combines healthful ingredients with the robust flavors of Chettinadu cuisine!