Tamil Nadu Black Eyed Beans & Drumstick Curry (Karamani Murungakkai Kuzhambu)

Tamil Nadu Style Karamani Murungakkai Kuzhambu (Black Eyed Beans & Drumstick Curry)

This traditional Tamil Nadu-style curry, Karamani Murungakkai Kuzhambu, features a flavorful combination of black-eyed beans (lobia) and drumsticks, cooked without coconut. The dish is enriched with a smooth, aromatic onion paste and whole spices, creating a hearty and nourishing meal. Rich in vitamin A and dietary fibers, this dish is both healthy and satisfying.

Cuisine: Tamil Nadu
Course: Lunch
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Black Eyed Beans (Lobia), soaked for 2 hours
• 1 Drumstick, cut into 2-inch strips
• 1 cup Pearl onions (Sambar onions)
• 4 cloves Garlic, crushed
• 1 Cinnamon stick (Dalchini)
• 2 Cloves (Laung)
• 1 Cardamom (Elaichi) pod/seed
• 1 teaspoon Whole black peppercorns, crushed
• 1 teaspoon Coriander powder (Dhania)
• 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, for cooking

For Onion Paste:

• 1 Onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds (Saunf)
• 2 Dry red chilies

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Instructions:

1. Cook Beans and Drumsticks:
   In a pressure cooker, cook the black-eyed beans and drumsticks with 1/4 cup of water and salt for about 2 whistles. Release the pressure naturally and set aside.

2. Prepare the Onion Paste:
   Heat a skillet with oil. Fry the chopped onions, fennel seeds, and dry red chilies until golden brown. Let the mixture cool, then grind it into a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Spices:
   In a kadai (wok), heat some oil and fry the whole spices (cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and peppercorns) for a few seconds until fragrant. Add the pearl onions and garlic and sauté until they turn translucent.

4. Simmer the Curry:
   Add the ground onion paste along with the coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt. Stir well and add 1 cup of water. Once mixed, add the cooked beans and drumsticks. Stir gently, cover, and simmer for at least 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

5. Serve:
   Serve the Tamil Nadu Style Karamani Murungakkai Kuzhambu hot with rice, dry fry keema balls (spicy chicken keema balls), and Thakkali Rasam (South Indian tomato rasam) for a complete and satisfying meal.

Enjoy the comforting and flavorful taste of this South Indian delicacy!