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Kadala curry is another traditional dish of Kerala. Kadala curry and Puttu is the best accompaniment. Kadala curry goes well with Appam, Dosa, Idly and Chapattis. I usually make Kadala curry for Appam and Puttu.

Ingredients
Brown Chickpeas - 1 cup (Also known as black chickpeas, Bengal gram,)
Onion - 1 no. chopped
Tomato - 1 no. chopped
Garlic - 2 nos. (Diced finely)
Ginger - 1 tbsp (diced finely)
Chilly - 1 no. slits
Coriander Leaves/ Cilantro - 2 sprigs (optional)
Curry Leaves - 1 sprig (optional)
Chole Masala - 1 tbsp
Red Chilly Powder - 1 tsp (optional, this adds the extra heat to the curry)
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala Powder - 1/2 tsp
Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
Coconut Milk - 1/4 cup (optional, this adds richness to the curry and thickens the gravy)
Salt - 1 1/2 tsp

How to make Kadala Curry 

1. Wash and soak the chickpeas overnight. Pressure cook with 2 cups of water in a medium flame for about 25 mins. Switch of the flame and let it cook for another 15 mins.
   2. After that open the pressure cooker and add the coconut milk and salt. Bring the cooked chickpeas to a boil. The adding of coconut milk is absolutely optional. If you want to thicken the gravy, take about 1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas and grind it to a paste and add the paste to the curry. Let the curry simmer for a while.
   3. In a hot pan, add oil and let the mustard seeds splutter.
   4. Add the onion and saute till it starts to turns into brown color. Add curry leaves, garlic and ginger and saute for another 1 min.
   5. Reduce the flame and add the chole masala, chilly powder and turmeric powder and saute for 30 secs.
   6. Add the tomatoes and chilly and bring the flame back to medium. Let the tomatoes cook till it blends well with the onion and spices. Finally add the chopped cilantro. Garnish it with coriander leaves
   7. Add this mixture to the simmering curry. Then add the garam masala powder. Let all the flavors blend in well for about 1 more min and then switch off the flame.  Cool for about 5 mins and serve hot...

            Serve it with Puttu, roti, rice, aapam..