Dosa and idli are everyday tiffin favorites in many South Indian homes and are commonly served for breakfast or dinner. This Chettinad-style gravy is a little different from the usual chutneys and sambars served with them.
Onion, tomato, coconut, roasted chana dal, coriander leaves, and green chilies are sautéed and ground into a smooth gravy, then finished with cinnamon and curry leaves for a simple but flavorful side dish.
Dosa Kulambu / Idli Kulambu
Recipe Details
Gravy / Tiffin Side Dish
Chettinad / Tamil Nadu
Sashi
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
2
Ingredients
- Onion – 1, chopped
- Green chilies – 6, chopped or slit
- Tomatoes – 2, chopped
- Roasted chana dal / Pottukadalai – 1 tbsp
- Grated coconut – 1/4 cup
- Coriander leaves – 1/4 cup
- Salt – to taste
- Oil – 3 tbsp, divided
- Cinnamon stick – 1
- Curry leaves – 1 sprig
- Water – as needed, to adjust the gravy consistency
Preparation
- Chop the onion, green chilies, and tomatoes.
- Keep the coconut, roasted chana dal, coriander leaves, cinnamon, and curry leaves ready.
Cooking Instructions
- Heat most of the measured oil in a pan over medium heat, reserving a little for the final tempering.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and lightly golden.
- Add the green chilies, grated coconut, and chopped tomatoes.
- Cook until the tomatoes become soft and pulpy.
- Add the roasted chana dal and coriander leaves.
- Fry for about 30 seconds, then remove from the heat.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Add salt and grind into a smooth paste, adding a little water only as needed.
- Heat the reserved oil in another pan.
- Add the cinnamon stick and curry leaves and fry for about 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Add the ground mixture.
- Add enough water to bring it to your preferred gravy consistency.
- Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust the salt if needed, then remove from the heat.
Tips
Spice Level: The original recipe uses 6 green chilies, so this gravy can be quite spicy. Reduce the quantity according to your preference.
Roasted Chana Dal: Pottukadalai helps thicken the gravy and gives it a smooth, creamy texture without requiring a large amount of coconut.
Consistency: Keep the gravy slightly thick for serving with idli and dosa, adding water gradually after grinding.
Garam Masala Variation: A little garam masala can be added for a stronger aromatic flavor. Since the original recipe does not specify a quantity, add it sparingly to taste.
Serving Suggestion
Serve Dosa Kulambu hot with idli, dosa, paniyaram, or other South Indian tiffin dishes.






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