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    Home » Instant Pot Recipes » Instant Pot Kadappa | Kumbakonam Kadappa

    Instant Pot Kadappa | Kumbakonam Kadappa

    Posted on November 9, 2018 · Last Updated on August 3, 2021 · By Srividhya G · 21 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Card Watch Recipe Video
    kumbakonam kadappa served with idli

    Delicious Kumbakonam Kadappa / Potato and Moong Dal Gravy or Stew – a famous regional recipe from Tamil Nadu prepared in Instant Pot, a perfect side dish for idli and dosa.

    how to make kadappa in instant pot

    Are you looking for a perfect side for idli, dosai, upma, roti other than sambar, chutney or kurma? Then look no further. Here comes the delicious Kumbakonam Kadappa / Potato and Moong Dal Gravy or Stew. Check out the Instant Pot version of popular kadappa with a detailed video and also the pressure cooker version below.

    Jump to:
    • Kumbakonam Kadappa
    • Preparing Kadappa in Instant Pot
    • Watch me make the kadappa
    • How to make kadappa in Instant Pot
    • How to make kadappa in stove-top pressure cooker
    • Recipe Notes
    • Explore other side dishes for idli and dosa
    • 📖 Recipe

    Kumbakonam Kadappa

    Kadappa is very popular in Kumbakonam (A famous temple town in the Tanjore District of Tamil Nadu State in India) and surrounding areas. Every area around the Tanjore side has its own Kadappa recipe version.

    One of my friends shared her Thiruvarur kadappa version which is comparatively thin in consistency than the Kumbakonam version. But both versions are super yummy.  They serve idli or dosai with kadappa, traditionally kadappa is paired with idli.

    Last year during our Kumbakonam trip, I was able to relish this dish more than once. I tried it in a couple of restaurants. As always I wanted to try this in my kitchen as well. I decrypted the recipe a bit and found the recipe at Sharmi’s passion which was very close as well. 

    I did change the ingredient portions and made it less garlicky.  This Instant Pot kadappa always reminds me of the Tirunelveli Sodhi. :-) Maybe because of the moong dal and potatoes.

    top angle of kumbakonam kadappa

    Preparing Kadappa in Instant Pot

    Kadapa recipe is super simple. We need to boil the potatoes and moong dal. Meanwhile, make the masala and cook everything together with simple onion tempering.  I have shared both the IP version and the pressure cooker version below.

    Advantage of “Delay Start”

    I usually cook the potatoes and moong dal in the IP before going to work.  Sometimes I do “delay start” as well. After the cooking part is complete, the IP goes to keep warm mode automatically.  As it doesn’t need any supervision, I happily turn the IP on before going to work.  In the evening, I peel the potatoes and prepare the masalas and do the tempering part alone.

    Option for making it as a one-pot dish

    But you can do the sautéing part first and then pressure cook the moong dal and the potatoes along with the masala. In this way, you avoid that additional pot rinsing and not much wait time as well. If you want to follow this way, then here are the steps.

    • First, do the tempering and saute the onions.
    • Add the ground paste and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Then add the moong dal, peeled and chopped potatoes and water. Pressure cook this for 5 minutes and let the pressure release naturally.

    Watch me make the kadappa

    Also, here is the detailed video of the Kumbakonam Kadappa. Please subscribe to my channel for new videos. Please like and share and help me spread the word.

    How to make kadappa in Instant Pot

    Cook the potatoes and moong dal

    • Chop the potatoes into two halves.
    • Rinse the moong dal once and add it to the IP.
    • Then place the chopped potatoes inside. I kept it upside down so that it won’t be wobbly.
    • Then add the ⅛th tsp of turmeric powder and 3 cups of water.
    • Set the IP in manual mode and pressure cook it under high pressure setting for five minutes and allow the pressure to release naturally.
    • Carefully remove the potatoes and the moong dal to another vessel and rinse the instant pot once.

    Prepare the kadappa gravy

    • Now set the pot back and keep it in the sauté mode and add the oil.
    • When the oil is hot, and then add the mustard seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, and the curry leaves torn into small pieces.
    • Allow the mustard seeds to splutter. Then add the chopped onion and cook until it is translucent.
    • Meanwhile make a paste of the coconut, green chilies, fennel seeds, and garlic by adding 2 to 3 tbsps of water. I used the moong dal stock water. But you can use regular water as well.
    • When the onion is soft and cooked, add the ground paste and mix well.
    • Add 2 tbsp of the moong dal water or regular water and allow this mix to cook for at least 5 minutes or until the raw smell goes away.
    • Parallelly, you can peel the skin of the potatoes and mash them roughly.
    • After 5 minutes, add the cooked moong dal, mashed potatoes, and the salt.
    • Mix thoroughly and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
    • And that’s it kadappa is ready. Garnish it with cilantro and serve it hot with idlis or dosai.

    How to make kadappa in stove-top pressure cooker

    • Pressure cook the moong dal and the potatoes for up to two whistles.
    • Let the pressure release naturally and when the pressure is released peel the potato skin and mash it roughly and also the dal.
    • Heat a pan or kadai and add the oil.
    • When the oil is hot, then add the mustard seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, and the curry leaves torn into small pieces.
    • Allow the mustard seeds to splutter. Then add the chopped onion and cook until it is translucent.
    • Meanwhile make a paste of the coconut, green chilies, fennel seeds, and garlic by adding 2 to 3 tbsps of water. I used the moong dal stock water. But you can use regular water as well.
    • When the onion is soft and cooked, add the ground paste and mix well.
    • Add 2 tbsp of the moong dal water or regular water and allow this mix to cook for at least 5 minutes or until the raw smell goes away.
    • After 5 minutes, add the cooked moong dal, mashed potatoes, and the salt.
    • Mix thoroughly and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
    • And that’s it kadappa is ready. Garnish it with cilantro and serve it hot with idlis or dosai.
    kumbakonam kadappa with idlis

    Recipe Notes

    • Adjust the salt and the green chilies according to your preference.
    • You can include about a tsp of roasted gram dal or pottukadalai while grinding the masala. It binds and helps in thick gravy.
    • Adjust the amount of water according to your consistency preference.

    Explore other side dishes for idli and dosa

    • Tiffin Sambar | Pasi Paruppu Sambar | Moong Dal Sambar
    • Peanut Chutney | Groundnut Chutney
    • Manjal Sambar | A Quick Tiffin Sambar with Chickpea Flour & Turmeric
    • Tomato Chutney | South Indian Tomato Chutney Without Garlic and Onion

    📖 Recipe

    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Instant Pot Kadappa | Kumbakonam Kadappa

    The delicious Kumbakonam Kadappa / Potato and Moong Dal Gravy or Stew – a famous regional recipe from Tamil Nadu prepared in Instant Pot.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Pressure Cooking + Releasing Time25 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: TamilNadu
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 146kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Ingredients

    To Pressure Cook:

    • ¼ cup Moong Dal
    • 3 Small Potatoes or two medium potatoes
    • ⅛ tsp Turmeric Powder
    • 3 cups Water

    To Sauté:

    • 1 tbsp Oil
    • 2 tsps Mustard Seeds
    • ½ inch Cinnamon
    • 3 Cloves
    • 1 Bay Leaf
    • 5 Curry Leaves
    • 1 Big Red Onion
    • 1.5 tsp Salt

    To Grind:

    • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
    • 4 tbsps Grated Coconut
    • 2 Garlic Cloves
    • 2 Green Chillies

    Instructions

    Instant Pot Method:

    • Chop the potatoes into two halves.
    • Rinse the moong dal once and add it to the IP.
    • Then place the chopped potatoes inside. I kept it upside down so that it won’t be wobbly.
    • Then add the ⅛th tsp of turmeric powder and 3 cups of water.
    • Set the IP in manual mode and pressure cook it under high pressure setting for five minutes and allow the pressure to release naturally.
    • Carefully remove the potatoes and the moong dal to another vessel and rinse the instant pot once.
    • Now set the pot back and keep it in the sauté mode and add the oil.
    • When the oil is hot, and then add the mustard seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, and the curry leaves torn into small pieces.
    • Allow the mustard seeds to splutter. Then add the chopped onion and cook until it is translucent.
    • Meanwhile make a paste of the coconut, green chilies, fennel seeds, and garlic by adding 2 to 3 tbsps of water. I used the moong dal stock water. But you can use regular water as well.
    • When the onion is soft and cooked, add the ground paste and mix well.
    • Add 2 tbsp of the moong dal water or regular water and allow this mix to cook for at least 5 minutes or until the raw smell goes away.
    • Parallelly, you can peel the skin of the potatoes and mash them roughly.
    • After 5 minutes, add the cooked moong dal, mashed potatoes, and the salt.
    • Mix thoroughly and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
    • And that’s it kadappa is ready. Garnish it with cilantro and serve it hot with idlis or dosai.

    Pressure Cooker Method:

    • Pressure cook the moong dal and the potatoes for up to two whistles.
    • Let the pressure release naturally and when the pressure is release peel the potato skin and mash it roughly and also the dal.
    • Heat a pan or kadai and add the oil.
    • When the oil is hot, then add the mustard seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, and the curry leaves torn into small pieces.
    • Allow the mustard seeds to splutter. Then add the chopped onion and cook until it is translucent.
    • Meanwhile make a paste of the coconut, green chilies, fennel seeds, and garlic by adding 2 to 3 tbsps of water. I used the moong dal stock water. But you can use regular water as well.
    • When the onion is soft and cooked, add the ground paste and mix well.
    • Add 2 tbsp of the moong dal water or regular water and allow this mix to cook for at least 5 minutes or until the raw smell goes away.
    • After 5 minutes, add the cooked moong dal, mashed potatoes, and the salt.
    • Mix thoroughly and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
    • And that’s it kadappa is ready. Garnish it with cilantro and serve it hot with idlis or dosai.

    Video

    Notes

    • Adjust the salt and the green chilies according to your preference.
    • You can include about a tsp of roasted gram dal or pottukadalai while grinding the masala. It binds and helps in thick gravy.
    • Adjust the amount of water according to your consistency preference.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 772mg | Potassium: 381mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 33.5mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1.4mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

    PS: Updated the post with new pictures, video and the instant pot method. 
    Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 56

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    Filed Under: Gravy, Instant Pot Recipes, Side Dishes For Idli-Dosa Tagged With: Blogging Marathon, how to make kadappa in instant pot, Instant Pot Indian Recipes, instant pot kumbakonam kadappa, Kumbakonam Kadappa, Moong dhal potato gravy, side dishes for tiffin, sides for idli and dosa

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hitika Sujanani says

      November 12, 2018 at 5:45 am

      Hi…excellent recipe and for sure will try this out… the YouTube video made it alot more easy.
      Thank u?
      Could you please do video on vegetables kurma and tomato kurma.
      Now days back home in Coimbatore I here many cooking tomato kurma served with appams. Honestly m not getting the correct recipe for the tomato kurma.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        November 12, 2018 at 8:10 am

        Thanks a lot. Will definitely post more kurma recipes in the upcoming weeks. Thanks much for the support and feedback.

        Reply
    2. Suma Gandlur says

      September 28, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      I also yet to try it. Seems like a simple yet flavorful side dish.

      Reply
    3. themadscientistskitchen says

      September 27, 2015 at 4:21 am

      This is new to me. It sounds delicious.

      Reply
    4. Pavani says

      September 26, 2015 at 7:13 pm

      That is such an interesting dish with potato and moong dal. Looks so delicious.

      Reply
    5. Sneha datar says

      September 22, 2015 at 6:35 am

      Its delicious and easy to make too.

      Reply
    6. Srivalli says

      September 21, 2015 at 3:33 am

      Yes I have heard about this so often that I am tempted to try this myself!

      Reply
    7. Sandhiya says

      September 18, 2015 at 8:52 am

      Heard about this recipe a lot, yet to try on my own.Well made & nicely presented.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 18, 2015 at 8:49 pm

        Thanks a lot sandhiya

        Reply
    8. Traditionally Modern Food says

      September 13, 2015 at 9:41 pm

      Kalakra Sri.. I missed ur series.. This s my favorite.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 14, 2015 at 6:50 am

        ha ha Thanks a lot vids

        Reply
    9. harini says

      September 13, 2015 at 5:34 pm

      It has been on my to-do list for a very long time now. Sounds very flavorful.

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 14, 2015 at 6:51 am

        Thanks Harini.

        Reply
    10. usha says

      September 12, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      This is a new recipe and the preparation is interesting, cooking dal and potatoes together. Looks delicious

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 12, 2015 at 9:02 pm

        Thanks Usha do give it a try.

        Reply
    11. cookingwithsapana says

      September 12, 2015 at 10:17 am

      This sounds very comforting meal.Lovely..

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 12, 2015 at 1:37 pm

        Thanks Sapana

        Reply
    12. Padma says

      September 12, 2015 at 9:39 am

      This one is still in my to do list thanks for the recipe looks yummm….

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 12, 2015 at 1:40 pm

        Give it a try Padma. It comes out really well

        Reply
    13. Aruna Panangipally says

      September 12, 2015 at 8:19 am

      This is something I would love to try!

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        September 12, 2015 at 1:40 pm

        Give it a try Aruna.. I am sure you will love it

        Reply

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