Maharashtrian kadhi is a quick yogurt and gram flour based sauce or kadhi made without pakoras. Tempered with spices and a bit sweet. It is best served with some steamed rice and makes for a simple summer meal.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 3 minutes
  • Cook time: 12 minutes
  • Total time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 3 · 3 to 4
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Indian, Maharashtrian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup curd ((yogurt) - fresh or sour full-fat curd)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons besan ((gram flour or chickpea flour))
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon ghee ((clarified butter) or oil)
  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (- optional)
  • 1 or 2 green chilies, (slit)
  • ½ inch ginger, (made into a paste or minced or grated)
  • 5 to 6 curry leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 2 pinches asafoetida ((hing))
  • salt as required
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar or add as required
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves ((cilantro leaves))

Method

making curd mixture

  1. Mix together curd, water and gram flour in a bowl.
  2. Using a wired whisk, mix the batter so well so that no lumps are there.

tempering maharashtrian kadhi

  1. Heat ghee or oil in a pan. Add the mustard and let them crackle.
  2. Then add the cumin. Stir and add the green chilies, ginger and curry leaves.
  3. Saute for a few seconds. Add the turmeric powder and asafoetida.

making maharashtrian kadhi

  1. Stir and then add the yogurt+water+gram flour mixture. Season with salt and sugar. Stir very well.
  2. Let the kadhi come to a gentle simmer.
  3. Continue to simmer till the kadhi becomes slightly thick. Stir at intervals.
  4. If you cook more it will become more thick. So depending on the consistency you prefer, you can simmer the kadhi accordingly.
  5. Check the taste and then add more salt or sugar if required.
  6. Lastly, garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
  7. Serve the maharashtrian kadhi hot with steamed rice or mung dal khichdi topped with a bit of ghee along with papad and pickle.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.