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Kadhi Pakora

Crispy chickpea fritters swimming in a tangy yogurt gravy seasoned with curry leaves — kadhi chawal, the ultimate North Indian lunch.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 LunchCategory
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Kadhi chawal, yogurt curry over rice, is the ultimate comfort lunch in North India, especially in Punjab and Rajasthan, where it is made on slow afternoons and festive days alike. A tangy yogurt gravy is thickened with chickpea flour and simmered with curry leaves, then loaded with crispy onion pakoras. It is a dish of contrasts: sour and savory, crisp and silky, all in one bowl.

Tangy yogurt gravy with crisp fritters hidden inside

The kadhi is silky and tangy, with a gentle warmth from turmeric, mustard seeds, and a tempering of curry leaves that perfumes the whole pot. The pakoras soak up the gravy at the edges while staying crisp in the middle, giving every spoonful a surprise. Ladled over hot rice, it is the kind of meal that tastes like a slow Sunday. The tang of yogurt and the crunch of pakoras make it endlessly comforting, and it only gets better as it sits.

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Step by stepInstructions

  1. Make the pakora batter: mix the chopped onion with 6 tablespoons of the chickpea flour, ajwain, red chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Add a splash of water to make a thick, shaggy batter.
  2. Heat the oil in a small pan to 350°F. Fry small spoonfuls of the batter until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes, then drain on paper towels. Set aside.
  3. In a large pot, whisk together the yogurt, remaining 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour, turmeric, salt, and water until completely smooth.
  4. Heat the ghee in a small pan over medium heat. Add the cumin and mustard seeds and let them pop, then add the asafetida and curry leaves and cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Pour the tempering into the yogurt mixture and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring often, for 20 minutes, until the kadhi thickens slightly.
  6. Just before serving, slide the pakoras into the hot kadhi and let them soak for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot over steamed rice.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Whisk the yogurt and chickpea flour until completely lump-free; a smooth base keeps the kadhi silky. Drop the pakoras in just before serving so they stay crisp.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryLunch
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →