Sindhi classic · Tamarind tang
Sindhi Kadhi Recipe (Tangy Besan and Vegetable Curry)
Roast the besan. Tamarind, not yoghurt. Vegetables in stages.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenSindhi kadhi is a tangy, vegetable-packed curry thickened with roasted besan and soured with tamarind and tomato instead of yoghurt. It tastes raw and floury when the besan is not roasted. The fix is roasting the besan in oil until fragrant and golden, simmering long, and adding vegetables in order of cooking time.
The 3 laws of sindhi kadhi
Why this recipe works
Raw besan
Nutty, no raw taste.
Yoghurt
Sindhi sourness.
All together
Each cooks right.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Kadhi
The NineFoods besan gauge
Is the besan roasted?
Smell and look.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Roast
- Crackle seeds and curry leaves, add besan and roast. Use the gauge above.
Simmer
- Whisk in water and tomato; add spices and potatoes, carrots and drumsticks.
Finish
- Add okra and beans, then tamarind; simmer.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Besan not roasted.
Fix next time
Roast until nutty.
Why
Water added fast.
Fix next time
Whisk in slowly.
Why
Little tamarind.
Fix next time
Add more.
Why
Added at once.
Fix next time
Add in stages.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Tamarind | Tang | Kokum or lemon |
| Drumsticks | Vegetable | Leave out |
| Besan | Body | No substitute |
| Curry leaves | Aroma | Leave out |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Plain rice and aloo tuk.
Store
Fridge 3 days.
Reheat
Low heat with water.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 6 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is the besan roasted) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Sindhi Kadhi FAQ
How is Sindhi kadhi different from Punjabi kadhi?
Sindhi kadhi uses roasted besan and tamarind, not yoghurt.
What vegetables go in?
Potato, okra, drumsticks, carrots and beans.
What is it served with?
Rice and aloo tuk.
Is it vegan?
Yes.