Learn how to make authentic South Indian style Kothamalli Thokku (Coriander Leaves Thokku) with step-by-step photos. This flavorful, long shelf-life dry coriander pickle pairs deliciously with hot rice, idli and crispy dosa!
Kothamalli thokku was in my try list for a long time. Last month my in-laws were here. We had a nice time together. Whenever my MIL visits my house, I tell her to make some of her signature recipes like thogayal and pickles. One such recipe is this kothamalli thokku.
She brought a big bunch of fresh coriander leaves from Salem. We made kothamalli thogayal and this thokku. We enjoyed it for a week. It can be mixed with plain rice and also serves as a good side dish for idli and dosa mixed with gingelly oil. Whenever I feel lazy to make side dishes for idli and dosa, I keep this as accompaniment. Simple and yummy!!
Quick Notes for US & Abroad Kitchens
- Cilantro Prep & Moisture Control: Fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) available in US grocery stores or Indian grocers like Patel Brothers often carry high moisture from misting. Wash the leaves thoroughly and spin them completely dry in a salad spinner, then spread them on clean kitchen paper towels to ensure zero moisture before sauteing. Removing every drop of water is the secret to extending the thokku’s shelf life without refrigeration.
- Cookware & Heat Management: When cooking on electric coil or glass-top stoves, keep the burner on medium-low heat to roast the urad dal evenly to a golden brown without burning. Tamarind paste can be used if whole seedless tamarind is not on hand; simply use 1 teaspoon of thick tamarind paste along with the leaves.
Kothamalli Thokku | Coriander Leaves Thokku Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Coriander leaves (tightly packed / approx. 50 g / 1.8 oz)
- 3 tbsp Round Urad dal (approx. 45 g / 1.6 oz)
- 6 – 8 Red chillies
- Tamarind (medium gooseberry size / approx. 15 g / 0.5 oz, pinch into small pieces)
- 1 tbsp Cooking oil (approx. 15 ml / 0.5 fl oz)
- ½ tsp Jaggery (approx. 3 g)
- Salt (as needed / to taste)
Instructions
- Wash and cut the coriander leaves roughly using scissors. Spread them on paper overnight or in shade for 6 hours. If you are not able to do this, follow as given in next step. The point is coriander leaves should be dry without water content.
- In a kadai, heat oil and roast the red chillies and urad dal, then set aside. You can fry them separately or together. In the same kadai, saute the coriander leaves and tamarind pieces. Saute till it shrinks in quantity.
- First grind red chillies and salt. Then add the sauteed coriander leaves, tamarind and jaggery without adding water. Lastly add the roasted urad dal and grind them together coarsely.
- Remove and store in an airtight container after it cools down.
- Mix with plain rice or serve as a side dish for hot idli and dosa topped with gingelly oil. Tastes yummy.
Notes
- If you dry the leaves in shade, you do not have to saute in oil. Just roast the other ingredients and grind everything together. Otherwise sauteing coriander leaves is a must as it should be completely dry without water content.
- Pinch the tamarind into small pieces and then saute. It helps to roast it well and also keeps the thokku dry with long shelf life.
- It can be stored in an airtight box and kept for more than a week without refrigeration. With refrigeration, you can keep it for more than a month too. Always use a clean, dry spoon every time.
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There is something about kothamalli that gives a very refreshing flavor.. I just love it.. This thokku looks super delicious.. :)
Very tempting one chitra.I too feel lazy to make side dish sometimes that time this comes in handy.
very healthy and delicious thokku, love it Chitra…
perfectly healthy thokku
wow thats a very very flavouful and yummy thogayal :) my fav ..tempting me !!
I love this one chitra all time fav
Super thokku..my fav one!!
Lovely thokku..love its flavors
Kothamalli thokku is great on flavours. Very healthy dish and picute is so inviting. I would love to add jaggery too to this as the combination of sour-sweet is very nice. What do you think?
Oh yes.I did add but forgot to mention.thanks for reminding me dear :) will update now
Lovely thokku, we too make in the same way but never tried coarse grinding.
Love this thokku, I use the same ingredients, but I have never made a dry version..
Super delicious, flavorful thokku.