A Karhi Recipe with big flavours made in less time! This Kadhi Pakora uses two time saving techniques to make sure your Karhi is ready in under an hour, but with that full slow cooked flavour!
🔍 Quick Look: Kadhi Pakora
- 🍳 Cook Time: 55 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 🔥 Cook Method: Stovetop
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
- Key to Success: Taste and adjust! Different yoghurts will have different flavour profiles!
All of your recipes are exceptional! I'm grateful u have shared them with us so selflessly. I love karhi so much and this hit the spot ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Scidra
Jump to:
- 🔍 Quick Look: Kadhi Pakora
- 3 Things about Karhi that you may not know
- Kadhi Pakora Tested and Retested
- Time Saving Hacks Explained
- Karhi Ingredients: 2 Must Knows
- Baghaar/Tempering Ingredients: To Onion or not to Onion
- How to Make Kadhi Pakora
- Kadhi Pakora FAQs and Troubleshooting
- What do I serve with Karhi Pakora?
- Some more Satisfying Sabzis
- Authentic Kadhi Pakora in HALF the time!
- Comments
3 Things about Karhi that you may not know
What is Karhi? At it's core Karhi is a simple besan gram flour and yoghurt based curry into which fried besan fritters are added to create a moreish dish. Worth noting that it is also often made with buttermilk outside Pakistan where the default is yoghurt.
1.) The base of Karhi is one of the oldest documented South Asian dishes with references to it from centuries ago.
2.) This dish was traditionally a 'winter' one, as farmers ran out of their produce stock from warmer times. It was a way of making basic ingredients into something moreish and special.
3.) Regional variations across India are significant with sweeter versions, greener ones, etc. In Pakistan there is more a uniform Kadhi which is a less thick version of the traditional Punjabi one and has it's roots in UP in India. Notable exception: Sindhi Kadhi which features vegetables not pakoras.
Kadhi Pakora Tested and Retested
Confession: I am not a Karhi person. Most of the time it tastes (to me) like a whole lot of nothing. Harsh? Maybe a little.
I have tried every iteration of Karhi recipes. I've made the ones with ingredients that boiled for hours and then strained out, thick ones, runnier milder ones, and the ones that produced so much Karhi that I struggled to find a small army of people willing to eat it. I've even tested different quantities of yogurt, chickpea flour, and simmering time.
This Pakistani recipe WINS because it is easy to make, actually full flavored, ready in under an hour, and approved by some very very picky Karhi fans.
Time Saving Hacks Explained
This Karhi Pakorai recipe has two time saving hacks: one is the dry roasting of the besan and the second is the cooking of a masala base. The chalky taste of 'raw' besan is half the reason Kadhi needs to cook for so long. The assertive flavor profile of uncooked spices is the other half. Roasting the besan solves problem one, and cooking the masalas in a little oil solves the other.
Karhi Ingredients: 2 Must Knows
- Besan: Besan be made from chickpea flour or chana dal flour, I prefer chickpea flour but chana dal flour works too!
- Yogurt - I use whole here, low fat versions tend to be saltier so for those hold back the salt a little to start.
Baghaar/Tempering Ingredients: To Onion or not to Onion
Now some people add sliced oniones to their Kadhi baghaar/tempering- you are absolutely welcome to. However, the thing is fried onions are lovely on top when you first eat the Karhi, but by the next day they mix into your Kadhi Pakora to give it a salan vibe. I think it's better to fry your onions and serve them on the side.
How to Make Kadhi Pakora
Visual learner? Me too! Here's a quick look at the process!
Making the Base
Step by step instructions that show my time saving hacks!
- Dry roast your besan until toasty and aromatic.
- Blend your besan and yoghurt together
- Saute your cumin, fenugreek, and curry leaves in a little oil.
- Add in your garlic and spices, cooking on medium heat to bloom flavours.
- Add your yoghurt and besan mix and whisk well and bring to a boil.
- Add green chilies and let simmer for 45 minutes
TIP: To keep your karhi from boiling over leave a spoon horizontally across the top when you bring it to a simmer. This is a tip that works in my Doodh Patti recipe and here as well.
Pakora Time & Finishing Touches
7. Combine the pakora ingredients in a bowl
8. Drizzle in half a cup of the water and slowly add the remaining until you get a thick batter
9. Heat a few inches of oil in a pan. Remember to fry a test pakora and adjust seasoning to taste!
10. Fry the rest for a few minutes on each side and drain on a wire rack. Remember to make them small! they will expand once added to the kadhi!
11. When the kadhi base is ready, add your pakoras, bring to a boil and turn it off.
12. Top with the aromatic baghaar and serve with hot basmati rice!
Genius tip from a friend: If you have a Pakora mix prepped and in your pantry you can use that to make the pakoras for your Karhi! Thanks Z!
Kadhi Pakora FAQs and Troubleshooting
Greek yoghurt is far thicker and harder to blend into a karhi, it does however have higher protein and lot's of tang. In an absolute pinch you can do ⅓ cup of greek yoghurt and additional water to make ½ cup when blending the kadhi base.
It thickens considerably as it sits, but like many South Asian dishes it also gets tastier, so if you are making it ahead I recommend not adding the baghaar until before serving so you can reheat the base stovetop and adjust thickness.
Unfortunately not, the yoghurt base takes on a very unappealing texture.
Air frying pakoras is tricky at best, but if you have a go to recipe you use for air fried pakoras have at it! I find it incredibly time consuming and fiddly especially since these pakoras have to be tiny - they expand as they cook - so you have to make them quite small.
Only if you need it as an alternate cooktop. There is no pressure cooking required here.
What do I serve with Karhi Pakora?
Kadhi can be a stand alone, serve with plain rice dish, but if you want ideas for a more full menu they are right here!
Some more Satisfying Sabzis
Vegetarian Pakistani food often doesn't get the recognition it deserves! Here are some of our moreish comforting favorites!
Thank you for being here! If you've made this recipe then please do leave a comment and rating below! I also love to see your recreations on Instagram where you can tag me @flourandspiceblog 🙂
Authentic Kadhi Pakora in HALF the time!
Equipment
- 1 cooking pot large, the kind you would use for rice!
Ingredients
Karhi/ Kadhi Ingredients
- ½ cup besan (chickpea or chana daal flour)
- 1 ½ cup yogurt (I use full fat, but 2% works)
- 3 tbsp neutral oil
- one sprig curry leaves
- ½ tsp methi dana or fenugreek seeds
- ¼ tsp ajwain seeds or carom seeds
- 2 cloves garlic (or 1 level tsp garlic paste)
- ¾ tsp red chilli powder or cayenne
- ¾ tsp cumin powder or zeera powder
- ¾ tsp coriander powder or dhania powder
- ¾ tsp turmeric powder
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 3 green chilies (whole)
- 5 cups water (add more according to taste, see notes)
Pakora Recipe
- oil for deep frying
- 1.5 cup besan or chickpea/chana daal flour
- ¾-1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ⅓ tsp carom seeds or ajwain
- 1 diced onion (optional)
- 2 diced green chilies
- ¾ tsp baking powder
Baghaar/ Tadka/ Tarka
- ⅓ cup oil
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 4-5 whole red chillies
Instructions
- Heat your pot then add the besan to it and dry roast on medium heat until it smells aromatic. If the colour starts to change then pull it off the heat immediately.
- Puree the besan and yogurt together - you can use a blender. I use an immersion blender because then I can measure the yogurt in, add the besan and blitz.
- Now add a little oil in the same pot and your curry leaves, methi dana (fenugreek seeds), and ajwain (carom) seeds and saute until fragrant.
- Immediately add your garlic and dry spices, keep a little water handy in case you need to add a splash to prevent the spices from burning. When it comes together you're good to go.
- Add your besan and mix well, it will start to clump up, but don't worry and just whisk the water in.
- Now add the green chilies and bring it to a boil then down to a simmer for 45 minutes., stirring intermittently and scraping the bottom.TIP: keep a heat proof kitchen utensil across the top of the pot to contain boiling over.
- Once the time is up you can pull out the chilies and curry leaves or leave them there. Taste and adjust seasoning. Also the Karhi will thicken as it cools so you want it runnier here.
Pakoras
- Start on these while the karhi is simmering.
- Combine the pakora ingredients and start drizzling in the ¾ cup water mixing well. Stop at around the half cup mark and see if you have a thick cake batter consistency. If not drizzle the remaining in and keep mixing. If you add it all at once it's harder to mix.
- Heat oil for deep frying (you can pan fry as well, but then they don't puff up as much)
- Fry a test pakora and taste. Adjust according to preferences.
- Drop the mixture by small teaspoonfuls into the hot oil making sure not to overcrowd. The pakoras will expand as they fry but they will also expand when added to the karhi. Fry for 3 minutes on each side or until deeply golden.
- When the karhi is ready add your pakoras, bring it to a boil and turn off. They will simmer in the residual heat.
Baghaar
- Heat your oil in a frying pan and add the baghaar ingredients, when they are sizzly and aromatic then pour the baghaar over your karhi.
Video
Notes
- The flavour of yoghurt changes the flavour of the karhi. If your yogurt isn't naturally a little "khatta" or sour then you can add a little lemon juice.
- Kadhi thickens as it sits so if you eat it the next day then you will need to thin it out with some water.
- Fried onions are lovely with kadhi and you can fry some in ghee and serve them on the side, but add them to the baghaar and while they'll be lovely right away they will alter the taste/colour of the karhi by the next day.
Shortcut hunter says
Keen to try an easy karhi recipe!
Do you drain the pakora oil or just plonk into the curry direct?
Some people freeze the mix when making karhi, just cuz of the effort in making it in the one time, and then just add in the pakoray into a defrosted one for a second meal. Do you have any suggestions for re-heating/advance prepping this one?
Sarah Mir says
Hi! It kinda depends on timings that day. If I am making the pakoras in advance then I drain on a wire rack, but I typically make them while the karhi is simmering so then I just pull the pakoras out with a wire spoon and make sure to shake any excess oil back into the frying pan before adding to the karhi. Hope tat makes sense! Re: Freezing the mix I have not tried it, but I can see how the addition of the besan would make the yoghurt stable enough to freeze and defrost. Do let me know if you try it, but I honestly have not. I also know people who will store the dry mix in their fridge for 2 months so that's an option as well. Karhi also keeps very well so if you were preparing it ahead I'd keep the base separate from the pakoras and combine and reheat. the pakoras tend to soak up a lot of liquid so keeping them separate mitigates that!
Kadhi fan says
Excellent!
Sarah Mir says
Best username award right there! Thanks so much for rating it!
Ayushi Agrawal says
Wow, this kadhi recipe is absolutely delightful! 😍 I followed your instructions step by step, and the result was a flavorful and creamy kadhi that my family couldn't get enough of. The balance of spices you've achieved is perfect, and I appreciate how you've explained each stage of the cooking process so clearly. This dish will definitely become a staple in our household. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe! 🙏
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJk4uP1no8I
Sarah Mir says
Absolutely delighted to hear that! Thank you so much!
Ayushi Agrawal says
Wow, this kadhi recipe is absolutely delightful! 😍 I followed your instructions step by step, and the result was a flavorful and creamy kadhi that my family couldn't get enough of. The balance of spices you've achieved is perfect, and I appreciate how you've explained each stage of the cooking process so clearly. This dish will definitely become a staple in our household. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe! 🙏
Link to my YouTube channel
DH says
The kadhi turned out great! The pakoras were a disaster 🙈. Could there be an error in the recipe card? Baking soda instead of powder?
Sarah Mir says
Hey there! I am So sorry to hear that! Could you describe what went wrong so I can figure it out? Thank you so much for taking time out to share your experience!
Irum says
Such an easy recipe! Ready in under an hour😊
Sarah Mir says
That's my favorite part! Kadhi shouldn't take Nihari amounts of time right?!? hehe
Sara says
Thanks for sharing, it was a hit]!
Sarah Mir says
Yay!!!! Glad to hear that! THANK YOU for taking the time to rate it and leave a comment!
Haniya says
Loved this delish recipe and craving is satisfied ❤️❤️
Sarah Mir says
That's wonderful to hear Haniya! Thank you!!!
Misbah says
I just came here to recheck the quantities today 🙂
I totally agree with dry roasting besan, it's a game changer definitely. Try adding kasuri methi, it adds to the flavour 😉 and just like biryani, i always have aloo in my pakora:)
Sarah Mir says
Oooh! Thanks for the kasuri methi tip! I’ll try it next time!!!
Amna Saeed says
Cant wait to try it !
Scidra Sayeed says
All of your recipes are exceptional! I’m grateful u have shared them with us so selflessly. I love karhi so much and this hit the spot ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sarah Mir says
aww thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Juveria Shah says
Great recipe to follow !!! Mine turns out great after I followed your recipe ❤️.
Samina Sadiq says
This recipe is so simple and quick! My mum makes this curry and this recipe is the closest its come to tasting like hers. I added extra salt, dill and some black mustard seeds to give it my own touch. Thank you Sarah 💜
Sarah Mir says
I am so glad you enjoyed it and I absolutely LOVED reading about your additions! Dill in kadhi is new to me, but I am so keen to try it now!
Shiza Batool says
Thanks for this recipe. Turned out to be great.
Sarah Mir says
Yay! THRILLED to hear you liked it!!!!
Benish Khan says
I love the Manu 1 and Menu 2 idea! Will def give it a try!
Sarah Mir says
I am SO glad - trying to do it with all my posts now!
Aba says
Hi what are the quantities needed?
Sarah Mir says
If you hit jump to recipe (or scroll right above this comment to the recipe card) you'll see it!
Tabassum Zaidi says
Made it and ate it. Thank you for making it so easy💖 I was short on time and it was ready in an hour which is quick for karhi. 😊
Sarah Mir says
that is wonderful to hear!
Ruksana says
but you haven't mentioned the size of the cup? Can I use the regular US measuring cup?
If you could mention the weight of the ingredients it would be helpful.
Sarah Mir says
regular US size works perfectly - typically cups are the norm in North America (I live in Canada), but I do agree that grams would be more precise. a quick google shows that half a cup of besan is around 50g. Hope that helps!!! will try to include more weight based measurements in the future - thank you!