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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Spicy, Curry Leaves Powder / Karivepaku Podi

Most of the South Indian backyards are adorned with a curry leaf tree since the curry leaves happen to be vital to the local cooking. There is absolutely no substitute to these highly aromatic leaves and no other ingredient in any kitchen can impart that much flavor to a dish and make it extra special.
The leaves are appetizing and said to have digestive properties. These flavorful, fragrant leaves are combined with spices and dals to prepare this delicious karivepaku podi. Elders in our household believe that a meal started with karivepaku podi - rice combo is good for minor stomach ailments, especially in the case of little kids.

Spicy, curry leaves powder / Karivepaku podi:



In Telugu, curry leaves are called karivepaku which literally means black neem leaves.

Ingredients required:
2 cups curry leaves
1/4 cup chanadal
1/4 cup uraddal (can reduce by 1 Tbsp)
1 Tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
A few peppercorns (optional)
10 red chilies (quantity depends upon the spiciness preferred)
A small ball of tamarind or to taste
Salt to taste
2 - 3 tsp oil

The 'How' part:
Heat oil in a sauté pan and add chanadal and uraddal to it. Sauté them on low flame. When they start to turn reddish, add coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, pepper and chilies in that order and toast them as well. Finally add curry leaves and toast them till they turn crisp. Turn off the stove and add tamarind to it. Cool the mixture. Coarsely grind it adding salt in a blender and store it in an airtight container.
Serve this podi with hot steamed rice and a spoon of ghee for a heavenly experience.

Note: If preparing in small quantity, lemon juice can be substituted for tamarind. However, it doesn't have a longer shelf life.

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20 comments:

FewMinute Wonders said...

I love karivepallai podi. My amma used to make it for me every time and I always had a stock of it in my fridge. I agree the flavor they give out is simply aromatic and cannot be replaced. Out here to find curry leaves is like finding gold.

Simplyfood said...

This spicy powder looks and sounds wonderful.In your pic powder looks dry but doesnt tamarind make it wet??Tamarind we can buy in uk is brown and sticky and in blocks we can get it without the seeds.Fresh tamarind is very rare here.

Kiran said...

Our most favorite powder.Love it with idlis,dosa and rice.Very nice color of the podi.Lovely pic.

Shabitha Karthikeyan said...

Karuvepillai podi looks so good..Can imagine it with hot rice and a soon of ghee..yummm..

Suma Gandlur said...

Simplyfood,
Tamarind doesn't make this powder wet. Here in US, we get tamarind almost similar to the one available in India. We usually add tamarind even to chutney powder and that also would be dry.

Srimathi,
I know what you mean. Curry leaves seem so precious. My mother usually packs me a large batch of this powder when I am leaving India.

Torviewtoronto said...

looks healthy Suma, I use curry leaves for most of my dishes.

Unknown said...

Wow, that looks so tempting. I just want to eat it now in hot rice with ghee.

Suji said...

Love to eat thi spodi with rice and ygurt and pickle..

Love
Kairali sisters

Nithu Bala said...

Nice podi dear..thanks for sharing..

PS said...

yummy spicy podi, loved this always with hot rice..

Life is beautiful !!! said...

Suma, beautifully presented. I love the smell of curry leaves. For me cooking without curry leaf is impossible :)

Chitra said...

I too make it.. but mine is green in color..urs is looking yum.. :)

Priya Suresh said...

Beautiful and aromatic powder, just love with rice and papads..

Unknown said...

mmm Ican imagen the flavor love to have with hot rice and a drop of gheee yummmmm beautiful pic. Suma.

Sanyukta Gour(Bayes) said...

my mom makes this with dosa...flavor of curry leaves is awesome and curry leaves hv so mnay health benefits as well..looks awesome.

Sharmi said...

Hi Suma, lovely looking podi!
I do not remember if I responded to you regarding Cooking for kids event. The months July and august are available. Please email me to sharmikomal@gmail.com.
Kids had holidays and I was travelling thats why could not keep up with the blog:)

Nitha said...

Spicy one... a good combiation with steam rice n curd...

Padmajha said...

I am drooling at the thought of having this with steamed rice and ghee.Yummmm

Nammaruchi.blogspt.com said...

Looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

very good!