Here is my version of Homemade nalla karam podi. It tastes amazing with ghee rice and also as idli podi

In the month of October, our group of bloggers from Shhhhh Cooking Secretly Challenge went to Telengana on a virtual cooking tour. My partner for this month’s theme was Pavani Gunikuntla who blogs at Pavaniskitchen. After a brief discussion, I gave her Cloves and Ghee as secret ingredient and in return she gave me coriander seeds and garlic to make a unique dish representing Telangana. With the secret ingredients I gave, Pavani made Bagara Rice and I decided to use coriander seeds and garlic to make a Homemade Nalla Karam Podi

A small look into Telengana
Telengana was a state formed in 2014. It is situated in the Deccan Plateau with semi arid area and mostly has a hot climate. In general, the people in this belt are known to consume hot and spicy food. One can associate simple Telegu food as well as Nawabi khaana with this state. Some of the popular dishes associated with Telengana are Polelu (rotis with stuffed filling), Jonne Rotte ( jowas rotis), Qubani ka meetha (apricot sweet) etc.
This belt is also known for the various podis that they make, such as, Nalla Karam Podi, kandi podi etc. Most of the recipes which are found at homes or markets have coriander seeds as the main ingredient and the dal quantity are less. I tweaked the recipe to suit my families interest that is Dal
This homemade Nalla Karam Podi goes well when served with Ghee rice and as an accompaniment to idli too

Servings |
|
- 1 cup coriander seeds
- 1/3 cup Channa dal
- 1/3 cup black udad dal
- 2 tsp Jeera
- 10-15 nos Dry red chillies (you could more or less depending on how spicy you want the podi to be)
- 1/4 cup Curry leaves
- 3-5 nos garlic pods
- 1 ball Tamarind (small lemon size)
- Salt (according to taste)
- 1 tsp hing
- 4 tsp Oil
Ingredients
|
![]() |
- Heat a kadai, add a lil oil and roast each item (excl salt) seperately and remove on a plate
- Let all the ingredients cool on the plate
- Add the roasted ingredients and some salt to mixier and grind to a coarse powder
- (Optional) Take a few tsp of ghee in a kadai and heat it, add the roasted ingredients and roast them on low heat for a couple of minutes.
- Once roasted, allow it to cool and store in an air tight container
9 comments
A very interesting version of podi, Priya! I’m sure this would taste wonderful with hot rice and a bit of ghee. If I’m not wrong, this podi is used to make dosas too. I’d love to try this out some time.
Podi sounds so aromatic. I love the flavour of podi masala. Great with hot steamed rice and ghee or idli. I would love to try it.
I am just in awe of the different versions of podis and chutneys south Indians have. I made a similar version for the challenge but did not use tamarind. I would try this next time. Beautiful click
Nalla Karam podi looks so amazing and flavourful. I make this podi regularly because my daughter loves podi with idli /dosa.
this with hot rice and nallennai is a blissful treat ! cute jar as a prop,
Such an aromatic and flavorful podi this is Priya ! I would love to have it with my dal chawal or pair it with idli or dosa.
Nalla karam looks very tasty and spicy, it is one of regularly prepared podi recipe at my place. Your’s looking superb ?, love to have it idli with dollop of ghee.
Spicy podi must come so handy when one wants to go on light in preparing meals, a good accompaniment with dosa and idlis and .even paranthas I think!! . i will love to have it with ghee rice .
I always love these kind of condiments. It is always handy and very flavorful and aromatic. Looks so tempting.