Dad is very fond of Karivepaku podi. There was a time when Amma used to store these for everyday use. Habit changes and somehow in the line, I found we stopped making it. Kerivepillai is often so misused that its bad to think about. We use this for all our dishes but mostly they are discarded. Athamma keeps telling us to eat them instead of throwing it away! But it does become difficult to chew on them. At times I try eating it when its in coconut chutney, else normally never. I have been planning for so long to make this Karivepaku podi that I almost gave up on that. When Athamma had gone visiting her daughter during sanskranti, she brought back so much with her. I was eying that packet gingerly for a long time, wondering when I will get down making that podi. Athamma had got two huge bunches of tender leaves and little mature ones. My sil told me that Athamma had got these specially for me as I was planning on preparing something with this for a long time. How I dreamt I will prepare Karivepillai Rice or Karivepaku podi. Infact I was so obsessed with that, that I dreamt about it one day.Reasons being that hubby dear said that I am loosing my hair and I better take care of it. I have read and heard many say that curry leaves are good for hair. Well of all the reasons!
Anyway even without this, I remember Amma's spiced curry powder and longed for it. I called her and asked her how to do. I told her that Athamma has got the unbelievable wonderful fresh leaves. During this season its quite hard to get good ones in the market. So her acquisition is a prized one. With all these things going on, I did the most unforgivable thing. I put the big bunch of mature ones into the freezer. I remember somewhere in the back of my mind that I shouldn't be doing it. But I don't know what happened, I just tucked in the packet and remembered about it some 5 hrs later. I ran to the freezer hoping nothing would've gone wrong with it. God, they were all weathered. They were so fresh and crisp, but within few hrs in freezer, they lost life! I was so sad and didn't know what to do. I was sure Athamma would feel bad about it, if not angry. I just tucked it back to Veg store and didn't say a word. Amma asked me if I made the podi, I sadly recollected her the sad story of Curry Leaves. She consoled and said I can always get some and prepare if I was so particular. So next day send the maid to buy in bulk. Never let a word to hubby dear or Athamma about this.
Finally I ended up preparing the podi. It was ridiculously simple, yet it tasted heavenly! I had it with Chappati, idli and Rice too. As it was on Amma's table, now lies a box with Spiced Curry leaf powder on mine!
Ingredients
1 cup Curry Leaves (loosely)
1 & 1/2 tbsp Bengal Gram Dal
1 & 1/2 tbsp Urud Dal
10 Dry Red Chillies
2 tbsp Fried Gram Dal
Tamarind, pebble size
Salt to taste
1 tsp Cooking Oil
Instructions
Wash the curry leaves and pat dry.
Heat a pan with oil. Roast Red chillies, Bengal Gram and Urud dal, till a nice aroma comes out. Remove and let it cool.
Then, roast the curry leaves, till they are crisp and well fried. Let it cool.
Once its ready to grind, add tamarind, Fried Gram dal, salt and all the fried ingredients into a mixie and grind to a powder.
Remove and store in an air tight container.
Notes
Goes very well with everything and is quite a saver. This is quite spicy, so adjust the chillies based to your palette.
Recipe
Karivepaku Podi ~ Spiced Curry Leaf Powder
Ingredients
- 1 cup Curry Leaves (loosely)
- 1 & 1/2 tbsp Bengal Gram Dal
- 1 & 1/2 tbsp Urud Dal
- 10 Dry Red Chillies
- 2 tbsp Fried Gram Dal
- Tamarind pebble size
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp Cooking Oil
Instructions
- Wash the curry leaves and pat dry.
- Heat a pan with oil. Roast Red chillies, Bengal Gram and Urud dal, till a nice aroma comes out. Remove and let it cool.
- Then, roast the curry leaves, till they are crisp and well fried. Let it cool.
- Once its ready to grind, add tamarind, Fried Gram dal, salt and all the fried ingredients into a mixie and grind to a powder.
- Remove and store in an air tight container.
Nags says
mom always says karivepaku is iron-rich and we shud chew and eat it instead of throwing it away! this is a nice way of ensuring we actually do eat it!
Siri says
I just adore this podi Srii.. and u reminded me of my mom with ur post..:D..
Siri
Vaishali says
Srivalli, Thanks for the recipe for karivepaku podi. The store I get it from here usually sells it in a huge bunch and I never know what to do with all of it before it goes bad. This would be a great way to use it up!
Sia says
i dont mind chewing the curry leaves, infact i actually like it. amma makes similar chutney powder and sometimes she adds dry coconut with it.
satya says
This podi is a good appetiser.Thanks for sharing your version.And don't throw those frozen leaves Srivalli[Hope you did'nt till now].Grind them to a paste and soak the paste in coconut oil overnight.Next day boil the oil till the moisture evaporates from the paste and it turns into a powder.Use it as a hair oil.
Asha says
I tried bottled one from the store, didn't like it. I should try this next time I get fresh curry leaves!:)
KayKat says
This is an all-time favourite! We often make this into a thogaiyal too.
Vanamala says
Nice pudi..want to eat rightaway with hot rice ...MouthWatering !!!
Sig says
I love chewing the curry leaves... but this chutney powder will be even better, I have seen this on different blogs, I have to make it one of these days...
Suganya says
Curry leaves are luxury here, Sri. I treasure a tiny packet for about a month 🙁
Sagari says
my mom use to make this podi always I just love this with everything rice,roti, dosa,idli
Dee says
this is comfort food for me srivalli!!! Back on your blog after a long time.. Love the posts and keep 'em coming
Srivalli says
Nags, good of your mom!..sure way thats why I made it a point!
Sia, oh yeah with coconut also it should taste good!
satya, how I knew before...thanks for the info will surely follow next time
Asha, yeah this is really yummy!
Siri, glad you do...thanks!
Vaishali, thanks glad you liked it
Vanamala, you are most welcome!
Sig, Yes, you should make it ..its is very yummy
KayKat, yeah as thogaiyal too its yummy right
Suganya, oh thats bad!...
Sagari, great to know!
Dee, welcome back ..was wondering abt you!...thanks and do visit again
Jayashree says
This is something that my mother always had in store...made fresh from the kariveppila plant in our yard....your post brings back fond memories...
Kamini says
One of my favourite meals is any podi with hot rice and ghee. This one is a must-try. I once made the same mistake as you, freezing the leaves, and I nearly wept at what happened to them because they are so rare and expensive here in the States!
Kamini
Srivalli says
Jayashree, glad it did...
Kamini, oh I guess great people do the same things...:D...yeah pls do try and let me know
Vcuisine says
I just loved this and prepared last week. It's got over but yet to post it 🙂 Your version is neat. Viji