Flavour Diary: Bendakaya Vellulli Karam Recipe | Okra in spicy garlic mix | Andhra Cuisine | Vegetarian Curry Fry | Bhindi Fry

Karam podi means spice mix made of different spices and have many variations and names depending on ingredients used. Karam is a telugu word which means Spicy in English. In South India Karam podi's (spice mix powders) are very much popular and are used in everyday cooking. These spice mix can be stored more than a month at room temperature and can be made easily. Freshly made Spice mix enhances the flavour of any curry and can be used depending on our liking.

Vellulli Karam Podi

And today's recipe is Vellulli Karam its a spice mix using Garlic and dals and this is added to fried Okra. If you remember my Crispy Bhindi Fry which is prepared using nuts and spices, is completely different from this. If you are Okra lover you might also like Shahi Bhindi where Okra is cooked in Royal Style gravy.

You might be interested in other Andhra Cuisine Recipes
Ganji(Semolina Soup)
Kakinada Gottam Kaja(Dessert Recipe)
Kodi Guddu Pulusu(Andhra Style Eggs in tangy sauce curry)
Pesarattu(Moong Dal Dosa)
Gongura Mamsam(Lamb in Sour Leaves)

Level: easy
Total time: 30mins

serves:3-4

1 cup:250 ml
1 tablespoon: 15ml
1 teaspoon:5ml

Ingredients

Okra/Bendakaya/Bhindi: 300gm
Salt to taste
Turmeric: 1/4th teaspoon
Oil: 1 tablespoon

Spicy Garlic Mix(Vellulli Karam)
Garlic Pods: 7-8 big ones
Cumin Seeds: 1 teaspoon
Chana Dal: 1 tablespoon
Urad Dal: 1 tablespoon
Dry Red Chillies: 10 big

Directions

Vellulli Karam Podi:
In a pan dry roast urad dal and chana dal until they change colour slightly.
Now add cumin seeds,dry chilli's and Garlic Pods and fry for few more minutes when they change colour slightly.Turn off the flame and let the ingredients cool down and blend to fine powder.
Use up the mixture as required and Store the rest in air tight container and the mixture stays fresh for 15 days.So You can use the powder in any fries or curries.

Okra Fry:
Wash, tap dry and set aside the okra's/Bhindi .
Cut the front and back edges of okra and split and cut Okra's lengthwise.

In a pan add oil and then add okra,salt and turmeric and fry for 5 mins on high flame and cover and cook for 3 mins and fry uncovered until okra's are cooked.
When okra is almost cooked add Spice mix(Vellulli Karam) to taste and mix well until well combined.Serve hot and enjoy with roti/white rice/paratha's.