Nuvvula podi (sesame podi)

About this podi

Nuvvulu are sesame seeds, and nuvvula podi is the richest of our dry podis. Sesame is roasted until it crackles and smells toasty, then ground with red chilli and a little garlic. Grinding releases some of the oil in the seeds, so the powder is slightly moist and clings together, with a deep, nutty, faintly bittersweet taste. It's 2 of 3 on our chilli scale, with the garlic sitting quietly in the background. Sesame and rice go back a long way in Telugu cooking, and a spoon of nuvvula podi with hot rice and a few drops of gingelly oil, which is itself pressed from sesame, doubles the flavour. If you like the taste of til chikki or tahini, you'll understand this podi immediately. It contains sesame, so please check the allergen list on this page if that matters for you.

How to enjoy

• Hot rice, a spoon of nuvvula podi and a few drops of gingelly oil.
• Sprinkle over a plain or set dosa.
• Scatter over a dry beans or cabbage stir-fry just before serving.
• Loosen with oil into a dip for idli.