SALLA CHARU is an authentic spiced refreshing buttermilk rasam, it is a quick fix on the menu during daily meals. We usually have salla charu with rice and dal. Salla charu is light to digest and made more frequently in summers as it helps in cooling our bodies. It is a traditional recipe made in Telangana region which goes with rice or one can even drink as is. It is usually made with sour curd, green chillies and minced garlic which makes it more flavorful, exquisite and unique to our regional cuisine.
SALLA CHARU/CHALLA CHARU is traditionally made with buttermilk (liquid left behind from churning of butter/cream) and is still made in the same manner in rural areas but in urban households it is made by thinning the yogurt. The yogurt is allowed to slightly turn sour in taste and burnt green chili is added to balance the sourness. And in the countryside the salla charu is traditionally tempered with the churned butter, but we can use oil add flavourings and spices that further enhance the flavor for the regular buttermilk. What sets this buttermilk rasam unique is the use of burnt green chili and addition of coarsely grounded garlic cumin seeds is added for flavoring and it helps in balancing the sourness of the buttermilk. A very basic tempering is added to the salla charu with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, curry leaves and the special pounded garlic cumin seed mixture.
This recipe is passed down by my grandmother and almost a century old family recipe, I still make it the same way without changing a bit. What makes this stand apart is the addition of coarsely pounded garlic cumin mixture and burnt green chillies.
In Andhra region they make similar to this dish as they majjiga charu where they add onions and other veggies like bottle gourd, lady’s finger, tomato etc and is slightly variant from this dish. In northern part of India they make Kadhi similar to this dish. Whatever variant of buttermilk rasam it may be it is usually served with rice. Be it North or South region of India, Curd is most widely used in many dishes and is very good for health as it acts coolant to the body and is a very good source of calcium. This dish is usually served with rice along with plain cooked toor dal which we call as chappati pappu/muddapappu or any gravy curry like stuffed brinjal curry, tindora curry etc.,
Let’s get into the recipe but before that Checkout more traditional and vegetarian Telangana recipes here.
SALLA CHARU
Ingredients
- 2 cups Buttermilk
- or
- 1 cup Sour curd/yogurt
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 2 Green chili
- Salt to taste
Tempering
- 2 tbsp Oil / Freshly churned butter
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 2 Green chillies
- 3 Whole dry red chillies
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp Cilantro chopped
- 1 pinch Turmeric powder
- 1 sprig Curry leaves
Instructions
Prepping
- Roast a green chili on open flame until the skin starts to wrinkle and brown spots appear.
- In a mortar and pestle add roasted green chili, garlic cloves, cumin seeds and coarsely pound them.
- Add the pounded chili garlic mixture and salt to taste in to the buttermilk or whisked curd(if you're using curd/yogurt) and give it a good mix.Note : If using Curd add water to dilute the consistency. For 1 cup of curd add 2 cups of water.
Tempering
- In a small wok/kadhai prepare the tempering. Place this wok on slow flame, add freshly churned butter or oil.
- Coarsely pound some garlic cloves and cumin seeds.
- Now add mustard seeds, coarsely pounded garlic cumin seeds and curry leaves. And roast until garlic turns golden brown.
- Now add torn red chilies, slit green chillies and pinch of turmeric powder and fry for a minute.
- Add the tempering to the churned buttermilk and add chopped cilantro.
- Serve chilled salla charu with rice and chappati pappu(boiled plain toor dal).
Notes
- You can omit roasting the green chili on open flame and just add it in tempering.
- If you're using fresh curd/yogurt add the clotted cream(malai) or sour cream to add a nice tang to the salla charu.
If you’ve tried this recipe and loved it, I’d love to hear your feedback by tagging your photo and share it with #mycurryveda on Instagram @mycurryveda or on Facebook . Also follow @taste.of.telangana on Instagram for more traditional recipes, culture and stories.
Hi sravani today i tried your salla charu recipe..tastef to tooo good it’s very authentic and unique and perfect Telangana style of salla charu…guys if you wannaa try any Telangana recipes plz vist this website try sravanis recipe you never go disappoint because sravani is the best
Thank you so much Manusha. Your feedback matters to me the most, I’m so glad to hear yours.
This is exactly what I was searching for,my favourite
Thank you so much Pravalika. I’m so happy to listen this ❤️