IDLI PODI/ MILAGAI PODI/ GUN POWDER
Idli Podi/ Milagai is a flavorful condiment made from roasted lentils, spices and seeds. Also known as Gun Powder, Chutney Podi, Idli Karam Podi, its so easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chana dal
- ¼ cup urad dal
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- ¼ cup grated coconut
- 8-10 dry red chillis
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 2 sprigs curry leaves fresh
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp asafetida optional
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
Instructions
- Put a wide pan on medium to low heat.
- I prefer to roast all the ingredients separately. Follow the steps in order.
- First roast the dry red chillis till they become a little crisp. Make sure you don't burn them. Stir all the time. As soon I see that they are beginning to curl a bit I remove them from the pan.
- Remove them to a wide plate.
- Next roast the curry leaves, till the become dry and curl up slightly. Add to the roasted red chillis.
- Add chana dal and roast, stirring all the time till it turns light brown in colour. Add to the chilli and curry leaves mixture.
- Next, roast the urad dal. Again, keep stirring till it begins to turn light brown in colour. Add to the roasted chana dal mixture.
- Add sesame seeds and stir continuously till the seeds begin to pop. Add to the chana dal mixture.
- Roast cumin seeds till they begin to crackle. Make sure you stir the seeds continuously. Add the roasted cumin seeds to the rosted chana dal mixture.
- Next roast the garlic till it turns light brown in colour. Remove from the pan and add to the chana dal mixture.
- Roast grated coconut, stirring all the time. Roast till it begins to turn light brown in colour and lets out an aroma.
- Add the coconut to the chana dal mixture.
- Allow the mixture to cool down.
- Add the mixture along with turmeric powder and salt to a food processor and grind to a powder. Using a spatula, push down the mixture from the sides of the food processor so that everything grinds evenly.
- Store the Idli Podi in an airtight container till required.
- To prepare Podi Idli, cut the idli into smaller pieces. Add ghee or oil in a pan.
- Stir fry the idli till it becomes warm.
- Add idli podi or the powder to the idli. Mix well and serve. Add the powder according to your taste.
Notes
- You can use little oil or ghee to roast the ingredients. I decided not to use any.
- Add tamarind and jaggery if you wish.
- Can add seeds like flax seeds or chia seeds too.
- The powder will stay fresh at room temperature for at least 2 weeks but I prefer to store it in the fridge.
- Can use this Idli Podi with dosa, paniyaram, hot rice, adai, etc.