Milagai Podi

In a south-Indian household, you cannot have idli or dosa without milagai podi. It is an essential ingredient in the pantry. Make a large batch as it stores very well.

• Preparation Time: 5 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 87 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup sesame seeds
• salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
• 2 cups split Bengal gram (chana dal)
• 1 cup skinned split black lentils (urad dal)
• 12 dried red chile peppers, or to taste
• 2 fresh curry leaves
• ½ cup coriander seeds

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, shallow skillet over medium heat; fry the chana dal and urad dal in the hot oil until they begin to smell toasted, about 5 minutes. Add the sesame seeds and cook another 2 minutes. Stir the red chile peppers, curry leaves, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds into the mixture; continue cooking until the seeds are roasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and spread the mixture on a baking sheet to cool.

Step 2

Grind the mixture into a medium-fine powder using a mortar and pestle. Season with salt. The powder will keep in an airtight container on the shelf for a few months.