Chutney Powder – Also commonly known as Idly powder and Milagai Podi

The versatile Chutney powder has its own twists and turns on ones palate depending on the ingredients used. The list goes as with or without garlic, with or without curry leaves, with or without sesame seeds and so on.

This is a version that my mom used to make and I have continued it for the past 27 years! So here it goes…

Ingredients:

1. Urad dal – 2 cups

2. Sesame seeds – 2 cups

3. Curry leaves – 1cup

4. Red chilies – 12 – 15 (according to your preference)

5. Tamarind – a small piece

6. Asafetida – 1/4 tsp

7. Salt – 1 tsp ( according to your preference)

8. Sesame seed oil – 2tsps (available in Indian stores. Not the Chinese sesame oil)

Method:

1. In a heavy bottomed pan, add the oil and all the ingredients and fry in a very slow flame or heat until you smell the aroma of all the ingredients. This should typically take around 10 minutes.

2. Let it cool and grind the mixture to a coarse powder.