Idli Podi (Milagai Podi) Recipe (with Step by Step Photos)
Idli Podi (milagai podi) is a flavorful spicy chutney powder, which is mixed with ghee or sesame oil (gingelly oil) and served as an accompaniment with idli or dosa in most of the south Indian households. It is basically used as a substitute for traditional coconut chutney to serve with idli while travelling or in kids’ lunch box.
All the ingredients (Chana dal, urad dal, dry red chillies, sesame seeds, curry leaves and asafetida) are roasted separately and the ground to fine or slightly coarse powder to make this spicy podi. You can also add dry coconut and garlic for nice garlic flavor to make this podi or make it more or less spicy as per your taste preference by increasing or decreasing the amount of dry red chilli (read in tips section). Follow the below given idli podi recipe with step by step photos to make this spicy powder at home.
More South Indian Recipes
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 3/4 cup
| Ingredients: |
| 1/4 cup Chana Dal |
| 1/4 cup Urad Dal |
| 1/4 cup Sesame Seeds |
| 5 Dry Red Chillis |
| 5-6 Curry Leaves |
| 1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing) |
| Salt to taste |
| 1½ teaspoons Oil |
Directions:
Measure all the lentils and other ingredients and keep them ready.- Heat 1/2 teaspoon oil in a pan over medium flame. Add chana dal.
- Sauté it over medium-low flame until light golden brown and nice aroma comes. Transfer it to a plate and let it cool at room temperature.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon oil in the same pan. Add urad dal.
- Sauté it over medium-low flame until light golden brown and nice aroma comes. Transfer it to the same plate and let it cool at room temperature. Make sure that dal doesn’t burn or turn black.
- Add sesame seeds in the same pan.
- Roast them until light golden brown. Transfer them to the same plate.
- Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil in the same pan. Add dried red chilli and curry leaves.
- Sauté until curry leaves turn crispy. Turn off the flame. Add asafetida.
- Mix well. Transfer them to the same plate.
- Let all the ingredients cool at room temperature.
- When they cool completely, transfer them to the jar of a mixer grinder or a blender. Add salt.
- Grind until smooth powder. If you like, you can grind them until slightly coarse, medium coarse or fine powder. Store it in an airtight container. It stays good for 15-20 days at room temperature and for 5-6 months in the refrigerator.
Tips and Variations:
- You can dry roast all the ingredients without using oil.
- For less spicy powder, use dry kashmiri red chilli or decrease the amount of dry red chilli.
- For spicier powder, increase the amount of dry red chilli to make it spicier.
- For variation, add 2 tablespoons dry coconut and 2 cloves of garlic. Dry roast the coconut until light golden brown. Roast the garlic using 1/4 teaspoon oil until light golden. Then add them in step-12 with other ingredients.
Taste: Spicy
Serving Ideas: Mix idli podi with ghee or sesame oil and serve with plain dosa or idli or uttapam or steamed rice as an accompaniment. You can coat the idlis with ghee mixed podi and pack in the lunchbox.