Molagai Podi/South Indian Chutney Powder

By Curryandvanilla

A spicy mixed lentils powder, normally enjoyed with a bit of oil (preferably sesame or coconut oil) as a condiment with dosas (Indian savory crepes), idlis (Indian soft steamed rice-lentil cakes) etc.

shares Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it Share on WhatsApp Share on Google+

Rate this recipe 4.8/5 (7 Votes)

Molagai Podi/South Indian Chutney Powder

1 Picture

Chicken biryani south Indian style

Ragi Pakoda

Ingredients

1 cup split urad dal/Split black gram
1 cup chana dal/split Bengal gram or split chickpea
1 cup dry red chillies (more or less according to how spicy you want your chutney powder)
½ teaspoon hing/asafetida
Few Curry leaves (optional)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoons cooking oil (coconut or sesame oil)
Salt to taste

Details

Level of difficulty Easy
Cost Average budget

Preparation

Step 1

In a large kadai or deep saucepan, heat oil and add mustards seeds.
Once the seeds start to crackle and splutter, add curry leaves and fry for a few seconds.

Step 2

Lower the heat to medium low and stir in the dals (urad and chana) along with dry red chillies and roast or fry on medium low heat until the mixture is lightly fried and light brown in color. Do not fry on high heat; keep stirring continuously on medium low heat and make sure the mixture does not burn; especially the red chillies. Over roasting will lend a bitter taste to the chutney powder.

Step 3

Just before removing from heat, stir in hing/asafetida powder, mix well and let cool. The heat of the mixture will roast the hing.

Step 4

Powder the roasted mixture in a blender jar or coffee grinder. You can blend it fine or leave it a bit coarse (the way I like it!). I love the slight crunch of roasted lentils in every bite!

Step 5

Stir in salt to taste, mix well and store in airtight bottles until ready to use.

Step 6

To serve with dosas, idlis, uttapams, bread etc., spoon chutney powder on your serving plate, pour required amount of oil (3 teaspoons powder with 1 to 2 teaspoons or more of oil) in the center and mix well.

All the ingredients like lentils and red chillies can be roasted separately too and made into a powder.
Adjust the amount of dry red chilllies according to your spice level. If you want a lovely red color, use some kashmiri red chillies which impart only color and not heat.
For another flavor dimension, stir in ¼ cup of white sesame seeds while roasting.
This chutney powder/gunpowder makes amazing masala idlis!! On a tawa or flat griddle, heat a few spoons of oil, splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves along with a pinch of hing. Toss in chopped idlis along with chutney powder and mix well. Stir fry until hot and slightly roasted. Serve immediately as an evening snack or as appetizers or starters.
My favorite way of enjoying chutney powder any time is with soft slices of my favorite bread!! Just dunk the bread with the lentil powder mixture in oil and enjoy!!!
It stays fresh for a couple of months on the shelf. For longer storage, you can freeze it.