Ellu Milagai Podi (Gun Powder with Sesame Seeds)

Milagai podi aka idly podi is an indispensable dish in south Indian homes.Many a times when there is no time/ingredients to make an elaborate sambar or even simple chutney,this podi (powder) comes handy and in my opinion this is the best combination for idly along with some sesame oil.I have already blogged about a version of gun powder here and this is one more kind we make.There will be a recipe from home to home with variations for this gun powder and the one I am blogging here uses white sesame seeds and more chillies.Very strong and nutty flavored gun powder,kind of authentic and it is really hot.No pacifiers here :)A small amount goes long way,though dunking the idlys in a good amount of podi is great way to enjoy(if you can handle spice). One more thing I would like to mention is though we use lota of chillies here,this powder is supposed to be mixed sesame oil while serving and that balances the heat very well.Please try it out and let me know :)

Ellu milagai podi recipe
Star ingredients:Dried red chillies and white sesame seeds
Time:20 minutes
Yield: A little less than 1 cup
A good podi calls for really good ingredients.Use thin long variety dried chillies for nice color and flavor and heat level.Use fresh sesame seeds for more nutty and flavorful podi
Ingredients:
12-15 dried red chillies
2 tablespoons urad dal
2 tablespoons channa dal
2 teaspoons asafoetida
1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
Sesame oil
Salt
Method:
1.Add 3 teaspoons sesame oil in a kadai and heat for 3-5 minutes.
2.Fry all the ingredients except salt one by one in hot oil over medium flame.till nice flavor comes out.Take care not to burn any thing.
3.Allow to cool thoroughly and grind to a coarse powder.Add required amount of salt and mix well.
4.Store in an airtight box.
Notes:
1.You can use black sesame seeds instead of white for a dark color podi.
2.You can add roasted dal,peanuts etc but that would reduce the flavor of sesame seeds
3.Adjust salt according to the spice level