Molagai Podi

Which Tamil household will not have a stock of Molagai Podi? Kannadigas call it chutney podi, but thats a sweeter version of gunpowder at Tam homes.

Here is how I make it.

Small cup udad dal  - Dry Roast till brown
10-15 Red chillies - dry roast
Salt - 2 spoons max
A small piece of asafoetida roasted in oil or a ladle of sesame dry roasted (though if you add sesame, add it in the end while grinding, not all together)
Chana daal 2 spoons - dry roast

Once all these are dry roasted, grind it all to a powder - fine or coarse depending on how you like it.

There are more versions around. Some dry roast a bit of tamarind and grind it as well. Others add some roasted peanuts. Still others add a bit of jaggery. And some of the really fiery ones, have, obviously, more red chillies.

Enjoy!