Idli Podi or Milagai Podi also popularly known as gun powder is an easy to make accompaniment which goes very well with Idlies, dosas or steamed rice. Here is how to make Idli Podi at home (Step by Step + Video Recipe).
Idli Podi was so new to me when I reached Bangalore for the first time and the neighbour aunty offered me the breakfast of fluffy, soft idlies and Radish Sambhar, sprinkled with some yellow crunchy powder and ghee oozing from the sides.
She said it’s Idli Podi and that the powder is very versatile in terms of its use and can be sprinkled on dosas or on top of rice or can be had as a side with any meal. I was intrigued I must say. And then when I saw the same powder in all of the meal places around city, I knew how important it is in the South Indian cuisine.
On asking the name, I got many answers and the one which looked easy to remember was Gun Powder. Why Gun, I have no clue, but the taste of this Idli Podi is amazing and is sure to take your Idlies on a next level.
Milagai Podi can be sprinkled over idlies and then some ghee is poured on top. It makes a great combination. You can also sprinkle some of the podi while making dosas. The dry powder sticks to the slightly wet batter and gives a wonderful flavor to the dosas.
You can also serve this powder along with some steamed rice drizzled with ghee. Idli Powder can be made in bulk and can be refrigerated for up to a month in a refrigerator. Here is how to make Idli Podi or Milagai Podi.
Tips to make best Idli Podi
Always roast the lentil on low heat. It will make sure they are roasted till inside and gets very crunchy.
You can also add some sesame seeds to this milagai podi. Roast them separately with lentils.
You can grind the podi slightly coarse if you like more crunchy texture.
Flax Seeds Idli Podi
Adding flax seeds in Idli Podi is a great way to include it in our diet. To make podi with flax seeds, just add 1/2 cup of flax seeds along with the roasting ingredients and roast along with them until they are also slightly browned. Then grind as mentioned in the recipe below.
How to make Idli Podi with Garlic
To make Idli Podi with Garlic, finely chop 1/4 cup of garlic. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and roast the garlic until browned and crisp. Add it in the below mentioned recipe.
How to serve idli podi
Mix the podi with hot sesame oil or ghee and serve it on the side of idli or dosa.
You can smear it over the dosa while cooking it.
Toss the idli in oil and podi mixture before serving.
You can also sprinkle it over rice and ghee.
I like to sprinkle some in my sandwiches too.
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How to make Idli Podi Step by Step
Dry roast urad dal, chana dal and sesame seeds till slightly browned and fragrant.
In the same pan, add oil. When the oil is hot, add hing and curry leaves. Fry for a few seconds.
Add dry red chilies and fry for a few seconds.
Add coconut and fry till slightly browned.
Remove in the same plate. Let the mixture cool.
Grind in a grinder to make a smooth powder. Add salt and mix well.
Milagai Podi Video Recipe
Idli Podi Recipe
Milagai Podi
Milagai Podi or Idli podi also popularly known as gun powder is a easy to make accompaniment which goes very well with Idlies, dosas or steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Urad Dal
- 1/2 cup Chana Dal
- 2 tsp Sesame Seeds
- 2 tsp Oil
- 1/4 tsp Hing
- 15-20 Curry Leaves
- 20-25 Dry Red Chillies
- 1/4 cup Fresh Coconut Grated
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Dry roast urad dal, chana dal and sesame seeds till slightly browned and fragrant.
Remove in a plate.
In the same pan, add oil.
When the oil is hot, add hing and curry leaves.
Fry for a few seconds.
Add dry red chilies and fry for a few seconds.
Add coconut and fry till slightly browned.
Remove in the same plate.
Let the mixture cool.
Grind in a grinder to make a smooth powder.
Add salt and mix well.
Store the powder in an airtight container for up a month in refrigerator.
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