Red Chillis & Lentils Powder (Milagai Podi)

Milagai podi is made from red chillis and lentils and is practically the lifeline in any South Indian Household. Perfect for the tiffins like Idli or Dosa, this powder can also spice up the curries or gravies or for stir-fries.This quintessential powder is fondly called as the aabathu pandavan ( Meaning one who is there for all times ) in my home. So I was spurred in to action when i realised there was only little left !!!!

Ingredients--  ( though quantity is given, it is better to blend the ingredients as per taste - I like my spice powder to be hot, so the red chillis are more !!)

• Red chillis - 1 1/4 cup
• Urad Dal (lentils) - 1/2 cup
• chana dal - 1/4 cup
• White Sesame Seeds - a fistful 
• Salt ( as per taste) , Asafoetida ( a pinch)

How :-


In a wok dry roast the red chillis, urad dal, chana dal and white til. The sesame seeds adds a lot of fragrance to the mix, not to mention its health aspects. Be careful not to blacken and burn the entire contents.


Once the mix comes to a dusky hue allow it to cool while bathing in the smell of the lethal combo of chillis and dal.


Now grind it to a a rough powder. Let the contents not be too smooth. The bite of an occasional coarse dal adds to the zing.



Enjoy the mologa podi with Idli, Dosa, Utthappam et al !