Puliyodharai Powder

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried red chillies
• 1/2 cup coriander seeds
• 1/4 cup chana dal (split chickpeas)
• 2 tablespoons urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
• 10-12 curry leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

Instructions

1. Dry Roasting: In a pan over medium-low heat, dry roast each of the following ingredients separately until they turn aromatic and slightly golden. Be careful not to burn them. Transfer them to a plate after roasting:

   • Dried red chillies
   • Coriander seeds
   • Chana dal
   • Urad dal
   • Fenugreek seeds

2. Mustard and Cumin: In the same pan, dry roast mustard seeds and cumin seeds until they start to splutter. Transfer to the plate.

3. Curry Leaves: Add curry leaves to the pan and roast for a minute until they turn crisp. Remove and set aside.

4. Asafoetida: Roast the asafoetida (hing) in the pan for a few seconds. Be careful as it can burn quickly.

5. Cooling: Allow all the roasted ingredients to cool down completely.

6. Grinding: Once the roasted ingredients are cool, transfer them to a spice grinder or mixer. Add turmeric powder as well.

7. Grind: Grind the ingredients into a fine powder. Make sure not to overgrind, as the mixture can turn into a paste due to the oils from the seeds.

8. Storage: Once ground, store the puliyodarai powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It can stay fresh for several weeks.

Using Puliyodarai Powder

To make puliyodarai rice, cook rice and let it cool. In a pan, heat some oil, add mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, and curry leaves. Once they splutter and turn golden, add tamarind paste, jaggery, salt, and the prepared puliyodarai powder. Mix well, then add the cooked rice and mix until the rice is coated evenly with the spice mix.

Puliyodarai is typically served with papad or a side of vegetables. Adjust the amount of puliyodarai powder according to your spice preference. Enjoy the tangy and flavorful goodness of this traditional South Indian dish!

Remember, the proportions of the ingredients in the recipe can be adjusted according to your taste preferences, and you can add or omit ingredients as you like