Molagai Podi/Spicy Lentil Chutney Powder is a spicy south Indian mixed lentil-chilli chutney powder, normally served with oil (or melted ghee) as a condiment or accompaniment with various Indian dishes like dosas (savory rice-lentil crepes), idlis (steamed rice-lentil cakes) etc. “Molaga” or “molagai” is chillies in Tamil (a south Indian language) and “podi” is powder. Dry red chillies are roasted with a lentil mixture (split black gram and split chick peas or Bengal gram dal) along with sesame seeds (optional), curry leaves (also optional, but gives an amazing healthy twist to the chutney powder!), mustard seeds and hing/asafetida and then powdered either fine or coarse. Every household in south India has this condiment powder in their pantry all the time; either homemade or store bought. As far as I can remember, my mother (she makes the best molaga podi to date!) used to always make sure there is a bottle of chutney powder in our pantry all the time and the tradition goes on!
Every morning, our breakfast of idlis, dosas, uttupams etc. was always served with sambhar or coconut chutney and sometimes both; but my plate would always have molaga podi along with it! I love it so much that every time I needed a spicy mid morning or a front-of-the-TV snack, you would find me eating molaga podi (mixed with coconut oil, vegetable oil or sometimes melted ghee!!) with slices of soft bread!
To satisfy my molaga podi obsession without the added calories or fat from excess oil, I would just mix the chutney powder with coconut chutney and enjoy! You should try it too!! So what are you waiting for? Whip up this easy Indian spicy chutney powder (also called “gunpowder” by some because of its fiery taste!) and make your breakfast more exciting and tasty! Try Molaga Podi with: Instant Rava Idli Instant Multigrain Ragi Dosa Instant Ragi Rava Dosa
I am sharing this with #FoodFriday | #FiestaFriday cohosted by CH @ Cooking From My Heart and Nimmi @ Adorable Life| #WasteNotWednesday | #RecipeoftheWeek Cook Time: 15 minutes
1 cup split urad dal 1 cup chana dal 1 cup dry red chillies (more or less according to how spicy you want your chutney powder) ½ teaspoon hing/asafetida Few Curry leaves (optional) 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 2 teaspoons cooking oil (coconut or sesame oil) Salt to taste
Instructions Notes For another flavor dimension, stir in ¼ cup of white sesame seeds while roasting. This chutney powder/gunpowder makes amazing masala idlis!! On a tawa or flat griddle, heat a few spoons of oil, splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves along with a pinch of hing. Toss in chopped idlis along with chutney powder and mix well. Stir fry until hot and slightly roasted. Serve immediately as an evening snack or as appetizers or starters. My favorite way of enjoying chutney powder any time is with soft slices of my favorite bread!! Just dunk the bread with the lentil powder mixture in oil and enjoy!!! It stays fresh for a couple of months on the shelf. For longer storage, you can freeze it. If you like my posts and recipes, do not forget to Pin, Share, comment in the box below or like my Facebook page
