Sambar Podi (Tamilnadu style)

Sambar and Indian cuisine are inseparable. Sambar is a dhal based curry prepared with certain vegetables and poured over rice. The flavor and color of a typical sambar relies on the sambar podi (podi means powder). So it is a must to prepare a good quality sambar. In India the masala powders are normally ground in a dry mill. The house lady has to make several batches of the dry ingredients and pack them to the mill through some housemaid.

After marriage, I lost the interest to prepare the masala powders at home because of several reasons.  First I could not make our modern maid to carry all the containers to a grinding mill as we do in our parent's house and I too shied to carry them all along that streets:) Then our need was so small to imagine. So I started buying Sakthi masala powders in the beginning and somehow it became a habit of me. But recently I was forced to prepare this authentic sambar powder due to a misplaced shopping list and hence I prepared it in a small quantity (see below) for that month. It turned out much easier and I couldn't control my joy on tasting my mom's sambar after a very very long time. The flavor of the sambar powder not only filled our house but also our hearts too:) Nowadays home made sambar podi has totally replaced that convenient sachets in my house.

Here is that authentic sambar powder recipe.

Freshly prepared Sambar powder.

Ingredients:

coriander seed - 2 cup
dry red chilly - 2 cup
(or chilly powder - 3/4 cup)
cumin - 1/4 cup
black pepper - 1/4 cup
fenugreek (methi / venthayam) - 1 tbsp
mustard - 1 tbsp
turmeric - 1 tsp
asafoetida - 1 tsp
channa dhal - 3 tbsp
urad dhal - 3 tbsp

Method:

The red chilly I have mentioned here is for basic need only. Mostly I prepare my sambar podi without red chillies and add the red chilly powder while making sambar. By this we can avoid the hastle of powdering red chillies and also we can alter the chillies according to need every day.
Heat a wok and dry roast all the above separately (except turmeric, chilly and asafoetida powders). Dry roast the dry chilly in  batches at last , to avoid sneezing. Take out and keep them together in a broad plate (or muram , a very broad winnowing tool / basket).
After they cool completely, grind them to a fine powder. Then spread the powder in a broad paper and keep in room temperature to loose the heat generated during grinding, otherwise the powder may turn black. Store it in an air tight container.

How to use this powder?

Makes nearly 2 cups of powder. This powder can be used in making all kinds of sambar, vatha kulambu, idly sambar, poriyal etc. It will be enough for 2 adults for 2 months. If stored in freezer / fridge, this podi remains very fresh and fragrant.

To make sambar with 1/2 cup toor dhal, use 1.5 tbsp home made sambar powder.

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சாம்பார் பொடி செய்ய தேவையான பொருள்:
கொத்தமல்லி விதை  - 2 கப்
காய்ந்த மிளகாய் - 2 கப்
(அல்லது மிளகாய் பொடி  - 3/4 கப்)
சீரகம்  - 1/4 கப்
மிளகு  - 1/4 கப்
வெந்தயம்  - 1 மேசைக்கரண்டி
கடுகு  - 1 மேசைக்கரண்டி 
மஞ்சள் தூள்  - 1 தேக்கரண்டி
பெருங்காயத்தூள்  - 1 தேக்கரண்டி
கடலை பருப்பு - 3 மேசைக்கரண்டி
உளுந்தம்பருப்பு - 3 மேசைக்கரண்டி

மேலே கொடுத்த அனைத்து பொருட்களையும் தனி தனியே வாணலியில் வாசம் வரும் வரை வறுத்து , ஒன்றாக சேர்த்து அரைக்கவும். காய்ந்த மிளகாய் உபயோகிக்காமல் மிளகாய் தூள் உபயோகிப்பது , நம் சுவாசத்துக்கு நல்லது. கார நெடி பிடிக்காதவர்கள் மிளகாயை வறுத்து  அரைப்பதை தவிர்த்து, மிளகாய் தூளை லேசாக சூடாக்கி , சாம்பார் பொடியில் சேர்த்தால் மிகவும் சுவையாகவும், செய்முறை  எளிதாகவும் இருக்கும். 

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சாம்பார் செய்முறை:
1/2 கப் துவரம்பருப்புக்கு 1 1/2  தேக்கரண்டி சாம்பார் பொடி  சேர்த்தால் போதும் .
பருப்பு வெந்த பின் , காய்கறிகளை வேகவைத்து , இந்த சாம்பார் பொடி  சேர்த்து பருப்புடன் சேர்த்து கொதிக்க வைக்க வேண்டும்.
நெய் சேர்த்து தாளித்தால்  , சாம்பார் ரெடி.

Malli Puthina thuvaiyal

(Malli - cilantro / coriander leaf; puthina - mint leaf; thovaiyal - chutney)

Malli Puthina thuvaiyal is a thick chutney, normally prepared using a hand mortar (ammi in Tamil). It is a very common chutney in Indian household. The mint leaf and cilantro (coriander leaf) are known for their medicinal values. This chutney combines both in a more delicious way.
There are so many variations in making this simple chutney. I am noting down my mom's version.

Malli Puthina thuvaiyal.

Ingredients:

Mint leaf - 20 branches (small bunch)
cilantro - 1/2 the quantity of mint leaf
green chillies - 5
tamarind - a blueberry size
garlic - 1 clove
cumin - 1/4 tsp
salt - to taste

To temper:

mustard seed - 1/2 tsp
black gram - 1/2 tsp
sesame oil - 2 tbsp + 1 tbsp
curry leaf - 1 sprig

Method:

Pick leaves and young stem from the cilantro bunch. Take the leaves alone from the mint bunch.
(Refrigerate and Store the mint stem for tea).
Wash and clean the leaves. Care should be taken to remove all the sand particles in the leaves.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok. Add the black gram and let it get mild red color. Then add the cleaned leaves, green chilly, garlic, cumin and fry till the leaves wilt.
Switch off and let it cool. Add salt, tamarind and grind it to a fine paste with minimal water.

Now heat 2 tbsp oil in the same wok. Slide in the mustard and let it crackle. Put the curry leaves and the fry it. Then carefully slide in the chutney. Stir well till oil oozes out and reaches an almost thick stage (as shown in figure).

Malli puthina chutney is ready!

Serving suggestions:

Serve as side dish with chapathi, idly or dosai.
I prefer this chutney with most of the variety rices (chithrannam) like tamarind rice, lemon rice, curd rice etc.
If prepared with more oil and tamarind, this can be stored in room temperature for a week. Good for a packed food during long travels as this chutney won't get spoiled if handled with care.