This idli podi recipe is a traditional chilly and lentil spice powder dish that is served as an accompaniment to idlis and dosas. It is a staple item in all South Indian households. The perfect condiment to idlis and dosa, I have very fond child hood memories assosciated with this dish. They taste delicious when served with some crispy dosa or soft fluffy idlis.
We always had idlis and dosa almost every other day in our house and sometimes mom would just give us this idli podi to go with it instead of chutney or sambar. Back then, I used to wonder how difficult it must be to whip up some side dish instead of giving us this! But that now I am a mom myself, I understand. Sometimes, we need stuff like this to help get through a long day.
Idli milagai podi was not as well recieved as a sambar or chutney by me and my sister, but if the idlis were coated generously with this podi and nalla ennai (sesame oil), left to soak up all the flavours for a few hours and then served, it tasted just divine! I used to look forward to these podi soaked idlis, while we travelled. Podi idlis during travel was the most common dish back then.
This idli podi recipe for toddlers is a milder and a healthier version of the traditional recipe. It can be enjoyed by the adults as well. I always have some podi at home. But I did not give them to my little one as it was my mom’s podi and it was a bit spicy. When I ran out of my mom’s podi this time, I decided to make them myself, instead of waiting for the next shipment from India.
I don’t really know why it took me so long to make them myself. They are
- So easy to make
- Tastes much better because they are ground fresh
- Can control the spice levels
- Made extra nutitious with the addition of sesame , flax seeds and nuts
If you are making this for the little ones at home, you can add very little chillies. They are usually served by mixing them with nalla ennai (sesame oil) or ghee. Go ahead and make a batch of this delicious idli podi and save yourself some time when you need a break from cooking!
Tradtional idli milagai podi with the addition of flax seeds and walnuts for some extra goodness
- 1/2 cup Urad dal
- 1/4 cup channa dal
- 15 to 20 Dried red chillies (use about 5 to 6 if making this for toddlers)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (can use black or white sesame seeds)
- 3 tbsp walnuts
- 2 tbsp flax seeds
- 1 tsp raw rice
- 1/4 tsp asafoetida
- 2 sprigs curry leaves (optional)
- salt as needed
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Heat a kadai/ non stick pan and roast all the ingredients carefully (except salt) in low-medium flame until the lentils are nice golden brown in color.
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Cool them down and grind everything to a somewhat coarse paste.
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Store it an airtight container as use as a side dish for idlis/ dosa.
Can also add peanuts for some flavor.
Take care not to burn the lentils and spices while roasting them.
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This podi looks interesting. Have never come across Idli podi with walnuts and flax seeds.
Thank you deepti! 🙂