Ellu Podi | MIL's Ellu Podi Recipe | Sesame Seed Powder | Til Powder

Ellu podi / Sesame seeds powder is one of the best podi in the world. It is generally made with sesame seeds alone but you can also make them along with urad dal. My mother-in-law used to make this often at home. Everyone at home are addicted to this. Especially my sister-in-law's little daughter who is just 2+ years old. She is a great fan of ellu podi. My hubby used to say that his mom makes the best ellu podi ever. So I wanted to share this delicious ellu podi with you. Recipe after the jump.

Ellu Podi

Ingredients:

Sesame seed / Ellu - 200gm

Urad dal / Uzhundhu - 50gm

Garlic - 1, whole

Red Chilli - 9

Tamarind - 1 1/2 lemon sized

Salt - to taste

Method:

Dry roast red chilli and urad dal separately and transfer it to a plate and let it cool down.

In the same pan, roast sesame seeds in high flame and let it crackle. When crackling sounds reduces transfer it to a plate.

Now in a mixer, grind urad dal and red chilli into a smooth powder.

Once the chilli and urad dal become smooth powder, add sesame seeds and grind well.

Then, add garlic, tamarind and salt and blend well.

Serve with idly, dosa or rice.

Note:

• Adding urad dal is to avoid lumps in sesame seed i.e., to get a powder consistency. So this is optional, you can also make this powder with sesame seeds alone.
• Avoid grinding everything in a single time. You may feel difficult to grind and it will not grind properly. Initially grind urad dal, chilli followed by sesame seeds.
• Do not reduce the amount of tamarind. They play a major role in this. The amount can be increased but never reduce it.
• If you reduce the tamarind it will become bland.

 Pictorial:

Keep all your ingredients ready

Dry roast red chillies

Transfer it to a plate to cool down

Again, roast urad dal until golden brown as shown in the figure

Similarly, In a high flame saute the sesame seeds. Once the crackling sound reduces remove from flame

First, grind urad dal and red chilli

into a smooth powder

And then, add sesame seeds and blend well

Then, add garlic, tamarind and salt. Blend everything together

Its ready!