Milagaipodi/ Molagapodi a.k.a Gunpowder – Mixed Lentil Chutney Powder

MilagaipodiMolagapodi / or Gunpowder as it popularly known, is a coarse chutney powder. It is made of lentils, dried red chillies and asafetida, and found in most Palakkad Iyer and Tamil kitchens. It is popularly known by non-Tamil Indians as “gun powder” because of its level of spice from red chillies (milagai/ molagai) in it. Home-made versions are usually less spicier. When mixed with oil, the spice levels are less discernible to the tongue. Milagipodi/ molagapodi is best eaten with Idlis though it is excellent with dosas as well.

Traditionally, Milagapodi is made with split Black Gram lentils (urad dal) and  split Bengal Gram lentils (chana dal) in a 2 or 3: 1 ratio. However, one can add small amounts of other lentils to the mix if one chooses to. There would a minor difference in taste but would still be nutty and just as tasty. I usually use a combination of whole Mung lentils, split Bengal lentils and split black gram lentils. You can use whatever variety of split Black Gram lentils you can find, white or the one with the black skin still on it. Even whole Black Gram lentils without skin works. I also add sesame seeds, something I learnt from my mother-in-law.

To serve, take a large spoon of the Milagaipodi/ Molagapodi (chutney powder)and add teaspoonsful of oil, as required. Mix to a thick-ish flowing consistency. Traditionally, we use either sesame seed (gingelly) oil or “varutha ennai” (fried oil – direct translation) for Milagapodi. Varutha ennai is oil left over from frying pappads or other food and is never reused for frying. It has an interesting flavour. Regular cooking oil is just fine, too.

The ultimate combination would be idlis with Milagaipodi. For me personally, if Milagaipodi is the choice of accompaniment with idlis, dosas and a variety of other South Indian Tiffins/ breakfasts and I would never miss the usual chutneys or sambhar. Our daughter loves this just as much. In fact, she almost always adds a bit of sugar to the milagaipodi and oil which my husband refers to as Akshaya’s “concrete”!!! He prefers his idlis and dosas with chutney or sambhar, though.

Milagaipodi/ Molagapodi a.k.a Gunpowder - Mixed Lentil Chutney Powder

A South Indian coarse chutney powder made of lentils, dried red chillies and asafetida served as a side with Idlis (steamed rice and lentil cakes) and Dosa (savoury crepes).

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course condiments

Cuisine Indian

Servings 1 jar

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 cups black gram lentils split
• 1/4 cup Bengal gram lentils split
• 1/4 cup mung lentils whole
• 2 tbsps sesame seeds white
• 6 to 10 chillies red
• 1/4 tsp asafetida powder
• to taste salt

Instructions

 

• Dry roast the sesame seeds till they start popping. Keep aside. Similarly, dry roast all the lentils/ dals, separately, till light brown. While the last dal to be roasted is almost done add the chillies and asafetida. Allow to cool.
• Dry grind all the ingredients together with salt to a somewhat coarse powder. Store in airtight glass or steel containers.