Amongst the endless varieties of spice powders in the Indian kitchen, Kootu Podi occupies a prominent spot. While the primary purpose of this powder is to spice up Kootu, a lentil and vegetable-based dal/stew recipe, it is also used in Spinach Dal, Sambar and some dry vegetable sautés.

Indian Spice (Masala) Powders

Typically, there is a spice powder for almost any kind of recipe in Indian cuisine. The Indian term used is ‘Masala’ and it literally means ‘spice’. If you walk into an Indian grocery store, or shop online for ‘masala’ you will run into a dazzling array of offerings. Yes, it is confusing. And not just that, most of these spices have added preservatives, colors, taste enhancers and what not. Plus, you never know how long the masala powders have been lying on the store shelf. The longer the time whole spices are ground up and left unused, the lesser the flavor and nutrition. Years ago, I decided to stop buying packaged spices and decided to make my own. It has worked out very well for me, both in terms of health and taste. Homemade spice mixes are so easy to make and last long in the fridge, so they are certainly worth the effort.

Ingredients for Kootu Podi

As with most of my recipes, this is a hand-me-down from my mom. She would make a decent quantity for me every year when I visited India. It used to last me for almost a year in the fridge. The ingredients may vary slightly from other similar masala powders, but the overall flavor does not change much. This Kootu Podi is made by sautéing the following ingredients in half a teaspoon of oil for 4-6 minutes, cooling and blending them into a coarse powder:

• Dry chili peppers (15)
• Coriander seeds (1 cup)
• Chana dal (3/4 cup)
• Black peppercorns (1 teaspoon)
• Fenugreek seeds (1 tablespoon)
• Urad dal (2 tablespoons)
• Cumin seeds (1 tablespoon) and
• Mustard seeds (1 tablespoon)
• Dry grated coconut (1/4 cup)

Kootu Podi Ingredients

Check out our range of home-made spice powders here:

• Homemade Moringa-Curry Leaf Spice Powder
• Kharam Podi – Spiced Idli Chutney Powder
• South Indian Curry Powder
• Sesame Chutney Powder
• Ridge Gourd Curry Powder Sauté (a recipe with its own curry powder)
• Make-Your-Own Garam Masala
• Spicy Garlic Chutney Powder

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Kootu Podi

This delicious spice powder has a kick to it. Add it to your dals, stews or sautéed vegetables and take the flavor to a different level!

Course Curry Powder

Cuisine Indian, South Indian

Keyword chutney powder, curry powder, homemade masala, homemade spice powder, Kootu Podi, Kootu Powder, Kootu,, Masala, Sambar Powder

Special Diet Gluten Free, Grain Free, No Added Sugar, Nut Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 50 People

Calories 22kcal

Equipment

• 1 Le Crueset Nonstick Pan
• 1 Preethi Blender

Ingredients

• 15 Peppers Dry Chili Pepper - Medium size
• 1 Cup Coriander Seeds
• 3/4 Cup Chana Dal
• 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper - Peppercorns
• 1 Tablespoon Fenugreek Seeds
• 2 Tablespoons Urad Dal
• 1 Tablespoon Cumin Seeds
• 1 Tablespoon Mustard Seeds
• 1/4 Cup Grated Coconut - Dried
• 1 Teaspoon Rice Bran Oil

Instructions

• Heat 1 teaspoon oil on medium flame. Sauté mustard, cumin, fenugreek, black pepper and roast until they are fragrant. Make sure you are constantly stirring the ingredients.
  
• Add chana dal, coriander seeds, dry chili, dry coconut. Continue roasting and frequently mixing until the dal and coconut turn light brown.
  
• Set aside to cool and blend to a coarse powder. You can store this in an airtight bottle either in the freezer or the refrigerator for up to 12 months.
  
• Add to Cabbage Kootu, Spinach Dal or Sambar.
  

Notes

Add to Kootu, Spinach Dal or Sambar.

*Use organic ingredients wherever possible

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Kootu Podi

Amount per Serving

Calories

22

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

1

g

2

%

Saturated Fat

 

0.3

g

2

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

0.1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

0.3

g

Sodium

 

1

mg

0

%

Potassium

 

34

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

 

3

g

1

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

0.2

g

0

%

Protein

 

1

g

2

%

Vitamin A

 

81

IU

2

%

Vitamin C

 

0.5

mg

1

%

Calcium

 

19

mg

2

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.