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July 18, 2016

Idli Sambar Powder Recipe – How To Make Hotel Idli Sambar Podi

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Idli sambar powder recipe
Homemade idli sambar powder – Idli sambar can be prepared in many ways. But most of the people like hotel idli sambar ( restaurant style idli sambar) as it has got a special flavor.Usually my Mom & MIL makes Idli sambar adding freshly ground spices in addition to our usual Kuzhambu milagai thool/sambar powder just like hotels. My mom calls this powder “Mel podi” in Tamil. My MIL makes this sambar podi every time freshly whereas my mom makes this powder in bulk quantity and stock it for a week. She adds this powder to idli sambar and lunch sambar as well. Its a very simple recipe with just 5 ingredients. Sendhil loves hotel style idli sambar as it is more flavorful than the plain idli sambar. But most of the time especially during busy morning hours, I make a simple onion sambar for idli without adding mel podi. Recently my mom suggested me to grind and store this idli sambar powder and use it whenever needed. I gave a try and it really helped me for quick & easy cooking. Its smell & flavor lasted for more than 2 weeks even though I made in small quantity. If you have leftover lunch sambar in hand, you can add this powder to convert into idli sambar. Check out Notes section in this post. I have shared in detail.Friends, do try this idli sambar powder and make restaurant style sambar at home easily. Lets see how to make it.
Idli sambar powder recipe

Idli sambar powder - Hotel idli sambar podi


Idli sambar powder - Hotel idli sambar podi How to make idli sambar powder at home for making hotel style sambar
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Homemade powders
Serves: 1/2 cup
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp - 15ml : 1 tsp - 5ml
  • Dhania/Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp (heaped)
  • Chana dal - 2 tbsp
  • Methi seeds/ Fenugreek - 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds/Jeera - 1 tsp
  • Red chilli - 5 nos ( I used byadge & guntur chillies for color & spiciness)
  • Cooking oil - 1 tsp
For variations you can few curry leaves while roasting. Dry grated coconut can be added while grinding but not more than 1 tsp.
METHOD

  • In a small kadai, heat oil. Add the methi seeds, when it starts to sizzle add the chana dal, pinched red chillies, cumin seeds and dhania seeds.Roast everything in low to medium flame. Make sure no dals or spices are burnt.
Idli sambar powder recipe
  • Let them cool down. Grind everything to a fine powder. Store in an air tight box and use it whenever needed. This sambar powder stays good for one week if stored in an air tight box.
Idli sambar powder recipe
  • Please refer my HOTEL IDLI SAMBAR post for the procedure of making sambar. In that recipe, I have shared the ingredients of spices to roast & grind. No need to make that powder. Instead add 1 tbsp of  this sambar powder at the end.Give a boil.Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. If you have left over lunch sambar in hand, you can easily convert that into hotel style idli sambar. For that : Season mustard seeds, cumin and curry leaves in ghee ( Add chopped small onions if needed). Add 1 tbsp of this idli powder in the ghee,saute for a second and add to the left over sambar. Dilute 1 tbsp of besan flour in 1/4 cup of water. Add to the sambar. Mix everything well. Let the sambar boil nicely. Check for taste and add more salt or sambar powder if needed.Enjoy !
Note : In this recipe, I have used less number of chillies. So I add either green chilli or add some sambar powder or red chilli powder for extra spiciness. So please add more chilli powder or chillies as per you need.
Try to prepare this sambar 1-2 hours before serving. This standing time helps for all the flavor to enhance while serving. You can use this powder for making sambar 3-4 times.
Try this homemade idli sambar powder and share your feedback with me.

Idli sambar podi recipe



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4 comments :

Sindhujabalaji said...

Perfect and keeper recipe for a lazy girl like me,most of the time I skipped hotel sambar Coz of this instant podi,though I have homemade sambar podi with me,I loved tp add fresh instant podi for tiffin sambar,will try for little quantity.thanx for sharing idea,sister
P.s Kharabhath,bisibelebath powder from ur blog already hit @my home☺️☺️

Chitra said...

Thank you so much Sindhuja :) Do try this version. Hope you will like it :)

Priya said...

Can we roast the ingredients without oil for long shelf life?

Chitra said...

Yes you can do it. Just a drop of oil also works.