Kootu podi is a spice mix essential for flavoring kootu, a South Indian vegetable stew. It is a must-have for those who frequently cook South Indian cuisine.
Kootu podi | How to make kootu podi | What is kootu podi | Iyer style kootu spice powder | Kootu and rasam powder | Two in one Spice powder | How to make kootu | Easy Kootu Recipes | Tambrahm style Kootu spice mix | Must have spice powders | South-Indian Kitchen Spice powders
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What is Kootu?
Kootu (Tamil:கூட்டு) is a Tamil word means to add, combine, mix. In the dish, vegetables are combined with lentils to make the dish kootu. Not only vegetables, you can combine legumes like chickpeas, black-eyed peas, edible flowers etc to make kootu.
We have a lot of kootu varieties in South India. Araichuvitta kootu is made using freshly ground masala. Puli kootu is made with tamarind. Poricha kootu also uses freshly ground masala, but different spices. And regular kootu made with premade spice powder.
What is Kootu Podi ?
Kootu podi is a spice mix that comes handy to spice or flavor kootu. A mix of lentils along with spices like pepper and cumin.
This kootu spice is my Amma's recipe. I've used it for 21 years, and my kootu always receives compliments. The recipe is simple and easy to remember.
This powder stores well at room temperature for over a month. The following measurements are enough for a month's worth of kootu. I also use it in rasam, so it lasts me only 15 days.
Add 2 teaspoon of this spice mix when making Kootu. I've used the same mix in Malabar Vellari Kootu and pressure-cooked cabbage Kootu.
Why is this the Best Kootu Podi?
- Simple kootu spice powder is an heirloom recipe passed down from my mother, who learned it from hers.
- This kootu spice mix uses simple, everyday pantry ingredients.
- Only 2 steps involved in making of this spice blend. Measure, grind to a powder; no roasting required.
- Store this kootu podi in an airtight container on your kitchen counter. It has a stable shelf life.
- This ready-made kootu podi simplifies making kootu or rasam. Simply pressure cook any vegetable with the podi for 20 minutes.
Handy Spice Blends for your Kitchen
If you love experimenting with spice blends then you should have some of these simple homemade spice powders.
Curry podi, a spice blend to flavor dry curries. This aromatic spice powder is must have and can be found in many south-indian kitchens.
Idli milagai podi or famously called gun powder, a condiment which we enjoy with our idly and dosas.
If you are like me, and love exotic spice blends, then check the kafir lime leaves spice blend. I use it as a condiment and mix it with rice and gingely oil.
Thengai podi is a coconut spice mix powder. It is another rice mix powder. You can find it in most of the south-Indian kitchens.
Vazhaikkai podi, or raw banana podi, is another heirloom rice mix powder recipe from my mom. It is perfect for a quick and hearty meal on lazy days.
Ingredients to Make the Best Kootu Podi
- Dal : A mix of tuvar dal, chana dal and moong dal is used in this homemade kootu spice blend.
- Spices : Black peppercorns and Cumin seeds are used in this spice mix to flavor your daily kootu.
Kootu podi/Spice mix for kootu
Equipment
- spice grinder
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Corinader seeds Dhaniya
- 1 cup Black peppercorns milagu
- 1½ cup Jeeragam cumin seeds
- 1 cup Tuvar dal thuvaram paruppu
- 1 cup Chana dal kadalai parupu
- ½ cup moong dal payatham paruppu
Instructions
- Take all the given ingredients in a mixer/spice grinder and grind it to almost fine powder
- Dont grind it too fine, a little coarse dal, adds a great texture and taste to the Kootu or Rasam
- Once ground, transfer the spice blend to a flat plate and let it cool completely.
- Store it in an air-tight container. This spice blend can be stored at room temperature.
Notes
- The above spice mix comes for 15 days if i m making kootu everyday.
- The calorie calculation is done for 1 teaspoon of this kootu spice mix. When added to dish it will be totally different and based on the ingredients used in that dish.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
I m not a Doctor or a Nutritionist The Nutrition information provided above comes from the plugin and is only an estimate.
Unknown
something totally new to me...because i never knew masala powder is prepared for this in special...am sure this will enhance flavor and get our kootu to perfection every time we make
Akila
Nvr know that there is a podi for kootu... Great dear
vaishali sabnani
I get so so confused with these podi powders..I do know a couple of them but actually do not make...all is ready stuff...but this spice powder looks fantastic. .will scale down the recipe..else it might last over an year for me:)
Lifewithspices
wooww.. tis will make life easier..
Priya Suresh
Mom's recipes always rock, we do make kootu podi but very rarely, mom used to add kopra thengai in her podi..Urs sounds easier than my mom as we dont kopra thengai here.
Srivalli
Nice recipe Priya, I must try it sometime..I love all kootu podis..:)
cookingwithsapana
Awesome clicks Dear ! Nice post !
virunthu unna vaanga
Sorry for not visiting ur space for past few days, But hereafter i won't miss here... very useful one... nice clicks...
Unknown
Nice pics.These podis really save time during weekday mornings!
divya
Wow looks terrific... Drooling here
Harini R
Very flavorful and peppery kootu podi!
Chef Mireille
nice new look for blog and podi looks fab
Manju
Interesting one we don't use podi for kootu. This is new for me.
preeti garg
Interesting and flavorful Spice...
Saraswathi Ganeshan
I usually wont make this in bunch but grind it when ever I prepare kootu!! love the fresh flavors of this spice.
Pavani
That's a very interesting and different spice powder. Addition of the different dals sounds delicious. Will try when I make kootu next time.
Chitz
Never have used spice powder in kootu before.. This one looks like it wud bring out a special flavor & aroma.. Gotta try 🙂
Kalyani
nice layout Priya ! and although I grind fresh masala paste for kootu everytime, wudnt mind a lil jar handy like this !!
மாத்ருசாயா ஃபௌண்டேஷன்
Should we roast or raw ingredients
Priya_Srinivasan
No need to roast just grind the raw ingredients
Shobha Keshwani
Very handy to have these spice mixes at home. I make many others but never made for kootu. Thanks for the recipe. I will make it sometime soon.
Mayuri Patel
A kootu and a rasam powder two in one..great idea and a very handy spice mixture. I recently bought a small packet of ready made rasam powder and it had no flavour whatsoever and landed up adding other spices. This one bookmarked!
Jayashree T.Rao
This is new to me, you have not roasted the ingredients, isn't it?
ARCHANA
Priya this sounds delicious. Do we not roast/heat the ingredients?
If I want to make a small portion just half all the ingredients? Thanks a lot my meals have become quite boring these days so this will add some zing.
Swati
This Podi sounds so flavorful, so versatile. will love to use it for Rasam.. can we use for idlis too??
Priya_Srinivasan
i have not tried using it for idlies swati. my mom sometimes mixes it with rice and ghee
Renu
In this recent development the podi mix is saviour for me as could not get hands of fresh coconut. I am happy to find another podi spice mix with so few ingredients. Added to my list.
Mina Joshi
What a great combination of spices for your podispice. I like the idea of adding the various dalls to it.
Chef Mireille
I would consider this more a lentil powder than a spice powder with the variety of lentils used