Udal Theatrum Annapodi| Spice mix to Improve Health

I have the habit of collecting recipes from the school days and it still continues. This collection is safe inside a large cardboard box, which is opened when ever I am looking for a particular recipe or feel the need to try something new.

So,when I wanted to prepare some spice mix for this edition of blogging marathon, I was sure that my recipe treasure would help me out and I did find this interesting spice mix.

I saw a recipe that I had written in 2005! I had copied a spice mix recipe from a Tamil magazine called Mangayar Malar . This is my mom’s favorite magazine and I used to read the recipes and crafts section in this magazine.

The recipe I had written down was under the section – ‘Virundhum Marundhum’ [ Food and/ as medicine] .

The recipe is probably for improving the health and I have noted the benefits of the ingredients used. Here it is the recipe for you…

Fried gram dal | Pottukadalai – 1 cup
Ginger powder – 1 teaspoon
Peppercorns – 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds -1 teaspoon
Curry leaves- a handful
Asafoetida powder – a pinch
Salt to taste

1. Dry roast all the fried gram dal[till light brown], peppercorns[till it pops], cumin seeds[ till it crackles] and curry leaves[till they turn crisp] individually.
2. Cool and powder along with asafetida, ginger powder and salt.
3. Store in an air tight container.

Note :

The curry leaves that I used was very less and tender so the color of this spice mix did not change. If the mature leaves are uses, the podi gets a light green tinge

To serve :

Drizzle ghee over piping hot steamed rice and add a few teaspoons of this powder. Mix well . This is to be taken as the first dish in the meal [lunch].

Now, coming to the health benefits of the ingredients used to prepare this spice mix…

Fried gram dal | Pottukadalai – Rich in protein
Ginger powder –Improves appetite
Peppercorns – Anti toxin
Cumin seeds - Digestive
Curry leaves- Rich in Iron
Asafoetida powder - Relieves flatulence

Since this spice mix has a lot of health benefits, it can be taken every day to improve health.

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#16

Bon Appetit...