Andhra Style Idli Podi(Spicy Version)

INGREDIENTS: Yields around 200 to 250grams of podi

1. Coriander Seeds - 1/2 cup
2. Black Gram Dhal - 2.5 Tablespoons 
3. Bengal Gram Dhal - 1 tablespoon
4. Cumin Seeds - 1.5 teaspoon
5. Dry red chillies - 5 or 6 or more according to your spiciness.
6. Garlic pods - 4 to 5
7. Curry Leaves - 1/2 cup 
8. Tamarind - 1/2 lemon sized ball.
9. Asafoetida cube - 1/2 inch
10. Oil - To fry these.
11. Salt - To taste.

METHOD:

1. Add  a small drop of oil and roast all ingredients separately. Grind them together and store them in airtight container ! 
2. You can have this along with hot white rice or as a side dish for idlies/dosa/curd rice.

Kalyana Rasam

INGREDIENTS:  Serves 4 to 5

1. Tomato - 1
2. Toor Dal-Cooked - 2 tablespoon
3. Ghee - For tempering
4. Mustard seeds - 1/4 teaspoon
5. Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
6. Asafoetida - 1 small cube or 1/4 teaspoon
7. Coriander leaves - For seasoning
8. Tamarind - 1 small ball(Roughly half size of a lemon)

 TO ROAST AND GRIND:

1. Toor Dhal - 1 tablespoon
2. Black pepper - 1 teaspoon
3. Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
4. Curry leaves - one sprig
5. Red Chillies - 2 or 3 

METHOD:

1. Chop the 1/4 th tomatoes finely and keep them aside. Reserve the other 3/4th portion to grind with the roasted items.
2. Roast the ingredients under the “TO ROAST AND GRIND” table with 1/4 tsp of ghee.
3. Allow it to cool along with the 3/4 tomato and grind it into a fine paste by adding little water.
4.  Extract tamarind water and add turmeric powder, asafoetida and salt to this.
5. Add the ground paste to the tamarind water.Allow this to boil in a low flame for 8-10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile cook the toordal and add 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups of water to the dal and add this to the tamarind-tomato mixture.
7. When it comes to a froth switch off the flame and garnish with curry leaves and coriander leaves.
8. Temper the mustard seeds in ghee and add coriander leaves,finely cut tomatoes to the rasam and serve hot!You can add few cumin seeds and pepper seeds during tempering and add along with the mustard seeds.

Panakam/Panagam - Jaggery based energy drink

INGREDIENTS:

1. Water - 1 litre
2. Jaggery - 125 grams
3. Cardomom powder - 1/2 teaspoon
4. Dry Ginger (Sukku) powder - 1/2 teaspoon
5. Lemon/Lime juice - 1/2 teaspoon

METHOD:

1. Powder the jaggery /Take a bowl add all the ingredients. and mix well.
2. You can taste and add more jaggery if needed.
3. Finally filter and Serve ! 

NOTE: Jaggery is very rich in iron and is not fattening. All the ingredients are known for its medicinal properties and this provides a great shot of energy.Can be given to all ages. It is time to go back to our ancestors recipes:) to save our health:)