Poondu Podi (Garlic spice mix for rice)

Podi Varieties comes handy when you are in no mood to cook or if you want to have a change from the usual sambar/rasam varieties.This podi can be made in minutes if you have all the ingredients. It tastes great when mixed with hot steaming rice + ghee/gingelly oil accompanied by papad/vadam/chips. 

Ingredients:

Roasted gram dhal(pottukadalai)	1 cup
Garlic cloves	4-5
Red chilli	3-4
Salt	as needed

Method:

• Peel the garlic cloves.
• Take all the ingredients in a mixer and grind to a powder.
• Cool and store in an air-tight container.

Note:

• If the pottukadalai is not crisp ,heat a pan,add pottukadalai and fry in low flame for 1 or 2 mins.Don't roast it or allow to change colour. Cool and proceed grinding. 
• If using fresh Pottukadalai, no need for the above step.
• Adjust the spice level to your taste.
• I prefer to make this in small quantities and not in bulk as it tastes best fresh.