Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons ground coriander
  • 3 tablespoons besan flour (chickpea)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 12 teaspoons fresh coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground fenugreek
  • 1 teaspoon amchur powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon hot red chili powder
  • 12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 12 teaspoon turmeric
  • 8 crumbled dried curry leaves
  • 14 teaspoon asafetida powder
  • 5 tablespoons ground coriander
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons ground fenugreek
  • 1 12 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 12 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 12 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 12 teaspoon ground chili pepper
  • 14 cup white rice
  • 14 cup cumin seed
  • 14 cup coriander seed
  • 1 tablespoon black mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric

Method

  • To make sambar podi -- Combine 3 tablespoons ground coriander; 3 tablespoons besan (chickpea) flour; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon each salt, ground fenugreek seeds, amchur powder, dry mustard, and hot red chile powder; 1/2 teaspoon each ground cinnamon and turmeric; 8 crumbled dried curry leaves; and 1/4 teaspoon asafetida.
  • Makes about 2/3 cup.
  • To make a basic curry powder -- Combine 5 tablespoons ground coriander seeds, 2 tablespoons ground cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon ground turmeric, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, 2 teaspoons ground fenugreek seeds, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, and 1/2 teaspoon ground chile peppers.
  • Makes about 3/4 cup.
  • To make poudre de Colombo -- Toast 1/4 cup white rice in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until light brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove and cool.
  • In the same skillet, toast 1/4 cup cumin seeds; 1/4 cup coriander seeds; 1 tablespoon each black mustard seeds, black peppercorns, and fenugreek seeds; and 1 teaspoon whole cloves until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Cool the spices, combine with the rice, and grind to a fine powder.
  • Stir in 2 teaspoons turmeric.
  • Makes about 1 cup.