Yellu Podi / Sesame Spice Blend

Yellu Podi is a spice mix made with sesame seeds and other Indian seasonings. It is smokey, nutty, and flavorful when it is mixed with steamed rice. Simple ingredients go together to make this spice blend that is quite popular in South India.

Please refer to my Glossary page to learn a bit more about the Indian ingredients listed in this recipe

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup black sesame seeds
2. 1/4 cup ulutham paruppu / split, husked, black gram / split husked urad dal
3. 4-5 dry red chillies
4. 1/2 teaspoon hing / asafoetida
5. salt, as needed

Preparation:

1. Soak the black sesame seeds in some water for 1 hour. Then, drain and spread them on a cloth until they are almost dry. Then, rub the sesame seeds on a coarse surface to take out as much of the skin/husk of the seeds as possible. Sieve or sift to separate the sesame seeds from the husk. It is not totally necessary to remove the husk, so don't worry if it becomes troublesome to do so.
2. Dry roast the sesame seeds until they begin to crackle (do not roast too much). Keep aside.
3. Dry roast the black gram until brownish red. Keep aside
4. Dry roast the red chillies until toasty. Keep aside
5. Toast the hing slightly as well. 
6. First grind the red chillies, hing, and salt to a powder. Then add the roasted black gram and grind until 3/4 of the gram is powdered (that is, do not finely powder). Finally add the sesame seeds and just pulse for a couple of times. Do not try to finely grind because the sesame seeds will release oil. 

That's it. Yellu podi is ready. Store in an air tight jar. Store in the fridge to extend shelf life.