#3 : Kuralakaram

'Kuralakaram' is a spice powder mix used to season vegetables. This adds a beautiful nutty flavor to the vegetable . esp eggplant and potato. Every time someone comes through India , my mom in law sends a small bag of it across . Last summer when she was here visiting us , I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to learn to make it .

Ingredients:

• 1/2 heaped cup Channa Dhal
• 1/2 heaped cup Urad Dhal
• 2 tsp Dhaniya
• 15 Big Dry Red Chilli
• 1/4 tsp - Mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp - Cumin Seeds
• 1/4 tsp - Fenugreek powder
• 1/8 tsp - Asafoetida
• 2 tsp - Oil
• Salt to taste     

Method:

1. Heat oil in a skillet . Add in the channa dhal , urad Dhal , dhaniya , red chillies and roast for 5-7 mins on medium flame until the dhals turn deeper in color . Make sure to keep stirring or else the mixture might burn 
2. Add the mustard seeds , cumin seeds and fenugreek powder and continue roasting until the mustard seeds splutter . Turn off the stove 
3. Add asafoetida to it and and let it cool completely 
4. Dry grind the dhal mixture and 1.5 tsp of salt to a powder 
5. Can store in an air tight container for 4-6 weeks