Home-made spice powders are very popular in most of the South Indian families and even in the modern era many woman (like myself) prefers to make them in their kitchen.

ಹುಳಿ ಪುಡಿ (curry powder) - dry roast 4 tsps. chana dal, 2 tsps. urud dal, 1/4 kg dry red chillies, 1 cup coriander seeds, 1-2" cinnamon stick, 1/2 cup dry coconut - when cool blend into powder form.

for making Sambar powder - to the above curry powder ingredients add 1-2 tsps. of methi seeds, dry roast and blend.

I learnt to make these different spice powders from my mother (a great cook) as I am not a fan of ready-made spice powders that are available at Indian supermarkets.

Making your own is simple and easy and when you have unexpected guests; and if these spice powders are readily available in your pantry; you can prepare healthy and delicious meal in minutes.

These spice powders are very popular for making spicy rice & curry dishes.

To me these powders are the “miraculous powders” and with few tea spoons of these powders, I can turn any dull meal into a feast in minutes.

There are different sorts of spice powders such as bisibelebath powder, vangibath powder, rasam powder, sambar powder, chutney powder, methi powder, garam masala powder and the list goes on…

These powders are prepared using a variety of aromatic spice ingredients which are pan roasted and blended into powder form.

These spice powders are stored in an airtight container which stays fresh for up to 12-15 weeks.

ಚಟ್ನಿ ಪುಡಿ - (Chutneypudi) - dry roast 1/2 cup urud dal & chana dal, dry red chillies to taste, salt to taste, 1/2 cup dry coconut, hing to taste, pinch of turmeric powder, 3-4 tsps. of tamarind powder, few strands of curry leaves, coriander leaves; when cool blend into powder form.

Garam Masala Powder - Lightly roasted and blended into smooth powder - 1 or 2 tablespoons of - cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, black peppercorn, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dry red chilli, star anise, bay leaf, stone flower, hing, amchoor (dry mango) powder, dry ginger powder & turmeric powder

All-purpose spice powder - dry roasted & blended into smooth powder - 1-2 tbsps. - raw rice, peanuts, cumin & coriander seeds, methi & mustard seeds, peppercorns, dry chilli, turmeric & mace powders, cinnamon, cardamom

Vangibath Powder - dry roasted & blended into powder - 1/s cup each urud and chana dal, few tablespoons coriander seeds, dry red chilli to taste, cinnamon stick, clove, marathi moggu, cardamom, 1/4 cup dry coconut, turmeric powder, hing

ಬಿಸಿಬೇಳೆ ಭಾತ್ ಪುಡಿ - dry roast 1/2 cup coriander seeds, urud dal & chana dal, 1 tsp. cumin seeds, pepper corns & methi seeds, 5-6 cinnamon sticks, pinch of hing, 4 cloves, dry red chillies to taste, 1/2 cup dry coconut; when cool blend into powder form.