Idi Chammanthi/ Chammanthippodi/ Sammanthipodi/ Coconut dry Chutney Powder

Recipe No: 206
Every household in Kerala will have a recipe for this. I don’t know how many Grandmothers and Mothers made this and still making this to send it to their loved ones abroad. Apart from the fact that this will stay good for a long time at room temperature and a very long time in the refrigerator, this is an excellent combination to eat with Rice and Curd.

Once, a friend of ours gave a packet of Chammanthippodi, which they bought from a homegrown business somewhere near Kottayam, Kerala. Well, that was one the best Chammanthippodi that I ever ate, but felt really different. But while eating that, I came across a fried Urad Dal which gave me the idea for this. So I changed my Mother's recipe  a bit so that it imitates the one that I liked a lot by incorporating Urad Dal... and have to say the Urad Dal gives a very different but a very pleasant texture.

Ingredients

• Grated Unsweetened Coconut…2 ½ Cups (Fresh/ Frozen preferred, don't use dessicated)
• Split Urad Dal……………………….1/4 Cup (Washed and drained)
• Dry Red Chilly……………………...20 (break into small pieces, adjust according to your taste)
• Tamarind………………………..……1 inch diameter piece
• Curry Leaves…………………..…….2 Sprigs
• Salt as needed

Method of Preparation

1. In a dry pan on medium high heat, add all the ingredients except Salt and fry till evenly browned stirring constantly.
2. Once browned, off the heat and let it cool.
3. Grind it into a course powder together with Salt and store in an airtight container.
4. Serve with Rice (and with everything else or simply by itself as per my husband!!!).

Notes:

• Frying the Tamarind along with the other ingredients will take away some of its moisture that will help while dry grinding.
• It will take at least 1/2 an hour to get the mixture fried. Don't try to rush the process by increasing the heat as it will burn the mixture without frying evenly.
• Don’t leave the mixture unattended in the same pan after switching it off, as the residual heat may burn the bottom. So do stir it often till it cools down or transfer it to another plate.
• It is not possible to grind this using a blender. You have to use a dry grinder or a Coffee Grinder.

 






Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love…