Amma's rasam powder

Whole red chillies 2 cups
Dhania seeds 1 1/2 cups
Channa dal 1/2 cup
Toor dal 1/2 cup
Jeera seeds 3/4 cup
Peppercorn 1/4 cup

Roast and powder

Black Dal

Got this recipe from a friend of mine.  This is how I make it now - it comes out really well.

2 1/2 cups whole urad dal
Handful rajma

Cook rajma separately.  Saute half onion, 1 1/2 tomatoes and 2 inch piece of ginger.  Blend with the cooked rajma into a fine paste.  Pressure cook the urad dal.  Heat some oil in a saucepan, add the paste and saute until raw smell goes.  Add garam masala, chilli powder and salt.  Once the paste is cooked, add the urad dal and let it cook for some time.  Add butter at the end.