In a thick bottomed pan, add urad dal, chana dal, cumin/jeera, black pepper and dried red chillies.
On low flame, dry roast everything until golden brown and remove it onto a plate.
In the same pan, add washed curry leaves.
On low flame dry roast the curry leaves until fragrant and devoid of any moisture. Remove it onto a plate.
Let this mixture cool down completely.
In a mixer jar, add all the dry roasted ingredients along with asafoetida and salt as needed.
Blend it smooth. Set this aside.
For Karuveppilai Sadam/Curry Leaves Rice:
In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add mustard seeds, urad dal and peanuts. Fry until peanuts are golden brown. Add asafoetida and remove from heat.
Add this tempering to the cooked and cooled down rice.
Gently mix the rice and add salt if already not added to it while cooking.
Add 3-4 tablespoon of prepared curry leaf spice mix.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon of gingelly/sesame oil.
Mix it well until there are no white grains of rice.
Serve hot with roasted potatoes and fryums.
Note -
The spice powder might be little extra for the rice. Store it in an air tight and it stays fresh for over a month.
Adjust the quantity of black pepper corns and dried red chillies as per spice preference.
Instead of peanuts, cashews can be added.
If sesame oil is not available, use regular cooking oil or ghee.