Tender Tamarind Rice

Tender tamarind rice is a awesome flavorful rice having an earthy savor and zest. Tender Tamarind Rice is an exceptional rice preparation because of its unique taste of tartness and sourness of the tender tamarind mixed with few seasoning added to the cooked rice. This rice variety is extremely tasty yummy and distinctive to taste. The sourness of the tender tamarind which gets well infused into the rice on tempering gives a fantastic tangy, spicy taste to the palate.

Tamarind rice is popularly known as Pulihora, Puliyodhare or Chitrannam that is generally prepared in most South Indian states. They are umpteen ways of preparing this dish. The name itself signifies that Puli means tamarind or sour. Pulihora is a significant dish specially prepared during festivals and auspicious occasions or served in most south Indian temples as ‘prasad’ (offering to god).

Recipe:  Tender Tamarind Rice

Ingredients:

1. Tender Tamarind pieces          -       6-8 nos


2. Sesame seed oil                          -       1 tbsp


3. Mustard seeds                            -       ½ tsp


4. Red chilies -       3-4 nos


5. Peanuts                                        -       25 gms


6. Chana dal                                    -       1 tsp


7. Urad dal                                       -       1 tsp


8. Green Chillies, slit                     -       5-6 nos


9. Hing                                              -       pinch


10. Turmeric powder                        -       ¼ tsp


11. Curry leaves                                 -       2-3 sprigs


12. Salt                                                 -       to taste


13. Freshly grated coconut             -       2-3 tbsp


14. Rice, cooked                                -       1 bowl

Directions:

1. Take tender tamarind, put in a blender and grind to coarse paste.


2. Heat some sesame seed oil in a pan and when it gets hot, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add red chilies, peanuts and fry well until the peanuts are cooked but not burnt.


3. Add chana dal, urad dal, slit green chilies, hing, turmeric powder and curry leaves. Stir the ingredients well.


4. Add the ground tender tamarind paste, salt and sauté well.


5. Add freshly grated coconut (optional) and mix well.


6. Add the cooked rice and mix well.


7. Serve hot.

Tender tamarind rice is fast to cook and simple yet truly appetizing. The pieces of raw tamarind pods are crushed to paste and mixed with a sizzling tempering of mustard seeds, red chilies, curry leaves, green chilies, peanuts, chana dal, urad dal, hing and freshly grated coconut sautéed in sesame oil and added to the cooked rice. The sweet taste of freshly grated coconut balances well the flavors of tart and sourness hence keeping the dish well balanced with the mixed flavors of sour, spicy, salty and sweet together.

Peanuts and other dals add crunchy and nutty taste to the bite. This rice is best eaten accompanied with vadiyalus/ vadiyams or wafers. Tender tamarind rice is the ideal dish and a good stimulant for a dead tongue as its high sour taste would give a dashing kick to the palate. This dish is also wholesome dish and can be eaten on its own. The combination of varied ingredients not only makes this rice dish a sumptuous deal for the stomach but also a great feast for the eyes. An amazing dish with an exceptional taste that you all must try! The tamarind rice makes a great picnic meal and also preferred during to be taken during travel.

Tamarind offers several nutritional benefits and is a powerhouse of various compounds essential for good health.  It is high in tartaric acid hence give a sour taste and is packed with antioxidant that protects the body from deadly free radicals. If you do wish to look out for many more appetizing and exotic recipes, feel free to click at  www.vahrehvah.com

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