TAMARIND RICE

Tamarind Rice is a very tasty and delicious south Indian dish made with Tamarind pulp and spice powder mixed with cooked rice.This tangy and spiced rice has a longer shelf life.Tamarind rice is very good to pack for long journey in train or buses.It is also good for  tiffin box lunch.There are so many varities of Tamarind Rice.In some south Indian Temples Tamarind Rice is served as temple prasadham.We can also prepare Tamarind Rice with instant Tamarind Rice powder available in the Market.Home made Tamarind Masala Powder has better taste.Adding Onion is optional.You can skip Onion while preparing for picnic or for longer journey.

The following ingredients are needed to prepare Tamarind Rice.

Ingredients:-

Raw Rice.            -1 cup
Cooking oil.         - 2 tsp
Urad dal.              -1 tsp
Mustard seeds.     -1tsp
Dry Red Chillies. - 1( for seasoning)
Onion.                   -1 medium size( optional)
Curry leaves.         -1 spring
Tamarind.              - a gooseberry size.
Salt.                       - to taste

For Tamarind Masala powder:-

Urad dal.                           - 1tbsp
Chana dal.                         -1tbsp
Dry Red chillies.               -6
Coriander seeds.                -2 tbsp
Fenugreek/Methi seeds.    - 10 seeds only
White Sesame seeds.         - 1/2 tsp
Whole Black Pepper corn. -1/2 tsp
Hing powder/ Asafoetida.  -1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder.                -1/ 4 tsp

Instructions:-

For Tamarind Masala powder:-

Dry roast Urad dal, Chana dal and Red chillies together in a pan till dals start to change its colour and the red chillies become little crisp.

In the same pan add black Pepper corn, Coriander seeds, Methi seeds and White Sesame seeds and roast  on low flame till aroma comes out.Then add Hing powder and mix well and switch off the flame.

Add all the roasted ingredients on a  large plate to cool.When little cooled add Turmeric powder and mix well.Grind the rotated items to a fine powder.Keep the Tamarind masala  powder in air tight glass bottle and store in Refrigerator.So you can use it when ever you want to prepare.

In a small mixing bowl add 1/4 cup hot water and soak a gooseberry size Tamarind  and extract Tamarind Juice.Add 2 tsp Tamarind Masala Powder and mix well with the Tamarind juice. Keep aside the Tamarind masala mixture.

Pressure cook Raw rice with 2 cup of Water for one whistle and keep aside.

Broke the dry Red chillies into halves and keep aside.

Method:-

Heat 3tsp cooking oil in a pan and add Urad dal and saute well.

When dal starts to change its colour splutter Mustard seeds and saute well.

Add broken Red chilly bits and fry well in oil.

Add Curry leaves. Saute well and fry for a second.

Add finely chopped Onion and saute well till the Onion pieces become translucent. (optional)

Add the Tamarind Masala Mixture and stir well.

Add required Salt and cooked Rice and mix well.

Add one more spoon of Tamarind Masala Powder and mix everything well.

Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low flame for a minute.Stir well and then switch off the flame.

A tasty and yummy Tamarind Rice is ready to serve.