TAMARIND RICE

This Tamarind Rice is a unique recipe which I learned from my mother-in-law and she learned from hers. This recipe is totally different from all the traditional tamarind rice recipes you will find from other places. Adding whole garam masalas make this rice taste very unique and take it up a notch. If you are looking for something new than the same old tamarind rice do give this recipe a try and you will be surprised

The perfect combination for this rice is a chicken gravy which we call Ennai Kari in Tamil. I'll be posting that recipe as well. This rice can also be eaten with potato fry or vadagam.

Ingredients:

Rice - 1 cup

Tamarind - lemon size ball

Onion - 1 medium size

Garlic - 4 cloves

Tomato - 1 medium size

Green Chilly - 2

Red Chilly - 3

Curry Leaves - 1 sprig

Coriander Leaves - a bunch

Cinnamon - 1

Cardamom - 1

Cloves - 1

Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp

Urad Dal - 1 tsp

Chana Dal - 1tsp

Peanut - 2 tbsp

Oil - 50 ml

Salt to taste

Preparation:

• Soak the rice and cook it as usual preferably draining method. Allow it to cool.
• Soak the tamarind in hot water. Extract the Pulp and keep it aside.
• Pour oil in a pan preferably peanut oil and heat it.
• Add cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.
• Add mustard seeds, urad dal, and chana dal and peanut.
• Add red chilly and green chilly. 
• After the peanut gets golden in color add garlic, curry leaves and saute well.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and cook it until the tomatoes become soft and mushy.
• Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes soft. 
• Add the tamarind pulp, coriander leaves, and salt. Cook in medium flame until the oil gets separated and no water remains in the gravy.
• Add the gravy to the cooked rice and mix well.

Notes:

1. This paste can be made and store in the fridge for 2-3 months. Just make plain rice and add 2 tbsp of this paste and mix well and serve.
2. Adding peanut oil will give a nice taste and aroma. If you don't have peanut oil then sesame oil or any other oil can be used.
3. Adding peanut is optional. If you don't have peanuts or allergic to peanuts then it can be avoided.
4. Adding little pieces of sliced coconut will give this rice a nice crunch and taste. Just add a quarter cup of coconut pieces while the gravy is boiling.