Quick Sambar Rice

Sambar Rice is a quick Rice dish with full of veggies. It is one of the Tamil Nadu people's favourite food that can be cooked quickly and easily.

Sambar Rice is filled with proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates. Veggies are full of fiber and vitamins. It is like a full meal and it surely fills our stomach.
Sambar rice can be cooked for one pot meal, lunch or even dinner. You can take this full meal for travelling or even to office. ( For lunch)
Let us see the recipe Now :

Ingredients :

To Cook :
Rice : 1 Cup
Toor Dal : 1/2 Cup or little less
Carrots : 2 ( Medium size)
Knolkol /Kohirabi/Navilu kosu : 2
Cluster beans /Gori kai/Chavali Kodu : 100 to 150 Gr.
To Dry Roast :
Methi seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Red chilly : 5 to 6
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Channa dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander seeds : 2 Tablespoons
Jeera /cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh / Asafoetida : A little
To season :
Capsicum : 1
Cashew Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons. ( 6 to 8 nuts)
Oil : 2 Teaspoons
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6 leaves.
To Add : 
Tamarind Pulp : 2 to 3 Tablespoons pulp ( Small marble size tamarind)
Turmeric powder : A little
Salt : As required
Dry ground powder
Seasoning 
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method : 

1. Wash and cut scrape out carrots and cut into small pieces.
2. Wash and peel off the outer layer of knolkol and cut into desired size.
3. Wash and remove the edges of cluster beans and cut into desired size.

4. Put them in a pressure cooker. Add washed toor dal. Add 1/2 Cup of water.
5. Pressure cook all the above ingredients for 2 to 3 minutes. Let it cool.
6. Wash and cook rice and keep it aside.

7. Soak tamarind in hot water for 5 minutes and squeeze out the pulp. Keep it aside.
8. Dry roast all the spices one by one on low flame and dry grind once it is cooled.

9. Keep a big pan on the fire and put cooked rice, vegetables with dal.
10. Add tamarind pulp and haldi/turmeric. Add salt and mix all the ingredients nicely.
11. Add water if required and let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
12. Add dry ground fresh spice powder and mix it well. Let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Wash capsicum and remove its seeds from inside. Cut it into thin pieces. keep it aside.

13. Keep a pan on the fire and add oil and ghee. Add cashew nuts and fry.
14. Add mustard seeds, ingh and let mustard seeds splutter.
15. Add ingh and curry leaves . Add cut capsicum and fry till the pieces turn golden brown.

16. Shift the ready Sambar Rice to a serving dish. Add fried capsicum and seasoning mixture to Sambar rice.

Mix it well and serve with papad.

Note :

Cooking vegetables separately helps to keep the veggies crunchy. Adding more chilly to Sambar rice is optional. Adding fresh spice is optional. You can use any brand of Sambar powder instead of home prepared sambar powder.
Time : 40 Minutes 
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Serves : 3 to 4 .

Green Channa - Mango Tokku Rice

Green Channa /Kadale kalu ( Kannada language/Karnataka/India) is available from December till February. I tried this channa with mango tokku which was prepared last year. It tasted yum.
You can try this dish with dried green channa too.

Lets see some benefits of eating Green Channa in our diet.
Green Channa is filled with fiber. They are good for controlling the blood sugar levels. It helps to keep you full for a long time. They are good for people who diet to loose weight.They are rich in protein and low in sodium. They  are rich in antioxidants. They contain vitamin B 9, vitamin A and C. They are rich in iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium. These minerals helps to keep our blood and bones strong.
I have used Mango Tokku, Green Channa, cooker rice and simple spices which are available in the kitchen store.
Green Channa - Mango tokku Rice is good for one pot meal, lunch box, travelling, brunch or dinner.
 Let us see the recipe :
No Onion or No Garlic in this  " Green Channa - Mango Tokku Rice ".

Things needed :

Cooked Rice : 2 Cups
Green Channa : Fresh /dried : 1 Cup
Mango Tokku : 2 Tablespoons
Cooking Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Groundnuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid Dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : One Handful
Green chilly : 2
Salt : As required
Coconut :Fresh : 1 Cup ( 3 to 4 Tablespoons).
Coriander Leaves :  2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method : 

1. Wash and cook rice and let it be cool.
2. Remove the pods from channa plant and wash it once.
3. Cook till they turn soft.

4. Grate coconut and keep it aside.

5. Wash curry leaves, coriander leaves and green chilly. Cut coriander leaves and green chilly.
6. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil, mustard seeds, urid dal and let mustard seeds splutter.
7. Add curry leaves and cut green chilly. Add ground nuts and fry till they turn crispy.
8. Add cooked green channa and mix it well. Add Mango tokku and mix all the ingredients nicely.

9. Add cooked rice and mix it well. Let the flame be very low while doing the whole process.

10.Add required salt, little turmeric and a tablespoon of ghee. Mix it well.
11. Add coconut, cut  coriander leaves and mix once again. Shift the ready " Green Channa - Mango Tokku Rice to a serving dish.

12. Serve with a cup of curd and papad.

Note :

Use of any raw rice is optional. Water quantity should be
Basumathi Rice : 1 Cup : Water 2 Cups
Sona Masuri or any other kind of rice : 1 Cup Rice :Water : 3 Cups or little less.
Soak Green Channa if you are using dried ones.( Over night)
Drain water after cooking Green channa.
Use of more or less ghee is optional.
Use of fresh mangoes instead of Mango tokku is optional.
Use of chilly, more/less is optional.
Type : South Indian 
Time : 10 Minutes. (If cooked rice is done already) or Cooking rice : 20 minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4.
 Mango Tokku /Chutney

Carrot Chitranna

Carrot Chitranna is a rice dish and it is very easy to prepare.  Chitranna is Lemon rice and lemon is added at the end it gives a little tangy taste. 

Carrot Lemon is a simple rice dish and you can have them for breakfast who likes to have rice dishes in the morning. It can be eaten for brunch who gets up late and miss breakfast and can combine breakfast and lunch and it is said as brunch. It is good for lunch too. Lazy days or holidays when you want to relax and not much of time to spend in kitchen can plan for this rice. It is also ideal for dinner.
Let us see some benefits of eating Lemon in our diet.
Lemon is used for treating indigestion, constipation, dental problems, throat infections, fever, obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure. It is also good for hair and skin care. Lemon helps to strengthen our immune system, cleanses our stomach. They are considered as a blood purifier. Lemon is used for treating kidney stones, reducing strokes and lowering body temperature. Lemon juice is one of the best refreshing drink. They are filled with vitamins like vitamin C, Vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate and minerals like copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. they are filled with antioxidant properties and it helps in peeventing diabetes, constipation and high blood pressure.
As  I said it is simple, quick and takes very less time to prepare once you cook your rice.
I have used plain rice (Sona Masuri ), lemon, carrots, coconut and green chilly.
Let us see the recipe now :

Ingredients :

Cooked rice : 1 Cup
To Add :
Carrots : 2
Lemon : 1
Coconut : 1 Cup
Coriander leaves : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A pinch
For Seasoning :
Cooking oil : 1 Tablespoon
Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Green chilly : 2

Method :

1. Wash and cut green chilly, coriander leaves and curry leaves.
2. Wash and peel off the outer layer of carrots and grate it. Keep it aside.
3. Wash and cut lemon and squeeze out the juice. Keep it aside.
4. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
5. Keep a pan on the fire and put oil. Put mustard seeds and urid dal.
6. Let mustard seeds splutter. Add cut green chilly and curry leaves.
7. Fry nicely for 10 seconds. Add grated carrots and fry nicely for 1 to 2 minutes.
8. Add cooked rice and mix it well. Add salt, turmeric powder and mix it well.
9. Let it cook on low flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Add grated coconut and put off the fire.
11 Add lemon extract (juice) and mix it again. Add 2 tablespoons of ghee and mix it well.
11. Shift the ready " Carrot Chitranna " to a serving dish.
12. Add cut coriander leaves and serve with a cup of curd.

Note : 

Cook rice and cool it before adding to seasoning. Use of any brand of rice is optional. I have used sona masuri and required water ration is 1: 3 ( 1 cup rice and 3 cups of water). Use of green or red chilly is optional. Use of more /less chilly is optional. Use of ghee adds to the taste. Use of onions or garlic is optional.

Time : 20 Minutes if rice is already cooked. Or 20 more minutes to cook rice.
Serves : 2 to 3.
Type : South Indian ..

Sesame Seeds Spicy Rice

Sesame Seeds Spicy Rice is a rice dish and the fresh spice powder really adds to the taste. Always it is better to prepare spice powder since it is so healthy habit.

I have used channa dal, little urid dal, sesame seeds and chilly powder with a few pods of cloves and coconut.

Sesame seeds spicy rice can be eaten for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. You can have it for one pot meal or on festival or feast days. Good for Picnics, outings, lunch box or one pot meal.

Let us see some benefits of having "Sesame seeds" in our diet.
Sesame seeds are filled with minerals and vitamins. They are an excellent source of copper. They are rich in manganese,  calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6  and dietary fiber. They helps to prevent diabetes, lower blood pressure, build strong bones and protect against radiation. They help to increase heart health. helps to cure sleep disorders, improves digestion and improve inflammation. They also helps in boosting respiratory health, improve blood circulation, detoxify the body and eliminate chronic stress.
No Onion or No Garlic in this " Sesame Seeds Spice Rice".
Let us see the recipe now.

Things Needed :

Cooked rice : 1 Cup

Spices to Roast/Fry
Channa dal : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Sesame Seeds : 1 Table Spoon
Rasam Powder : 2 Teaspoons
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Coconut : 1 /2 Cup
Oil : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/asafoetida : A pinch

To prepare tamarind paste:
Tamarind :  1 Small gooseberry size
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : As required
Turmeric powder : A little

To Season :
Cooking oil : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ground Nuts : 2 Tablespoons
Curry Leaves : 8 to 10

Method :

1. Wash and curry leaves and cut into small and keep it aside.
2. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Soak tamarind in hot water for 5 minutes and squeeze out the pulp.
3. Keep a pan on the fire and put 1 teaspoon of oil. Let it heat.
4. Add channa dal and fry for a minute on low flame. Add urid dal and let the dals get brown colour.
5. Add sesame seeds and fry till they start splutter.

6. Add coconut and fry. Put off the fire and add rasam powder. Let it cool.  

7. Dry grind this mixture once it is cooled. Keep this fresh ground spice aside.

8. Keep a pan on the fire and add tamarind pulp. Add jaggery to it and boil.

9. Add salt and turmeric powder. Let it boil and get thick slowly. (On medium flame).
10. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of powdered spice and mix it well. Let it turn as thick paste.

11. Add cooked rice and put off the fire.

12. Keep a small pan and heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and heat.
13. Add mustard seeds, urid dal. Let it get splutter, Add groundnuts and fry till they turn slightly golden brown.
14. Add this fried mixture to Rice and mix all the ingredients nicely. (Slowly).

15. You can a teaspoon of spice mixture on the top and mix it well. Top up with a tablespoon of fresh coconut. Shift the ready Sesame Seeds Spicy Rice to a serving dish.

12. Serve with a cup of curd.

Note :

Adding onions or garlic is optional. Adding little garam masala or rasam powder is optional. ( I did add rasam powder.). Adding fresh ground spice adds to the taste. Adding more chilly is optional.
Time : 20 Minutes if using cooked rice (or another 20 minutes to cook rice)
Serves : 2 to 3.

Ghee Jeera Rice with Cauliflower Fritters

Ghee Jeera Rice is a simple dish which can be done easily. You can have this jeera/cumin rice with some vegetables and here I have prepared "Ghee Jeera rice with Cauliflower Fry". It is a healthy dish which is very simple and Cauliflower fry adds to the taste.

I have used Sona Masuri rice, jeera, tomatoes, capsicum, cauliflower and very simple spices which is in your kitchen. 

Let us see some benefits of eating " Cloves " in our diet.

Cloves are rich source of antioxidants, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti -flatulent properties. Cloves have essential oils in them. It is good for dental care. Cloves are good for digestion and gastric problems. They are very helpful for indigestion and constipation problems. They contain minerals like potassium, manganese, iron, magnesium. They are rich in Vitamin A, beta carotene properties, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C. 

" Ghee Jeera Rice with Cauliflower Fry " has No Garlic or No Onion Recipe. 

There are three steps to prepare this " Ghee Jeera Rice with Cauliflower Fry".

1. Ghee Jeera Rice preparation.

2. VegetableFrying 

3. Cauliflower s Fry.

Let us see the recipe step by step. Though the preparation looks long, You feel very comfortable to have this food. It is yummy and healthy dish.

 Let us see the recipe now :

1. Ghee Jeera Rice

Things Needed :

Cooked Rice : 2 Cups. 

Jeera /Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Cloves : 2 to 3

Cinnamon : A small piece.  

Ghee : 2 Tablespoons

Salt : As required

Coriander leaves : Handful 

Method : 

1. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add ghee and let it melt. Add cloves and cinnamon piece.

2. Add Jeera /Cumin Seeds and fry for 30 seconds.

3. Add cooked rice and salt. Mix it well and let it cook on low flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in between.

4. Shift the ready " Ghee Jeera Rice to a serving dish. Rice is ready to serve.

5. Wash and cut coriander leaves and add it on the top of  Ghee Jeera Rice. 

2. Vegetables Fry.

Things Needed :

Carrots : 2 to 3 

Capsicum : 2 

Tomatoes : 2 

Garam Masala powder : 1 Teaspoon

Turmeric powder : A pinch

Oil : 1 Teaspoon

Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon

Ginger : A small piece

Salt : As required 

Method 

1. Wash and remove the outer layer of carrots and grate it. Keep it aside.

2. Wash capsicum and remove the seeds and cut into small. ( Desired shape and size).

3. Wash tomatoes and cut into small. Remove the seeds before cutting into small.

4. Wash ginger and remove the outer layer. Wash again and grate it.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil. jeera and let jeera turn slightly golden. 

6. Add cut capsicum and fry nicely. Add grated carrots and fry for a while.

7. Add cut tomatoes and fry till they turn soft. Add garam masala powder and stir.

8. Add salt and turmeric powder. Stir in between and let all the moisture disappear.

9. Put off the fire and keep Vegetable fry aside.

3. Cauliflower Fritters. (Pakodas)

Things Needed :

Cauliflower florets : 1 Bowl.

Rice flour : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Corn flour : 1 Tablespoon

Wheat flour : 1 Tablespoon

Salt : As required 

Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Chilly Powder : 1 Teaspoon

Oil to Fry : 1 Cup

Method :

1. Wash cauliflower and dip in warm water for 20 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to it.

2. Wash cauliflower nicely using normal water.

3. Cut into small florets. (Each flower separate, if it is too big cut into 2). 

4. Dry roast wheat flour for 2 minutes. Put roasted wheat flour in a tray/plate. Let it cool completely.

5. Take a big bowl and put rice flour, corn flour and roasted wheat flour. Add salt and jeera.

6. Add chilly powder and mix it well. Add required water and prepare dough. (Idli dough consistency).

7. Keep a pan and heat. Put oil and let it get hot. Now dip cut cauliflower in mixed flour dough and leave it in the hot oil. (Medium flame and slow flame).

8. Fry cauliflower in medium and slow flame. Fry on both sides. Remove it from the oil and put it on the kitchen tissue.

9. Repeat the same and fry all the fritters same way.

10. Add fried cauliflower pakodas/fritters to the vegetable curry done.

11. Keep vegetable curry on the fire and stir it nicely. Let cauliflower mix with curry.

12. Now shift the curry to a serving dish. 

13. Put this fried curry cauliflower mixture on the top of Ghee Jeera Rice and serve.

14. You can mix all the three dishes nicely and serve  

                                          Or 

15. You can just top up cauliflower fritters mixture above the rice and serve.

Note :

Use cooked and cooled rice to get the perfect dish.

Adding any sambar powder, jeera -coriander powder, pav baaji masala powder or chenna masala powder is optional. I have used garam masala powder.  

You can also use any sauce while frying vegetables. ( I have not added any sauce).

You can use maida instead of wheat flour. Dry roasting wheat flour helps to reduce the gluten and it the fritter will not turn very soft.

Time :  30 to 40 Minutes. (if cooked rice is ready or you need another 30 minutes to cook rice).

Serves : 3 to 4.