Tamarind rice is one of the popular South Indian rice recipe prepared using fresh tamarind pulp. Peanuts are added to the recipe for extra nuttiness. Tamarind Rice is also known as “Pulihora” in South Indian languages. This recipe is often prepared during Indian festivals to offer god as no onion and garlic is used in this recipe.
I am not claiming that this is the traditional recipe. However, I can say that this recipe is pretty close to the authentic one.
Quick Ingredient checklist
Good quality Rice – I am using regular Indrayani Rice variety here. Sona masoori rice will give the nice result too. I am not recommending to use basmati rice to make this recipe.
Tamarind – very very important. I always prefer to extract fresh tamarind pulp for this pulihora. However, You can use the readymade tamarind pulp as well.
Peanuts – Adds great texture and taste the recipe.
Other spices – As always I am using groundnut oil as groundnut oil is one of my favorite. Podi masala, Red chili powder and turmeric powder are totally optional. If You don’t have podi masala, then check our recipe notes for the detail.
Reasons to love this recipe,
- easy to prepare
- very tempting
- minimal ingredients required
- no onion no garlic recipe
- Ingredients are easily available
- can be prepared under 30 mins
- easy to digest recipe
How to make tamarind rice?
Heat water and add tamarind. boil for 10 to 15 mins and keep it aside.
cook rice in a separate pan. add 1 cup rice and 2 cups water.bring them to boil until rice are cooked. keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan, add peanuts and fry them for 2 to 3 minutes. Add curry leaves and dry red chilies.
Now, Strain the tamarind pulp directly to the pan.
Add salt to taste, red chili powder, turmeric powder and podi powder. mix well.
Let the gravy cook till the oil oozes out for 10 to 12mins.
Add cooked rice to the tamarind sauce and mix well.
Enjoy.
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Tamarind rice recipe
Equipment
- regular pan to cook rice
Ingredients
To cook rice
- 1 cup sona masoori/indrayani rice
- 2½ cups water, to cook rice
to prepare tamarind mixture for the rice
- ¼ to ½ cup tamarind
- 1 cup water
other
- 2 tbsp oil
- ¼ cup peanuts
- 2 dry red chilies
- salt to taste
- a pinch of red chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp podi powder(without garlic)
Instructions
- Heat water and add tamarind. boil for 10 to 15 mins and keep it aside.
- cook rice in a separate pan. add 1 cup rice and 2 cups water.bring them to boil until rice are cooked. keep aside.
- Heat oil in a pan, add peanuts and fry them for 2 to 3 minutes. Add curry leaves and dry red chilies.
- Now, Strain the tamarind pulp directly to the pan.
- Add salt to taste, red chili powder, turmeric powder and podi powder. mix well.
- Let the gravy cook till the oil oozes out for 10 to 12mins.
- Add cooked rice to the tamarind sauce and mix well.
- Enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Red chili powder and turmeric powder are totally optional.
- If you don’t have podi masala powder then,
-
heat a pan and then reduce the flame to a low.
- add 2 dry red chilies . 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp chanadal, 1 tsp sesame seeds, 1/2 tsp urad dal and roast for 2 mins. Crush to a fine powder and use this fresh fine powder in the recipe.
-
have a great day!
South Indian cuisine has so many varieties of rice recipes that one can never get bored! Never tried tamarind rice before and i totally should.
Thank you kankana.
Totally love this idea. We always have tamarind paste in our home as we make many Thai recipes. The only ingredient we do not have is podi powder. We will have to look that one up. This is a great side dish for so many dishes.
Thank you so much bobbi