Pulikachal / Pulikachal Rice Mix / Puliyodharai Rice / Pulihora Rice

Traditional and authentic  Pulikachal mix / puliyodarai is a thick paste made of tamarind, dal and other spices. This is one of the popular ready mix in SouthIndia. We generally mix pulikachal with rice and we can also use it as a pickle. Tamarind rice with papad / fryums is a best lunch combo. This mix is a travel friendly dish. We can store this mix in a air-tight container and use it for 3-4 days. For festivals like Aadi perukku, Kanu pandigai, this tamarind rice is one of the main dish.Many variations can be made in this dish.

We also know Iyengar Puliyodarai is very popular and they add sesame seeds and have a different flavor. Puliyodarai served in temple has a rich flavour of pepper. In temples, for prasadam, they have to make huge quantities of puliyodarai and so they cook in a big pan on the stove top with fire-woods which give a smoky touch to the dish. Andhra puliyodarai is also famous for its spiciness. They make a paste of sesame seeds, peanuts and mustard seeds and they add green chillies also. Their version of puliyodarai is also very yummy. I am going to explain the way we traditionally make at my home. Try this version and I am sure you wil love it.

Ingredients:

Cooked Rice	1 Cup*
Tamarind	1 big lemon size
Tumeric Powder	1/4 teaspoon
Salt	To Taste
Grated Jaggery	1 teaspoon

 

* 1 Cup = 250ml

For Grinding:

Coriander Seeds	2 teaspoon
Urid Dal	2 teaspoon
Red Chilli	5-6**
Curry Leaves	few
Fenugreek Seeds	1/2 teaspoon

** I have used the long red chillies which are very spice. If you are using small and round chillies, you have to use atleast 12-15

For Seasoning:

Gingelly Oil	1 tablespoon
Mustard Seeds	1 teaspoon
Channa Dal	1 teaspoon
Split Urid Dal	1 teaspoon
Peanuts	1 teaspoon
Curry Leaves	few
Red Chilli	2
Hing	a Pinch

Pulikachal / Pulikachal Rice Mix / Puliyodharai Rice / Pulihora Rice

 

Method:

1. 1. Soak the tamarind in water and extract the juice and keep it aside

1. 1. Heat the pan and dry fry the urdhal,fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds and curry leaves and keep it aside. Pour one teaspoon of an oil in a pan and fry the red chillies. Make sure that the red chillies are not getting burnt.

1. 1. Take all the fried ingredients to the to the mixer and once they are cooled, Grind it to powder(dry) along with the above fried ingredients

1. 1. Now in the pan pour the gingelly oil and add the mustard seeds. When the mustard starts to sputter add the channa dhal and peanut and fry until they change their color to golden brown colour. Now add Turmeric powder, Hing , Curry leaves and fry once.Now add the tamarind extract, turmeric and add the salt. Let the mixture boils till the raw smell of the tamarind goes off.

1. 1. Now add the ground powder to the mixture and cook it in a low flame till its consistency becomes thick.Finally add the grated jaggery and then switch off the flame.

1. 1. The yummy yummy Pulikachal Mix is now ready to mix with the rice.

1. 1. Add cooked and cooled rice to a mixing bowl. Add a proportionate measure of Puli Kachal to the boiled rice and mix gently.

1. 1. The delicious Puliyodharai rice now can be served with Appalam/Pappadam/Vadam or any stir-fried vegetable.

Pulikachal / Pulikachal Rice Mix / Puliyodharai Rice / Pulihora Rice