Ulundhorai | Urad Dal Spice Powder Rice, is a Prasad or offering made for Lord Vishnu during the Tamil month Puratasi. It is a a very famous Prasad served in "Melkote Temple" and its referred as "Ulundogare" in Kannada. Perumal Koil (Vishnu Temples) and Hanuman Temple Prasad are always very famous in Southern India. Some of us even like to visit temples because of the yummy divine taste of the Prasad served there :-). Ven Pongal, Tamarind Rice, Sakkarai Pongal, Sesame Rice (Ellu Sadam) and also Ulundhorai are some of the yummy Prasad being served for Lord Vishnu and distributed to the people.
What is Ulundhorai?
Ulundhorai is Urad Dal and spice flavored rice variety. First we need to make a coarse spice powder using urad dal and spices and then we need to add the spice powder to the cooked rice along with tempering and tossed to serve. The procedure is much similar to Ellu Sadam where we dry roast the sesame and dals along with spices and then grind it to powder and mix with the rice. A quick and easy to make Prasad and also for Lunch box.
You can also prepare the Urad Dal powder once and store it in the air tight container. We can make the Urad dal rice with this powder.
Benefits of Urad Dal
Urad dal is also known as Split Black Lentils or Black gram. We can get this urad dal with and without skin. With skin Black gram are even more healthier and fiber rich than the skinless variety. Urad dal is rich in Proteins, Carbohydrates and Dietary Fiber. Being low in fat, high in Protein and Fiber, consumption of urad dal helps us lose weight by keeping us satiated for a longer time and prevent you from binge eating in-between the meals.
We SouthIndians, use urad dal in our day to day diet. Urad dal is considered to be a binding ingredient. For some of the sambar or kuzhambu or thogayal varieties we fry the urad dal and grind it with other spices which makes the gravy thicker. We also soak grind the urad dal and make Idli, dosa, vada or papad.
You may also want to see the other recipes made using Ulundu (Urad Dal)
- Kali using Ulundhu - Ulundhu Kali
- Bonda using Urad dhal - Ulundhu Bonda
- Ulundhu Vadai
Recipe Card for Ulundhorai | Urad Dal Spice Powder Rice
Ulundhorai | Urad Dal Spice Powder Rice
Equipments Needed
- Pressure Cooker
- Heavy Bottomed Pan
Ingredients
For spice Powder
- 3 tablespoon Split Urad Dal we can also use whole urad dal
- 3 Red Chili
- 1 teaspoon Peppercorns
- a Pinch Asafoetida (Asafetida / Hing)
- Few Curry Leaves
- 1 teaspoon Oil
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked Rice
- 2 teaspoon Salt Adjust as needed
For Tempering
- 1 tablespoon Ghee or we can use Sesame Oil
- 2 Red Chili
- Few Curry Leaves
- 1 tablespoon Cashews
Instructions
Preparing Urad Dal Spice Powder
- Heat a teaspoon of oil and add split urad dal, red chili, peppercorns, curry leaves and hing.
- Fry all the ingredents till the dal turns golden brown. You will get a nice aroma from the dal. Switch off the flame
- Cool the roasted ingredients and grind it to coarse powder.
- Ulundhorai Spice Powder Ready!
Tempering Process
- Heat ghee in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow it to sputter. Then add broken red chili, curry leaves and give a stir.
- Then add cashews and fry till they are light golden and then switch off the flame
Preparing Ulundhorai
- Take a broad vessel and spread the cooked rice. Let it cool for 5 mins
- Then add the tempering , Urad Dal spice powder and Salt. Gently mix so that the spice powder is nicely incorporated and coated well with the rice.
- Ulundhorai | Urad Dal Spice Powder Rice is now Ready for Prasad or for serving!
Notes
- We can also use whole urad dal or Black urad Dal (with skin) to make it even more healthier
- You can also add roasted peanuts.
- Adjust the spice level according to your needs
- You can make the Urad Dal powder, store it in air tight container and use it when required.
Nutritional Info
Method of making Ulundhorai with Step by Step Pictures:
PREPARING URAD DAL SPICE POWDER
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Heat a teaspoon of oil and add split urad dal. Add red chili, peppercorns, curry leaves and hing.
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Fry all the ingredents till the dal turns golden brown.
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Cool the roasted ingredients and grind it to coarse powder.
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Ulundhorai Spice Powder Ready!
TEMPERING PROCESS
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Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow it to sputter. Then add broken red chili, curry leaves and give a stir.
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Then add cashews and fry till they are light golden and then switch off the flame
PREPARING ULUNDHORAI
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Take a broad vessel and spread the cooked rice. Let it cool for 5 mins
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Then add the tempering, spice powder and salt. Gently mix so that the spice powder is nicely incorporated and coated well with the rice.
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Ulundhorai | Urad Dal Spice Powder Rice is now Ready for Prasad or for serving!
