Tadka Rice

Tadka Rice is a very simple yet amazing dish of rice tossed with spices, seasoning and peanuts. It is an easy recipe to use leftover rice and turn them into a new delicious dish; it is a good way to save food and reuse existing food.

Serves: 4
Cooking Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of cooking oil (I use sunflower oil)
• 1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 5 to 6 curry leaves
• 5 to 6 green chillies, slit (adjust according to spice tolerance)
• 1 cup of finely chopped onion
• 1 cup of finely chopped tomato
• 3 cups of cooked rice or leftover cooked rice
• 1/2 cup of roasted and salted peanuts (available in any supermarket)
• 1/2 teaspoon of red chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala powder
• 1/4th teaspoon of turmeric powder
• juice of half a lemon (if tomatoes are not tangy)
• salt to taste
• 5 to 6 coriander sprigs, finely chopped
• 1/4th cup of water

Procedure

• In a large mixing bowl, add cooked or leftover rice. Mix red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and garam masala to the rice.
• In a large saucepan, add a tablespoon of cooking oil. Once the oil has heated, add the mustard seeds and cover the pan with a lid.
• Once the mustard seeds have crackled, add the cumin seeds and cover the pan with a lid.
• Once the cumin seeds have crackled, add the curry leaves and slit green chillies. Saute` for a minute or until the green chillies are cooked but not burnt.
• Add the chopped onion and saute` until they turn light brown.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn tender.
• Add the spiced rice along with a few sprinkles of water. Saute` for 5 minutes or until the rice turns warm. Sprinkle water in between to make sure it doesn't burn and doesn't get too dry.
• Once the rice is done, add lemon juice if the tomatoes were not tangy enough. Adjust salt if required.
• Add the roasted and salted peanuts along with freshly chopped coriander.

Tadka Rice is ready, serve it hot with some yoghurt.

Notes

• As this recipe can be used for left over rice, it is important to add a good amount of coriander for fresh flavour.
• Feel free to add any other dry fruits you might enjoy to the rice. Cashew nuts are a good combination with this rice too.
• You can add your favourite vegetables or beans to this rice too.