Easy Recipe of Tamarind Rice: Best Lunch Meal

Simple food boring? Simplicity can be the heart of recollection and comfort; that's how the most pleasurable meals taste like. One ingredient that stands out is Tamarind Rice which is famously known as “Puliyodharai Puliyodharai” in various parts of India. 

On long stressful days when you have a mountain of work to scale, this meal especially gives you the soothing and effortless satisfaction one needs.  

For every mood and occasion, the Puliyodharai rightfully serves every taste. It's prepared for every mood, be it an easy Friday lunch or a cozy Sunday brunch; or even packed neatly in a tiffin, the Tamarind Rice tastes delightful every single time. This dish can adapt to any occasion.  

Let’s get this started!

Why is Tamarind Rice a Must Try Meal?

Tamarind Rice is not simply effortlessly turned into a delightful culinary experience. And the best part is, it can be prepared with only a few ingredients available right in the pantry. It is also simple and quick to cook. 

Tamarind rice makes for a wonderful lunchbox item, maintaining its freshness for hours, making it great for traveling. 

It is light, effortless to break down, while also keeping the consumer energized throughout the entire day.

Tamarind rice has some of the most unique and powerful tamarind flavored flavors that combine to provide an experience of sharp sourness, warming spiciness, and soft sweetness.

Not a dish, but rather a lifestyle; the rice lifts the average afternoon into a delightful tamarind culinary motivation pleasures. 

And the best part is, it can be prepared with only a few ingredients available right in the pantry. It is also simple and quick to cook. 

Tamarind rice makes for a wonderful lunchbox item, maintaining its freshness for hours, making it great for traveling. 

Being light, it’s easy to digest, allowing the consumer to remain active throughout the day.  

The most exquisite taste of Tamarind Rice overpowers its entire sourness, spiciness blended with a soft touch of sweetness.

Ingredients  for Tamarind Rice

Credits: Canva

• 1 cup cooked rice (preferably cooled or a few hours old)
• 2 tablespoons thick tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil (or any preferred oil)
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon chana dal (split Bengal gram)
• 1 tablespoon urad dal (split black gram)
• 2-3 dried red chilies
• 10-12 fresh curry leaves
• 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 tablespoon jaggery (optional, for slight sweetness)
• Salt as per taste
• Water as needed

Optional additions:

• A pinch of asafoetida (hing) for added flavor
• Fresh coriander for garnishing

Step-by-Step Method to Prepare Tamarind Rice

Credits: Glen India

1.  Ensure that the rice is not sticky, but separate. If needed, cool the rice by spreading it on a plate.  
2. Take a small bowl and add about 1/4 cup water with tamarind paste and dilute it. Leave it aside.  
3. Put the pan on the stove and heat sesame oil. Add mustard seeds once it is hot enough, and allow them to splutter.  
4. After this, add chana dal and urad dal as well as cumin seeds. Cook them until there is a golden brown color with a nice smell.  
5. Dried red chilies and curry leaves should be added next. Exercise caution since the oil can splatter.  
6. For a minute, stir the peanuts in the tamarind water and let it cook for two to three minutes, or until it becomes raw.  
7. Salt, jaggery (if using), red chili powder, and turmeric powder should be added. After that, stir for 4-5 minutes.  
8. Switch off the flame when the mixture becomes thick and add cooked rice to it. Gently stir the mixture to make sure each grain of rice is covered fully.
9. Give rice a rest of 10-15 minutes to ensure complete absorption of flavors. *Chef’s kiss.*
10. Add freshly chopped coriander for decoration if desired, and then it is ready to serve!

Tips to Make Tamarind Rice Even Better

• Read these pro tips if you want to enhance your Tamarind Rice preparation.
• Whenever you are making Tamarind Rice, remember to either use cooked rice or leftover rice. Freshly cooked, steaming rice can become mushy during mixing. 
• Sesame oil (or gingelly oil) adds genuine South Indian taste, but regular oil can be used instead if it's unavailable. 
• Adjust the quantity of tamarind and jaggery depending on what you like more, sweeter or tangier rice. Preferences tend to vary from one individual to the other. 
• A variety of different vegetables can be added to sautéed carrots and beans to make them more wholesome for the dish.

Why is Tamarind Rice the Perfect Lunch Meal?

Tamarind Rice comes as a savior because:

• It takes barely 20-30 minutes to prepare.
• It’s light yet energizing  no post-lunch sluggishness!
• It can be prepared and kept in the refrigerator for a few days.  
• The following day actually enhances the taste as the ingredients have blended better.
• It pairs perfectly with simple sides like papad, curd, or a pickle.

Lifestyle Benefits of Eating Simple, Home-Style Meals

Credits: Canva

• They remind us of home and childhood, grounding us emotionally.
• They promote better digestion compared to heavy, greasy meals.
• They are cost-effective and save you from ordering junk food.
• They help you maintain a healthy eating routine even on your busiest days.

What to Pair with Tamarind Rice?

Tamarind rice is whole meal by itself, but pairing it with some straightforward sides brings out the best in it.

1. Crisp poppadoms or frys
2. A cool bowl of curd (yogurt) sprinkled with roasted cumin powder.
3. Pickles – mango or lemon pickles work like magic!
4. Potato fry or a simple vegetable stir-fry for extra indulgence.

Perfect Occasions to Serve Tamarind Rice

• As an easy lunchbox meal for work or school.
• On long travel journeys – stays fresh and tasty!
• As a side dish for a South Indian festive spread.
• Quick meal option when unexpected guests arrive.
• A simple weekend meal to detox from heavy eating.

Whether it’s a weekday rush or a weekend unwind, Tamarind Rice adapts to every situation with charm.

Conclusion

Food soothes and energizes us. Even more, it heals us. When life spirals out of control, there is nothing quite like Tamarind Rice. It enchants us to pause, smile, and simply relish in the present. Tamarind Rice is proof that simplicity and sophistication can coexist.

If you want to enhance everyday cooking into an enjoyable and effortless experience, trust Glen India’s wonderful kitchen solutions to be your ultimate helper and make it easy and effective!