Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Savory Sesame Rice (Ellu saadam)

Have you ever noticed how sometimes when we are experimenting in our kitchen we add a little of this and a little of that and the resultant dish is surprisingly tasty and a huge success.This always used to frustrate me in the past...why frustrate, you wonder when this is something to be happy about...well because sometimes I used to remember to write down the recipe while it was still fresh in my mind and sometimes I used to put it off and later would not be able to recall the exact measurements. Which of course means that when requested to make the dish again I would not be able to achieve the exact same results because the proportion of ingredients would vary slightly, hence the frustration.Now though since I began a food blog I diligently measure and write down everything I add to a dish.The benefit is that when I want to make the same dish again I just visit my own blog :)

During one of my chats with my mother in law over the phone we were discussing all the ways that sesame could be used in every day cooking when she quickly gave me two ways.One as a sweet sesame rice that I haven't yet tried and the other a savory sesame rice that I give below.I went with my gut for the quantities of each of the ingredients(since she had just given me the ingredients) and was very happy with the results of this experiment.This simple,quick and tasty dish was a very nice change from the usual types of rice dishes we make and can be served with the traditional kootu to make a complete meal.



Click here for a printable view of this recipe

Ingredients and method to make the savory sesame rice.

4 1/2 cups cooked long grain Brown Rice
salt to taste
1/8 tsp asafoetida (hing) (optional)

To be ground into powder
2 tbsp coriander seeds
6 tbsp sesame seeds
1/2 tbsp fenugreek seeds (methi seeds)
3 dry red chillies

For tempering
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp split black gram lentil (udad dhal)

Dry roast coriander seeds,sesame seeds, fenugreek seeds and dry red chillies separately until each of them turns browner (in case of red chillies dark red) and keep aside.

When cool grind the above ingredients together into a reasonably fine powder (it does not have to be ultra fine)

In a large pan heat oil and add mustard seeds and split black gram lentil. When the mustard seeds splutter and the lentil starts turning reddish,add asafoetida to it.

Lower the heat and add the cooked rice and salt to taste.

Finally add the ground powder and mix well.

Serve hot with curry of choice,salad of choice or just plain yogurt and papads.

Serves about 2 to 3

Notes:

You can easily make this using white long grain rice too

In case you are making this with white rice, reduce the amount of red chillies since white rice will not absorb as much spice as brown rice.

Also remember that the rice has to be cooked such that each grain is separate.

Related Recipes:
Bisi Bele Bath (Rice Lentil and Vegetable dish)

27 comments :

mitr_bayarea said...

Usha-

sesame rice is indeed a nice change from the usual mixed rice varieties, good one.

anudivya said...

Usha, a couple of things... have you tried brown basmati rice? It is just amazing. If you have used it before you know what I am talking about. Seems like it would go nicely for the sesame rice.

And for heaven's sake dont watch that movie... LOL.

ST said...

Sesame rice is something different from usual rice varieties looks very very tasty and its new to me...WILL TRY IT DEFINITELY.

Rajee Mani said...

Delicious dish... My mom makes this during navrathri. Cant wait to see the sweet version.

Madhavi said...

Yummm dish, nice recipe!!!

Deepthi Shankar said...

looks yummy yaar .. itz a new dish for me ...

Maria said...

Your rice looks very nice!!

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

Thanks for reminding me of sesame rice.. totally forgot about it.. i love it and am going to make it sometime soon!

Unknown said...

my mom used to make this..i tried,never came that good..thanks for sharing..will try your way!!

Vidhya said...

my MIL used to make this every saturday. looks yummy

Swati said...

Thats a lovely way to make rice...

Cham said...

I never made it or what never even thought, only one thing is it little bitter taste?
But i love sesame, that I should try out soon Usha! Thanx for sharing!

Srikitchen said...

hey a new recipe for me!

Jaishree Iyer said...

Delicious dish..My husband's favorite Rice..But I never tried in brown basmathi rice.nice recipe!!!

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

Never tried this. Completely new to me. Will try this sometime.

Unknown said...

Wow.. thxs for remindind me.. i am also totally forgot about it.. thxs for sharing..

Dershana said...

The masala mix sounds really tempting :-) I've only tried sesame rice with loads of fresh roasted whole seeds thrown in. this sounds much more interesting.

Pavani said...

hi usha,u have nice blog and sesame rice is different one from our regular doing rice.it colur is good.i will have a try over it

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Usha,

It took a few tries, but the pizza dough was well worth it! It might sound complicated, but it’s not too big a deal; especially when compared to making something like…say, the Parotta from S. India!

Sesame rice sounds like a great way to include more fiber in the diet-great idea!

Cheers

Laavanya said...

I'm not a big fan of ellu podi that is mixed with rice but this looks delicious.

Anonymous said...

I'm just like you, I visit my own blog for previous recipes because I have forgotten the exact measurements! :) LOL!

This sesame rice sounds yummy and flavorful! Using Brown rice is healthy too!

raaji said...

Never tried this usha.....sounds gr8..

Rajani said...

this is brilliant usha!!!!

Raks said...

I love sesame rice and urs looks very tempting!!

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

tempting dish... havent tried this before shall give it a try.

Purva Desai said...

sesame rice looks really new for me and indeed tempting, Thanks for sharing

karuna said...

never had sesame rice, this is a nice dish. will try it soon.

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