Iyengar-style Puliyodharai recipe: Step-by-step guide to Tamil Nadu’s temple dish

Iyengar-style Puliyodharai recipe: Step-by-step guide to Tamil Nadu’s temple dish

New Delhi: Puliyodharai, also known as Tamarind Rice, is a timeless dish in South Indian cuisine. This Puliyodharai recipe Iyengar style is a popular search for many food lovers due to its unique taste and cultural significance. This dish is a staple in temples during festivals and is enjoyed in households across Tamil Nadu. The name “Puliyodharai” is derived from two Tamil words: ‘puli,’ meaning tamarind, and ‘odharai,’ meaning rice. Thus, Puliyodharai literally translates to tamarind rice.

Puliyodharai’s tangy and savoury flavours come from the perfect balance of spices, tamarind, and seasoning. Originating from ancient temple kitchens, this dish was once a sacred offering to the gods, later shared with devotees. The Iyengar Puliyodharai recipe is particularly revered for its authentic, rich taste.

Puliyodharai Recipe in English

Here’s a simple guide to making this delicious South Indian classic at home:

Puliyodharai Recipe Ingredients

2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
1/2 cup tamarind paste (or 1 cup tamarind juice)
1/4 cup sesame oil or ghee
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp asafoetida (hing)
2-3 dried red chilies, broken
2-3 curry leaves
Salt, to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander (optional)

Temple-Style Seasoning (Podi)

2 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
Salt, to taste

Instructions to Prepare Puliyodharai

Prepare the temple-style seasoning (Podi): Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and sesame seeds. Once cooled, grind them into a coarse powder. Mix the powder with turmeric, red chilli powder, asafoetida, and salt.
In a pan, heat sesame oil or ghee. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried red chillies, curry leaves, turmeric powder, and asafoetida. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Add tamarind paste or juice and cook the mixture for 5-7 minutes until it thickens.
Mix in the cooked rice, salt, and the prepared temple-style seasoning (Podi). Stir until the rice is well coated with the tamarind and spice mixture.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander if desired and serve hot.

This Puliyodharai recipe in English showcases the Iyengar-style method that preserves the traditional flavours. It is a simple yet comforting dish that never fails to impress, whether served at a gathering or as a daily meal. The Puliyodharai recipe ingredients blend to create a dish bursting with tangy, savoury, and subtly sweet flavours, loved by generations.

 Discover how to make Puliyodharai, the famous Iyengar-style Tamarind Rice, with this easy-to-follow recipe. Prepare this temple dish at home with authentic flavours and ingredients.  Food & Drink Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips