Jul 18, 2011

Pulikachal/ Puliyodharai Mix

This is the way amma makes pulikachal/puliyodharai mix. Made with tamarind, the mix is a very tangy and delicious one and makes a comforting rice dish perfect for lunchboxes and picnics. Puliyodharai can be whipped up in a matter of minutes when you have this pulikachal in hand. The mix stays fresh for quite a few days because of the addition of tamarind. The rice can be had all by itself, or a simple potato fry or papads or vadagams or coconut thuvayal.


Ingredients
Tamarind - 2 lemon sized balls
Gingelly/Sesame oil - 4 tablespoons
Mustard seeds - 1 tablespoon
Urad dhal - 3 tablespoons
Channa dhal - 3 tablespoons
Red chillies - 6 or 7 depending upon spice levels
Curry leaves - few
Garlic - 7 cloves (optional)
Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Fenugreek/methi seeds/vendhayam - 1/2 teaspoon
Asafoetida/Hing powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Cashews/Peanuts - 1 tablespoon (optional)
Salt to taste


Directions
Soak the tamarind in about 1/2 cup of warm water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Mash the tamarind well and strain to get a thick tamarind paste.

In a kadai, dry roast the fenugreek seeds and grind it into a fine powder.

In the same kadai, heat the oil. Add the mustard seeds. Once the seeds start spluttering, add the urad dhal, channa dhall and saute till they turn golden brown in color. Add the cashews/peanuts if using. Add the red chillies, curry leaves, asafoetida and fenugreek powder.

Switch to low flame and slowly add the tamarind extract. Take care because it might splutter. Add the garlic, turmeric powder and salt. Simmer and allow it to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the mix thickens well. It should be in a thick paste like consistency and the oil well separated from the tamarind extract.

Once done, switch off the flame and when required, add a little amount of the mix along with some cooked rice and enjoy warm!


We had the puliyodharai along with some coconut thuvayal.

29 comments:

  1. Hahahaha.. I like the white rice turning into puliodharai.. Cute.. Pulikaichal looks yumm... You have made it well. I like to leave it for a while after mixing so that it gets completely soaked.. Ahhh... Delicious..

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  2. Wow...mouthwatering and delicious...

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  3. long time I made this..am quite tempted to make it today..looks yumm..

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  4. Nicely explained recipe...can feel the tangy taste...yumm..

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  5. First time coming here from show and tell blog. Nice blog. Pulikaychal is my all time fav. It best pairs with potato chips for me.

    Cheers,
    Uma
    http://umaskitchenexperiments.blogspot.com

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  6. I too some times add garlic in puli kachal,love it!

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  7. Tangy and flavorful lunch box recipe Divs...

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  8. Never added garlic in Pulikatchal but I have heard people adding ginger. Looks delicious!

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  9. Always had the puliyodharai rice but never knew actually what went into the mix..Now I know what goes into making it.

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  10. Wow what a lovely dish! It looks so glossy and vibrant :)

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  11. Having this tangy, delish mix can be quite handy...Thx for sharing this one...Mom will be pleased when I pass this recipe to her :)
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  12. Very mouthwatering and delicious...

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  13. வாவ்...ரொம்ப நல்லா இருக்கு...சூப்பர்ப்...

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  14. பூண்டு சேர்த்து புளிகாய்ச்சல் செய்ததில்லை,நல்லாயிருக்கு திவ்யா!!

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  15. the puhihora chutney looks great .thanks for the recipe.

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  16. aah looks very tempting.thanks for reminding me, long time i didnt make this.
    llove ur version

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  17. Oh my God this looks so good and i`m sure that it is delicious too. I think it is not a very difficult recipe so i will give it a try, thanks a lot for sharing.

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  18. Using garlic n onions in pulikachal tastes better than the normal ones..yummy

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  19. I love puliyodaria.. I have had this at my friends place. Yours looks so divine :)

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  20. Nothing beats home made puliodharai. :) luks delicious n comforting divs :)

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  21. tangy and delicious puliodarai. Would love to taste it..

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  22. Looks delicious and tongue tickling ...yum

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  23. This good way to attempt for the consideration of the work and it work quality.

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  24. i love this spicy tangy rice...but have always used the ready made MTR paste for this...i will bookmark this recipe n' try it soon....:)

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