Puliyodarai – Tamil Iyengar Style (Tamarind Rice) | Rasaala

Ingredients

• 1/2 slab tamarind block (soak in warm water for a few hours)
• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 4-6 dry red chilies
• 2 tbsp chana dal (soak in a bit of water for about 20 mins)
• 4 tbsp Salt
• 1 cube jaggery/gud (if using powder, roughly 2 tbsp - this is also optional, but gives a rounded taste)
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Hing
• 1 tsp methi seeds (vendhayam/whole fenugreek seeds. Can also add methi powder instead)
• 1 cup rice
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup Raw peanuts
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Hing
• 2 tbsp puliyodarai podi (spice powder) (see notes for link to puliyodarai powder recipe)