How to cook South India stley curd Rice

Curd rice, also known as “Thayir Sadam” in South India, is a simple and comforting dish made with cooked rice and yogurt. Here’s a step-by-step recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice (preferably short-grain rice like Sona Masoori)
• 2 cups yogurt (curd), preferably sour
• 1 tablespoon oil or ghee
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1/2 inch ginger, grated
• A few curry leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) for garnish
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Drain the excess water.
2. Cook the rice: In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the washed rice and a pinch of salt. Cook the rice until it’s soft and mushy. You can also use a rice cooker for this step.
3. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a wide mixing bowl and let it cool down to room temperature. Mash the rice lightly with a spoon or a masher.
4. Add the yogurt to the cooked rice and mix well until the rice is well coated with yogurt. Adjust the quantity of yogurt according to your preference for creaminess.
5. In a small pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
6. Add chopped green chilies, grated ginger, and curry leaves to the tempering. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
7. Pour this tempering over the yogurt rice mixture and mix well. Ensure that the tempering is evenly distributed.
8. Add salt to taste and mix again. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
9. Garnish the curd rice with chopped coriander leaves.
10. Let the curd rice sit for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
11. Serve the curd rice chilled or at room temperature. It can be enjoyed on its own or with pickles or papadams on the side.
12. Enjoy the creamy and refreshing curd rice as a comforting meal or as a side dish with your favorite Indian spread!

This recipe yields a delicious batch of curd rice that is perfect for any meal of the day.