One popular version of Andhra style preparation that is absolutely loved at home involves the use of roasted sesame seeds powder. The moment it touches your tongue, you are hit with addictive flavors that make you crave for more. To savor the true taste of traditional recipes like Pulihora, its advisable to prepare from scratch and resist the temptation to follow the easy route of MTR Pulihora instant mix. Yes, even though instant mixes make our life convenient, store bought mixes lack the authentic home made flavors and aromas. Wouldn’t you agree? This is my entry to Srivalli’s ‘Rice Mela’ and Sunshinemom’s ‘Food In Colours – Brown’ food events. Recipe source: Amma Prep & Cooking: 45 mts Serves 4-5 persons Cuisine: Andhra . Ingredients: 2 cups raw rice (cook such that each grain is separate, spread to cool) 1/2 tsp turmeric/haldi/pasupu 15-20 fresh curry leaves salt to taste large lemon sized tamarind (soak in a cup of hot water and extract pulp) 1 tsp jaggery or brown sugar (optional) 1 tbsp channa dal (split bengal gram) 1 tbsp urad dal/minappapu/split black gram 1 tsp teaspoon mustard seeds 1 tsp cumin seeds 3-4 medium dry red chilli 4-5 green chillis slit length wise 1 1/2 tsps finely chopped ginger 1/4 tsp hing/asafoetida/inguva 1 1/2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds pwd 2 fistfuls roasted peanuts 3 tbsps oil Pulihora tastes best after sitting for a couple of hours from the time of preparation. Another version is to replace sesame seeds pwd with a tsp of black mustard seeds pwd (ava podi or paste).
