For rice lovers, there's no greater joy than indulging in mouth-watering rice dishes. Whether from the northern part of the country or the south, the excitement to try them out remains the same. The fact that each of them is so different from the other further adds to the excitement. One such popular rice dish is tamarind (imli) rice. Also known as pulihora, it is a staple in South Indian households and is loved for its blend of spicy, tangy, and sour flavours. However, it can be slightly tricky to strike the balance of these flavours. Many times, one flavour overpowers the other, and the outcome is quite a disaster. You'd certainly not want to be in such a situation, right? If you're planning to make tamarind rice anytime soon, here are some easy tips to master the recipe.
Also Read: Make South Indian Chili Tamarind Pickle To Add A Fiery Zing To Your Meals
Photo Credit: iStock
Tamarind Rice Recipe | Here Are 5 Tips To Make Perfect Tamarind Rice:
1. Cook your rice with love
Whenever you cook something, you must put your heart and soul into it. You must follow this principle when cooking rice as well. Although it's a basic ingredient, it requires attention while cooking. When making tamarind rice, ensure that you give it enough time to cook - avoid rushing the process. After all, it will turn out well only if the rice is soft and fluffy, and for this, you need to cook it well. Also, remember to choose good-quality rice for the best results.
2. Get your hands on fresh tamarind
Tamarind is what makes this dish so delicious, so it goes without saying that it has to be super fresh. If it's not, the rice will lack that distinct flavour which makes it so unique. Once you get your hands on fresh tamarind, soak it in water for a few minutes until it turns soft. When it does, squeeze it well with your hands and extract all the fresh juice.
3. Balance out the flavours
Tamarind rice offers a blend of spicy, tangy, and sour flavours. For perfect results, these flavours should be perfectly balanced. If your tamarind rice is too spicy or too sour, it naturally won't taste good. To avoid this, always follow the quantity of the ingredients mentioned in the recipe. After adding everything, do a quick taste check to see if you wish to adjust any of the quantities. This way, you'll avoid adding any ingredient out of proportion.
4. Do not forget the tempering
To give tamarind rice its final touch, you must temper it. If you skip this step, there will be a missing element in your tamarind rice. We are sure you wouldn't want that, right? Prepare a tadka with oil, roasted peanuts, curry leaves, and green chillies. Once your tamarind rice is ready, garnish it with this tadka for enhanced flavour. Trust us, it's going to taste incredibly delicious.
Also Read: Out Of Tamarind Paste? No Worries! Say Hello To These 5 Perfect Substitutes
Photo Credit: iStock
5. Patience is key
Okay, we know you can't wait to indulge in the mouth-watering dish you just prepared. But hold on - you need to let it sit for some time. By doing so, all the flavours are fully absorbed into the rice. The more flavours there are, the better your tamarind rice will taste. So, while it may seem like a long wait, have some patience, and we guarantee it's going to be worth it.
Now that you know these tips, keep them in mind the next time you plan to cook tamarind rice. Do let us know how they worked for you in the comments below.