Thursday, June 17, 2010

Thengai saatham

Thengai - coconut ; saatham - rice.
Kalantha saatham (variety rice or rice mixed with some spices/ masala) is an indispensable one in any South Indian home. The best part in kalantha saatham is that they would be prepared to accompany any long journey and they should withstand the time. For example in olden days they packed the tamarind rice or lemon rice in such a hygienic way that they last for at least 3 days.

But this coconut rice should be consumed within 12 hours because of the addition of coconut. Anyways this rice is loved by all for its nice flavor and taste.



Thengai saatham served with masala egg and bottle-gourd dhal curry.

Ingredients:
Rice (pacharisi / Basmathi) - 1 cup
Shredded coconut - 1/2 cup
moong dhal (split green gram lentil / paasi paruppu) - 2 tsp
mustard - 1/2 tsp
curry leaf - 1 sprig
cilantro - a handful (chopped)
dry red chilly - 2
oil - 1 tsp

cooking the rice:
(I prefer stove top method for pulao and 'variety rices'. we can microwave also. But the pressure cooker method makes the rice mushy. Rice cooker can also be used to prepare the rice).

Wash and soak the rice for 30 minutes or lesser.
Bring to boil some 3 cups of water along with 1/2 tsp salt.
Add the soaked , drained rice and reduce heat. Cook covered till almost done.
Switch off and pour it over a colander and remove the water completely.
Keep the rice open to maintain it as separate grains. Let it cool for sometime.

Method:
Heat 1 tsp oil in a wok and add mustard seeds. As they start to crackle, slide in the moong dhal, red chillies (cut into small pieces), curry leaf, shredded coconut , chopped cilantro, in the same order and fry till the coconut starts smelling great. Switch off immediately before they get red (maintain the white color of coconut).
Add some salt to taste (little only). Switch off heat.

Gently mix the rice with the prepared coconut mixture without breaking the rice grains.

Coconut rice is ready!

Serving suggestions:
Good for a quick packed lunch.
It can also be served as starter rice before serving the sambar over plain rice in an elaborate lunch.
Serve with paruppu thogaiyal (fried dhal chutbney), potato chips etc.

19 comments:

Soma Pradhan said...

Hey Nicely prepared..looks yumm

Rach said...

Looks yummy! I have a thengai sadam recipe at my blog as well. You may be interested to have a look at it :) I simply love coconut rice

Rina said...

Thenagi sadam is all time fav..viki dear..the orama is irrestible..goes so well with any gravy..

PranisKitchen said...

thengai sadham looks delicious..any dish with coconut is superb..this rice taste really yummy..the egg combination wow really yummy

Unknown said...

long time I made this...looks yumm..

Indian Khana said...

Simply delicious..yummy platter

Satya said...

coconut rice looks delicious and very quick to prepare...my mom used to prepare this during my school days,from long time i did n't eat coconut rice....thank s viki for sharing this ...i will prepare it soon

Sunitha said...

Looks great! It will be nice to serve for guests.

Swathi said...

Thengai saatham looks really delicious viki. I liked the egg masala and pumpkin dal.

Nithu Bala said...

My favourite thenga sadam..great click..

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Hi Viki

Loved the coconut rice preparation, the grainslook so yummy. Must have tasted great.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

FH said...

Love coconut aroma and flavor in rice and in dishes, beautiful paired up with Egg dish on side. Looks yum.
Have a great time, see you in July.

VineelaSiva said...

Coconut rice looks yummy.The plate is very inviting.

Panchpakwan said...

Looks so perfect, delicious coconut rice..Love to have some!!

Priya Suresh said...

Very delicious and tempting rice, i never tried adding moongdal to coconut rice, thanks for sharing..

Suman Singh said...

coconut rice sounds delicious to me...looks yummie

divya said...

slurrrrrrrrrrrrp mouth watering dish...

Nandinis food said...

Thengai saadam labakunum bola irukkuu! I'd 'labak' with those potatoes!

GayathriRaj said...

Hey wow such a quick dish yaar....i think i got one new dish for packing lunch for my hubby... :)
Nice and simply yummy dish i say...

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