Til Chaval (Ellu Sadam/Sesame Rice) is a very tasty rice dish. It is generally prepared as an offering to God during festivals. But, it is also one of the favorite lunch box recipes at our home. It does not use Garlic or Onion. It is one of the many varieties Rice prepared during the Full Moon Day in April (Chitrai). Other rice varieties, which go well with this, are Lemon Rice, Pepper Rice, Mango Rice, Curd Rice and Sweet Rice.
Ingredients:
To Roast and Powder:
Sesame Seeds (Ellu) – 4 tbsp
Whole Red Chillies – 5
Curry Leaves – from 1 twig
Urad Dal (Black Gram) – 1 ½ tbsp
Oil – ½ tsp
Other Ingredients:
Cooked Rice – 3 cups or as required
Sesame Oil – 1 tbsp + 1 tbsp
Mustard Seed – 1 tsp
Urad Dal – 1 tsp
Pea Nuts – 1 tbsp
Turmeric Powder – 1 pinch
Asafoetida – 1 pinch
Curry Leaves – from 1 twig
Method:
Heat a pan and dry roast the Sesame Seeds in medium flame stirring continuously till it starts spluttering. Transfer to a plate and allow it to cool.
In the same pan, add ½ tsp of Oil. Roast the Urad Dal, Curry Leaves and the Red Chillies together till the Dal turns golden. Allow them to cool.
Powder the Urad Dal along with the Curry Leaves and Red Chillies into a coarse powder.
Add the Sesame Seeds and blend it coarsely. Keep aside.
When the cooked fluffy rice is warm, add a tsp of Oil, mix and spread the rice on a plate and allow the rice to cool.
Heat a tbsp of Oil in the pan. Add Mustard and allow it to crackle. Add Urad Dal. Stir fry. When the Dal turns golden, add the Curry Leaves and pea nuts. Fry the pea nuts crisp.
Add Asafoetida and a pinch of Turmeric Powder. Stir it well.
Add the cooked Rice and the required amount of the Sesame Powder which we have prepared (I used the full quantity).
Mix well. Stir cook for a couple of minutes till the Masala coats the Rice evenly.
Transfer to a serving bowl.
Serve with Papad, Spicy Potato Masala, Pickle etc
Note:
The sesame mix powder can be prepared in bulk and stored in an air tight container or Jar and used whenever required. It remains fresh for almost a month.
You can use either white Sesame or Black Sesame for this recipe.
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