Nellikai Sadam

Nellikai/Gooseberry/Amla is a high source of Vitamin C and acts as a remedy for many diseases. It enhances food absorption, makes skin and hair healthier, Good for diabetics, reduces cholesterol levels, cools the body and acts as an antioxidant.

I have seen gooseberries being widely used in making pickles. When I was on vacation in India, our helper at home made this interesting recipe of Nellikya (Gooseberry) Saadam Rice. It was something new to me. Tasted delicious and was quick, easy and a healthy recipe to make.

Ingredients:

Gooseberries – 5nos 

Cooked Rice – 2cups

For the paste:

Coconut grated – 2tsp

 Garlic (optional) – 1 or 2 pods

 Green/red chilles -  3 nos

Curry leaves – a spri

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

 Jeera – 1 tsp

Turmeric – ¼ tsp

Salt to taste

For seasoning:

Sesame oil – 1 tsp

Mustard seeds – ½ tsp

Jeera – ½ tsp

Channa dal – ½ tsp

 Urad dal – ½ tsp

Red chillies – 2 broken into two

  Curry leaves – 1 sprig

Method:

• Half cook rice, drain and keep aside. You can use basmati / kolam rice.
• De-seed 3 gooseberries and grind into a smooth paste along with coconut, garlic, green/ red chilli, mustard seeds, curry leaves, jeera and turmeric adding very little water.

• Chop the remaining 2 gooseberries and keep aside.
• Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a deep bottomed pan.
• Add the seasonings- mustard, jeera, curry leaves channa dal, urad dal, redchillies one by one in the same order.
• Fry till the dals are golden brown.
• Add the chopped gooseberries and fry till half cooked. Sprinkle some water if necessary.
• Add the ground paste and fry till raw smell disappears. This may take 3-4 minutes.

Once the paste starts becoming dry and leaving sides drop in the rice and and mix gently.

Do not over mix. Care should be taken not to break the rice.

Yummy gooseberry rice is ready to serve.

Notes:

Roasted peanuts can also be added to the rice to bring in a crunchiness

Roasted peanuts have to be added along with the rice.