Curd rice or “Thayir Sadam” in South India is not just a dish; it’s an embrace of flavors and traditions. This favorite classic shows off the region’s culinary heritage with its creamy yogurt, soft rice, and explosion of spices. In this article I will tell you why this is the ultimate comfort food, its health benefits, and how to make the creamiest version with foxtail millet added for goodness.
Why I LOVE… This Recipe!
This is a HEALTHY variation of a traditional comfort food. I like the contrast between smooth curd and nutty millet in terms of both taste and texture. Moreover, it’s EXTREMELY REFRESHING on hot days because it is super cooling. What I appreciate about millets is that they give the dish some chewiness along with extra nourishment as well. Furthermore, this recipe is so SIMPLE – cook millets then mix them with curds before adding spices and tempering; that’s all there is to it! And guess what? Despite being LIGHT ON STOMACHS, which means we can have it whenever we want without feeling weighed down afterwards; hence making this an all day dish for me personally . So seriously guys if you still haven’t tried out Curd Rice made from Millets then believe me when say that you don’t know what you’re missing – such yumminess plus health benefits too!
This cooking journey began on an ordinary day when we wanted something special for our early blog post about simple & comforting foods.
While mixing up the simplicity of cooked rice and fresh yogurt which were seasoned with mustard seeds and curry leaves among other things whipped together nicely but then today we bumped it up by including some foxtail millets known for their nutritional benefits that blended seamlessly into a creamy base giving this meal earthy undertones while taking them higher than ever before.
And as we enjoyed each spoonfuls filled with creamy richness now made more nutritious thanks to millet grains – one thing became clear: sometimes in pursuit of exotic tastes, we overlook simple yet nourishing pleasures. Curd Rice With Millets is such an example where modesty combined well with few other ingredients resulting into something extraordinary.
My Millet Infused Curd Rice: Image Gallery
Let’s Dive into South Indian Curd Rice Varieties & Toppings
- Tamil Nadu: The home state for curd rice is Tamil Nadu where it is considered as a plain canvas waiting to be painted with different hues or colors. Think about mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves and some crunch from carrots or pomegranate seeds. It’s a taste riot!
- Andhra Pradesh: When in Andhra Pradesh get ready for spice attack because their ‘Perugu Annam’ has everything spicy-ness that you need – mustard seeds, red hot chillies and sometimes crunchy roasted cashews for those who like it extra hot!! It will light up your taste buds like never before!
- Karnataka: Karnataka’s ‘Mosaranna’ is a gentle breeze on a summer day kind of dish. Grated coconut, ginger zestiness along with the cooling touch of curry leaves makes this curd rice heavenly delicious. It’s mild it’s cool and it’s yum!
- In Kerala: The “Thairu Saadam” from Kerala blends grated coconut, ginger and an aromatic hint of curry leaves together creating a comforting sweetness in every bite like warm hug.
- Telangana: Telangana adds tang to its curd rice by serving it with ‘Pachi Pulusu’ or Tamarind Rasam which gives the dish that extra zing! It is going to be an amazing journey for your taste buds!!
- Chettinad (Tamil Nadu): Chettinad style brings fenugreek seeds, dried red chillies heat and some grated coconut richness into the picture making it a delightful experience full of flavors playing around on one’s palate.
- Tulu Nadu (Karnataka): Curd rice from Tulu Nadu surprises you with roasted sesame seeds and finely chopped onions. It’s an explosion of flavors that are unique in their own way making it hard to resist!
Variations and Toppings
This dish can be altered according to one’s taste buds. The following are some variations or toppings which can be tried out:
- Grated carrots, cucumber or beetroot for added crunchiness.
- Pomegranate seeds or grapes for sweetness along with tanginess.
- Roasted peanuts or cashews for nuttiness.
- Chopped coriander/mint leaves for freshness.
- A teaspoonful of ginger or Mango pickle for spiciness.
- Appam and Banana Chips for extra crispness.
Five Health Facts About Curd Rice
- Probiotic Powerhouse: This dish is a probiotic thriller! Jam-packed with friendly bacteria, it’s a carnival in your belly ensuring good health all around.
- Rich in Calcium: Soak up the bone boosting benefits! A calcium-rich yoghurt used in this recipe will give you strong bones, stand tall and proud!
- Digestive Comfort: When digestive relief is what you need most, then let curd rice come to your aid as it acts like a superhero saving the day every time there’s trouble in paradise – I mean tummy heaven – uh…you know what I’m getting at here right?
- Protein-Packed: Stay strong with every bite! Curd rice could be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to building muscle strength thanks to its protein content that helps repair worn out cells too; eat up soldier so we can tackle those bulging biceps together!
- Hydration Support: Quench your thirst with curd rice! After an intense workout or during those scorching summer days this dish will keep you refreshed and hydrated like no other, so drink deep my friend because life’s about to throw some serious heat at us
Ingredients
For Cooking Rice & Millet
- ½ cup short-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoon foxtail millet
- 1 ½ cups water
Other Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 tablespoon Fresh coriander finely chopped
- 1 green chilli medium-sized
- 1 ½ cups full-fat curd or plain yogurt
- ¼ cup full cream milk
- ½ cm piece of fresh ginger chopped
For Tempering
- 1 tablespoon coconut or vegetable oil
- 1 pinch asafoetida Hing
- ½ teaspoon black mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon urad dal
- 2 dry Red chilies
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- 1 tablespoon cashew nuts 1/2 broken
For Garnish
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
Instructions
For Cooking Rice & Millet
- Begin by rinsing the rice and foxtail millet thoroughly in a vessel until the water runs clear. I've chosen foxtail millet because it complements the rice and cooks at a similar rate. While short-grain rice is traditional and ideal, you can use any short-grain rice you have at home.
- Soak the grains in excess water for half an hour, then drain the water.
- Transfer the grains to a pressure cooker and add water.
- Cook on high heat until one whistle, then reduce the flame to medium and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and wait for the pressure to release completely from the pressure cooker.
- Open the lid and transfer the cooked grain mix to an open vessel. Gently mix and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the curd until it’s smooth.
- In a tempering pan or ladle, heat oil.
- Add asafoetida (Hing) and mustard seeds and fry until the mustard seeds crackle and turn golden brown. This tempering adds incredible flavors to the curd rice.
- Add the red chillies and fry them again. The fried red chillies impart a slight kick of heat and a smoky note to the dish.
- Now, add the cashew nuts and fry them until they turn golden brown. The cashew nuts add an additional crunch and a nutty flavor.
- Add fresh curry leaves. Your kitchen will be filled with the delightful aroma of curry leaves, enhancing the taste of the dish.
- Pour the curd and milk on the cooked rice, Curd and the rice should be at the room temperature, mix gently.
- Add the tempering into the curd and cooked grain mix. Gently mix the curd rice with a flat ladle or spatula, being careful not to mash the rice. A perfectly cooked curd rice should have visible grains and not be sticky.
- Add chopped ginger, grated carrot, and green chilli. Chopped coriander is optional but adds a burst of freshness.
Assembling
- To add a touch of elegance to your curd rice, consider this presentation method, easy to carry as a tiffin or pick nick.
- Take a glass jar with a lid and layer the curd rice, topping it with the accompaniments. Repeat until the jar is full. You can include the tempering spice, crushed banana chips, and pomegranate in between the layers. They complement the curd rice, providing a sweet burst of flavor that balances the tanginess of the curd.
Serving
- Curd rice pairs wonderfully with mango, ginger, or lemon pickle, enhancing the overall dining experience. You can pack the crunchies in a small pack or jar separately.
- Now, you’re ready to savor this refreshing and delightful Thayir Sadam, enriched with the goodness of millets and prepared with love and care. Enjoy a taste of tradition and culinary artistry in every spoonful.
Notes
- Use full-fat curd for a creamier texture.
- Soak and rinse the grains thoroughly for best results.
- Don’t mash the rice; the grains should remain visible and separate.
- Experiment with your choice of millets for a unique twist.
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