Ghee podi rice

As South Indian borns we live on podis (spice powders) . Podi with idly podi with dosa, sambhar podi, kootu podi, kalathu podi,  rasam podi, ellu podi, kollu podi, the list is endless. These save a lot of time in the kitchen and add flavour and nutrition. Hence, we sprinkle it generously on all food stuffs and rice too. Thus originated lunchbox perfect, ghee podi rice.

What is ghee podi rice?

Ghee podi rice is a very simple stirfry rice recipe. The cooked rice is roasted with , ghee, curry leaves and podi. Podi is an lentil and spices mix that is powdered and stored. The flavour of the rice is entirely dependent on the podi used. Typically the podis used have lentils or dals powdered and mixed in them, not just the spices.

What podis are best for ghee podi rice?

Among my favourites to pack in a lunch box as ghee podi rice is

Parippu podi: moong dal and chilli mix
Karuvepelai podi: curry leaves, dal and chilli mix
Ellu podi : sesame seeds lentils and chilli mix
Dhania podi: lentils, coriander seed and chilli mix

This doesn’t limit you. You can try any style of molagapodi(gunpowder) to make this recipe.

Ingredients needed for the podi rice

Cooked rice:This batch was made with red raw rice. Ideally it is best to use left over rice as it will absorb the water perfectly and fluff well. You can cook and cool the rice before you start making the recipe.

Podi: you can choose the version of rice you are making based on the podi you have at hand. Currently we have made this batch with dhania podi that we made earlier. The recipe link for dhania podi is highlighted above.

Ghee:that fragrant ghee is one of the huge parts of the flavour profile. You don’t really want to skip this. The ghee provides a softness to the mixed rice and also keeps the grains apart.

Vegetables: You can add a lot or none of the vegetables in this recipe. I prefer a bit lesser as there is always a poriyal on the side. To the current batch i have added frozen peas. You can add chopped carrots, beans, peas, capsicum or cabbage to make this recipe.

Herbs and seasonings: other than the podi, you may need some salt to add to make this rice. However this is only if needed. You can add chopped coriander leaves or mint leaves to finish the recipe. I have not added any as the podi I used had coriander.

Let’s make ghee podi rice

Ghee podi rice is an easy recipe we rely on often. It comes together in a few steps.

Cook the rice: cooking the rice perfect for stirfrying is key to nailing this recipe. I have cooked raw red rice for this recipe. In the instant pot on rice setting with 2 times water and natural.pressure release is my preferred method to cook rice. One the rice is done, fluff and spread it out to cool. The better idea is to use left over rice as these are great for stirfries of all kinds.

Tempering: the ghee once the rice is ready, heat up the ghee in a pan and add curry leaves and asafoetida to it. When this turns fragrant add the peas or vegetables of your choice and stirfry for a minute.

Stirfry rice and podi:  add the cooled rice , podi and stirfry the rice on high heat for a couple of minutes.

Finishing touches: check the salt levels to see if you need to add any. Add chopped coriander leaves (optional) and a extra teaspoon of ghee on top to complete this recipe. Serve warm.

Meal prep and storage

The podis can certainly be made ahead for months. As for the stirfry it’s can be made and kept for 3 to 4 days on the refrigerator. I prefer to do it instantly as it is a 5 minute process.

What combos are good with ghee podi rice?

Ghee podi rice can literally be had on its own, however a stirfry vegetable on the side tastes lovely. We often like it with cabbage stirfry or  pulikuthi upperi. You could also add a thair pachadi on the side.

Stirfry rice recipes that may come handy

We love stirfried rices in our lunch boxes and make it as much as we can. Here are a few idea that have been popular on this blog.

Peanut butter fried rice
Shallot rice
Pickle Masala rice
Cook up rice

Stay connected

I can literally see my mother roll her eyes over this recipe and say , “ithuvuma solli kodukanam? “(Do I need to explain this too?). This is a easily put together idea that has frequented our lunch boxes for almost always. Since, I realized my kids have no idea of how easy it is to make, here it is for all my readers to keep.
Hope you like this recipe and will share the twists and turns you make when you make this, in the comments below.
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