A - Z Rice Dishes ~ G for Gongura Pulihora / Spicy & Tangy Sorrel Rice

There are traditional recipes that are carried through generations in families and there are spin-offs with little twists given to the older ones by creative minds. Today's dish gongura pulihora falls in the latter category. Chintapandu pulihora (tamarind rice), nimmakaaya pulihora (lemon rice), mamidi kaaya pulihora (green mango rice) and dabbakaaya pulihora (I guess the English name for the citrus fruit used in the preparation is pomelo) used to be the most commonly prepared pulihoras in Andhra. I have been noticing a wide variety of pulihoras these days on TV cook shows, that were unheard of until a few years back. That's how I ended up hearing about gongura pulihora a while ago though I didn't give a second thought about it until later when it started doing the rounds on several blogs. 

I happened to see this particular gongura pulihora recipe on Pavani's blog a few years ago and have tried it several times over the period though I did not get to post it until now. The pulihora is really delicious and makes a quick alternative to the tamarind rice. My recipe is on the spicier side and Pavani's would be perfect for those who do not prefer very spicy rice.

Ingredients to grind:
2 cups chopped gongura / sorrel leaves
2 tbsp. tamarind puree (I added 3 tbsp.)
3 red chillies

Ingredients for pulihora:
3.5 cups cooked rice (preferably sona masuri style medium grained rice)
2 to 3 tbsp. oil
2 tbsp. peanuts
1 tsp. split chick peas / chana dal
1 tsp. black gram / urad dal
1 tsp. mustard seeds
2 red chilies
1 green chili
Few curry leaves
A few pinches of asafoetida powder
1/8 tsp. turmeric powder
Salt to taste

Method: 
* Cook rice such that each granule stands apart. Don't cook the rice mushy. Spread it on a wide plate.
* Grind the ingredients under 'to grind' smoothly, adding few tsp. of water if needed.
 
* Heat oil in a wide pan or a kadai. Add peanuts, dals and mustard seeds. Fry until dals turn light brownish and add the chillies, asafoetida, turmeric and curry leaves. 
 
 * Now add the ground paste and salt to the pan and stir.
 
* Cook the mixture on low flame until the raw smell of gongura leaves, about 4 -5 minutes. 
 
* Turn off the stove and transfer this mixture to the rice plate or transfer the rice to the pan. Mix gently to combine. 

Recipes so far in A - Z Rice Dishes,
A for Achaari Chole Pulao
B for Bhuna Khichuri
C for Chintapandu Pulihora
D for Dindigul Thalapakatti Veg Biryani
E for Ellorai / Ellotharai  
F for Fodnicha Bhaat

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 68.

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