Yogurt Rice
There are hundreds of versions of this salad-like dish that are eaten throughout South India and parts of western India as well. At its base is rice, the local starch and staple. (Think of the bread soups of Italy and the bread salads of the Middle East.) The rice is cooked so it is quite soft. Then yogurt, and sometimes a little milk as well, is added as well as any fruit (apple, grapes, pomegranate), raw vegetables (diced tomatoes, cucumbers), or lightly blanched vegetables (green beans, zucchini, peas) that one likes. The final step is what makes the salad completely Indian. A tiny amount of oil is heated and spices such as mustard seeds, curry leaves, and red chilies are thrown into it. Then the seasoned oil is poured over the rice salad to give it its pungency and reason for being. This cooling, soothing dish, somewhat like a risotto, makes a wonderful lunch. It is best served at room temperature, without being refrigerated. Other salads may be added to the meal.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4 as a salad and many more as a topping for soups
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Combine the rice, 3 cups water, and the salt in a medium pan and bring to a boil. Cover tightly, turn heat to very, very low, and cook 25 minutes. Empty rice into a wide bowl and add the milk. Stir to mix and to cool off the rice a bit. Now add the yogurt and mix again. Add the tomatoes and cilantro and mix them together.
Step 2
Put the oil in a small pan or frying pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the urad dal. Let it turn reddish. Put in the mustard seeds and chilies. As soon as the mustard seeds pop and the chilies darken, add the curry leaves. A second later, pour the oil and spices over the yogurt-rice mixture. Stir to mix.
