Friends on Facebook loved the photo I shared and asked for the recipe, so here it is! Just like most of my cooking, this Yogurt Rice recipe is incredibly simple and quick, perfect for busy days. I often use leftover rice, but feel free to cook fresh rice and let it cool down. While some purists might object, you can even experiment with brown rice or quinoa for a healthier twist!
Prep time: 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked and cooled rice
- 1 cup yogurt (or a mix of yogurt and buttermilk for a softer consistency)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
- Tempering Spices: 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (optional), 2 whole dried red chilies, 1 teaspoon split urad dal (black lentils), 10-15 fresh or dried curry leaves (adjust to your preference)
- 1 inch chopped ginger
- 1/2 chopped green chili (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, gently combine the cooked rice and yogurt. For a softer, creamier texture, add a bit more yogurt or buttermilk as needed.
- Stir in the chopped ginger and green chilies (if using) into the rice and yogurt mixture, ensuring they are well distributed.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and wait for them to splutter. Once they pop, add the cumin seeds (if using) and urad dal.
- As the urad dal begins to turn golden brown, add the dried red chilies and curry leaves. Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the red chilies darken.
- Pour this flavorful tempering over the yogurt rice mixture. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
- For an even better flavor, you can cover the yogurt rice and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Tips for a Healthier Yogurt Rice:
- Boost the Probiotics: Yogurt rice is naturally probiotic-rich, great for gut health! Use homemade yogurt or a high-quality natural yogurt to maximize these benefits.
- Whole Grain Option: Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa to increase fiber and nutrients. While the original recipe suggests white rice, these alternatives make it even more of a Healthy Indian Food choice.
- Vegetable Boost: Consider adding finely chopped cucumber, grated carrots, or even pomegranate seeds for extra freshness, vitamins, and texture.
- Spice Level: Adjust the green chilies and red chilies to your spice preference. For a milder version, reduce or omit them entirely.
- Fresh Herbs: While optional in the base recipe, adding chopped coriander (cilantro) or mint leaves can enhance the flavor and nutritional value.
- Lemon or Lime: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice adds a refreshing tang and Vitamin C.
Enjoy this simple and healthy Indian comfort food! It’s a perfect light meal, side dish, or a cooling dish for warm weather. Let me know what your favorite healthy additions are!
