Ellu Sadam / Sesame Rice Recipe / South Indian Til Rice
We make ellu sadam ( Sesame seeds rice / Til rice) using black sesame seeds every year for Aadi 18 and Purattasi Sani thaligai. This is one of the 5 rice varieties we offer to God on Aadi perukku. As aadi 18 is nearing, I wanted to share this easy South Indian style sesame rice recipe with you all. In Tamil nadu, this rice is popularly known as Ellodharai. I learnt this recipe from my MIL. For this rice, We make ellu podi using Karuppu ellu / black sesame seeds, urad dal, red chilli and roasted coconut .It is mixed with cooked rice. This sesame seeds powder can be prepared in advance and stored for a week. It can be prepared with white sesame seeds too but my MIL says black is more flavorful than white. Moreover black sesame seeds is preferred for festivals and pooja. If you like sesame seeds recipes, you can make this rice for lunch box as well. As my family likes this rice variety, we make it as a travel food just for one day but without coconut. You can find that recipe in my Travel lunch menu ideas. Today I have shared an authentic version of ellu sadam recipe. Do try this simple and quick rice variety for this aadi 18 and share your feedback with me. Tomorrow I will share a video on how to make 5 rice varieties easily for aadi festival. In that video, I have shared this ellu sadam recipe too. Do watch it to get a clear idea. Ok, now lets see how to make ellu sadam with step by step photo.
Heat 1 tsp oil and roast red chillies, urad dal till golden.
Lastly add grated coconut, roast for a minute.
Remove, grind them adding sesame seeds and salt.
Grind to a fine powder. Mix with cooked rice.
Temper and add to rice. Mix well and enjoy!
Sesame seeds rice / Ellu sadam – Step by step photo
Pressure cook raw rice and spread in a plate.Cool down.Dry roast black sesame seeds till it crackles. If you keep roasting in high flame for 2 to 3 minutes, it will crackle. Remove in a plate.
In the same kadai, heat 1.5 tsp cooking oil. Roast red chillies, urad dal till golden. Lastly add the grated coconut and roast till its moisture goes off. Adding coconut is optional but it helps to balance the taste of this rice.
Grind the roasted dal, chilli, coconut and sesame seeds to a smooth powder adding salt. Do not grind continuously for long time. Sesame seeds release oil and make the powder wet. So grind in regular intervals. Ellu podi is ready.
Temper mustard seeds, urad dal, red chilli and curry leaves.Take the cooked rice in a bowl. Add the required sesame seeds powder, tempered items and mix well. Add 1 tsp sesame oil. Check for taste before serving.
Add more salt and sesame oil if needed. Mix well and serve !
Notes
Sesame seeds should be roasted properly else rice tastes bitter.
You can add more chillies if you like spicy rice.
For variations, you can skip coconut and roast urad dal, chillies.
You can make & store this ellu podi in refrigerator upto 1 week. If you don’t use coconut, you can store at room temperature. No need to refrigerate it.
