Samak Rice Pulav

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Also known as Sama, Samai, Varai and Samo, Samak Rice belong to the millet family and makes for a healthy replacement for rice during fasts, especially Navratris. You would be surprised to know that these rice are not a cereal but a fruit which comes from the grass that commonly grows amidst the paddy fields. Loaded with fiber, vitamin B-complex, zinc, manganese and anti-oxidants, Samak surely makes for a good choice for diabetics and heart patients too. Consumption of these rice also helps accelerate weight loss, so, anyone looking forward to shed some weight must include Samak in his/her daily diet routine.

Eating Samak simply plain and boiled can surely be a tough and boring job, so, here I bring for you an interesting version of these rice which not only adds beautiful color to them but also makes them delectable and tasty. Do try making them in your kitchens and let me know how they turned out.


Samak Rice Pulav



Ingredients

1/2 cup samak rice (barnyard millet)
1 cup water (always double the portion of barnyard millet)
1 medium sized potato cut into small cubes
10-12 peanuts, some whole and some crushed
1/2 medium sized tomato, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped petha/yellow pumpkin/butternut squash (optional)
2 green chilies finely chopped
1 inch ginger finely chopped
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp whole coriander seeds
Salt/Sendha Namak to taste
1 tsp black pepper powder
2 tbsp ghee
6 to 7 curry leaves
Fresh chopped coriander for garnishing


Samak Rice Pulav


Here are few more Navratra recipes for all those on fast -

- SABUDANA KHICHDI
- SABUDANA VADA
- VRAT KA DHOKLA
- DAHI MASALA ALOO
- FARALI COCONUT & PEANUT CHUTNEY   


Samak Rice Pulav


Method

1. Soak the samak rice in 1 cup of water for an hour. After 1 hour drain the water, and keep the rice aside.
2. In a pan, heat the ghee. Once it is hot, add chopped ginger and green chilies. Saute for a minute on medium flame.
3. Next, add the cumin seeds, curry leaves and whole peanuts. Saute for 30-40 seconds.
4. Add the diced potatoes and pumpkin. Give a nice stir, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Season with salt and black pepper. Give a nice mix. Add in crushed peanuts as well. Stir.
6. Now add the samak rice and saute for a minute.
7. Add one cup of water along with chopped tomatoes.
8. Cover and cook for 10 minutes on low-medium heat.
9. Switch off the heat and let them sit covered for 5 minutes.
10. After 5 minutes, rice is ready. Fluff up using a fork.
11. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with coconut-peanut chutney or plain curd.


Samak Rice Pulav


Samak Rice Pulav


Here are few more Navratra recipes for all those on fast -

- SABUDANA KHICHDI
- SABUDANA VADA
- VRAT KA DHOKLA
- DAHI MASALA ALOO
- FARALI COCONUT & PEANUT CHUTNEY   


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Comments

  1. Rafeeda ARSeptember 26, 2019 at 3:44 AM

    The pulao looks absolutely tempting. I have never tried millets in my cooking, mainly because it never features on our food habits. Must try this as a substitute for rice during weekend lunches...

    ReplyDelete
  2. MaliniSeptember 26, 2019 at 6:06 AM

    First, of you all, You have an amazing skill in Food Styling and photography. Once in a while, we make samai pulao at home, but my sis and bros don't like it, they feel it is not tasty. After seeing your version, I would definitely want to give a try on them. It looks absolutely delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Motions and EmotionsSeptember 30, 2019 at 12:37 AM

    It's lunch time now and craving for this beautiful samak pulav... Since Navaratri is going on this is a wonderful recipe to feast on

    ReplyDelete
  4. IndfusedSeptember 30, 2019 at 12:40 PM

    Perfect timing for this post! I just bought a pack of varai. I like your recipe adding pumpkin and kala namak. Also loved the tips you shared! Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  5. GeethaOctober 2, 2019 at 3:38 AM

    I came across your post at right time, I've started to include millets in our diet regularly and I was looking for recipes. Pulav with samak sounds delicious and healthy alternative to regular rice pulav. Lovely share..

    ReplyDelete
  6. jayashreeOctober 2, 2019 at 3:39 AM

    Nice healthy food to enjoy. The samak rice pulav looks tasty too. I have tried a few other millets but not this one yet.

    ReplyDelete
  7. HayleyOctober 2, 2019 at 7:07 AM

    Samo pulav or khichdi, one of the healthy vrat dish one can have. Love to have it with raita or farali kadhi.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sandhya RamakrishnanOctober 2, 2019 at 9:39 AM

    What a brilliant idea this is to make pulao with barnyard millet. I love using barnyard millet and this is definitely something I would love to make soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ruchi's Veg KitchenOctober 2, 2019 at 11:15 AM

    Pulao looks so mouth watering . Pulao with millet is simply a great twist. Such a healthy and tasty treat

    ReplyDelete
  10. JayasriOctober 2, 2019 at 3:46 PM

    A simple and tasty pulav, adding peanuts takes it to an other level, delicious

    ReplyDelete
  11. NarmadhaOctober 2, 2019 at 6:09 PM

    It looks so flavorful and delicious. I like to millets in this way than alone. Perfect for fasting season now

    ReplyDelete
  12. My Culinary JourneyOctober 3, 2019 at 2:25 AM

    Sama rice pulao sounds very interesting during fasting or just like that. I have always made Sama rice kababs but never tried this way.
    Wonderful share.

    ReplyDelete
  13. SasmitaOctober 3, 2019 at 6:36 AM

    WOW !! such an interesting version of these samak / varai rice. Looks to have a beautiful color and also much delectably tasty.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My KitchenOctober 7, 2019 at 9:55 AM

    i cook with millets often, samo rice is one of my favorite millet to use. The pulao looks irresistble! The clicks looks superb, love your composition!!

    ReplyDelete

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