Pulihora | Andhra Tamarind Rice (Chintapandu Pulihora)

Pulihora is an Andhra style tamarind rice which has a perfect balance of tang, spice and salt.  This traditional South Indian rice dish is so flavorful and easy to make.

Every region has some authentic and classic dishes which are very special to them. When you talk about food from that region some dishes just come to your mind. Tamarind rice is one such recipe which is very special to Andhra Pradesh.

Tamarind rice is called Chintapandu Pulihora in Andhra and Telangana. Chintapandu is tamarind and Puli mean sour, which refers to the tangy flavors of the dish.

Andhra style Pulihora is often make during festivals, special occasions and distributed as prasadam in temples.

Though the rice is used typically made with white rice, its tastes equally delicious with brown rice.

This Pulihora

• is a flavorful rice dish from South India

• can be eaten for breakfast or packed for lunch

• is a perfect dish to make for picnic or travel

Instructions with step by step pics –

1- Add small lime size amount of tamarind in 1 cup of boiling water. Let the tamarind soak in the boiling water for 15 minutes.

2- After 15 minutes, squeeze the tamarind to extract the pulp. Drain the tamarind pulp and set a side.

3- In a large pan heat oil and add the dry red chili. In medium flame fry the red chili till dark brown.

4- Add the mustard seeds and let them pop. Now add the chana dal and urad dal and fry for 30 seconds. Add cumin seeds and fry for another 30 seconds.

5 & 6 – Add the slit green chili and curry leaves and saute for few seconds and add the tamarind extract.

7 & 8 – Add salt and jaggery/sugar and cook on medium flame till the gravy thickens. This can take upto 7-10 minutes for the tamarind to thicken.

9- To the thickened gravy add the turmeric powder, more curry leaves, asafoetida (hing) and roasted sesame seed powder.

10- Mix it well and cook for 45 seconds or so. Taste the gravy, it should be sour, salty and little spicy.

11- Add the cooked rice and chick peas ( or roasted peanuts) and mix it well.

12 – Taste the rice and adjust the seasoning if required.

More Indian Recipes-

Burnt Garlic Fried Rice

Instant Pot Veg Pulao (Karnataka Style)

Lemon Rice with onion & carrot

Vangi bath

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This recipe was originally posted on Oct 31,2012. I have republished the recipe with updated step by step pics.