Usirikaya pulihora ( Usirikaya/Indian gooseberry flavored rice)

Usirikaya which is called amalika in Sanskrit, amla in Hindi, Bettada nellikkayi in Kannada, amloki in Bengali, nelli in Malayalam and Tamil, is available all over Asia. In India, the tree is considered sacred by Hindus, as they believe Vishnu dwells under this tree. Amla is a deciduous tree of the family of Phyllanthaceae. Amla is sour, bitter and astringent.

Amla is very rich in vitamin C and is known for its anti-oxidant properties. Amla fruits are low in calories and are known for health-benefiting effects against cancer, aging, inflammation and neurological diseases.

As amla is sour to taste, it tastes very nice when added as a flavoring to rice etc. During winter, when amla is in season, many dishes are prepared and also pickles and chutneys are prepared. Following is a recipe for amla flavored rice, called usirikaya pulihara.

Amla flavored quinoa:

Amla tree full of fruits:

Amla ready for use:

Amla segments separated and seed removed:

Processed amla added to seasoning:

Ingredients:

•      4 to 5 usiri kayalu
•      2 cups cooked rice
•      1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
•      Salt to taste
•     A few curry leaves

Seasoning:

•       2 red chiles
•      1 tsp urad dal
•      1 tsp. chana dal
•      1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
•      2 green chiles split in half
•      1/2 tsp. cut ginger
•      A pinch of hing (asafetida)
•      2 tbsp. peanuts

Directions:

1.      Cook rice in a rice cooker or pressure cooker. Rice must not be mushy. Cooked rice grains must be separated.
2.      Cut amla and discard seeds.
3.      Place the pieces in a processor and grind.
4.      Heat oil in a deep pan.
5.      Add red chiles, chana dal, urad dal and mustard seeds.
6.     When mustard seeds splutter, add hing, green chiles and ginger.
7.     Add curry leaves.
8.     Add processed amla.
9.     Mix well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
10.     Add cooked rice, turmeric and salt.
11.     Remove from heat and mix thoroughly.
12.     Let it settle for 10 to 15 minutes. Actually flavored rice dishes taste a lot better when served 2 or 3 hours after preparing!
13.    Serve with raita or curd (yogurt).

Variation:

Instead of cooked rice, you can cooked, cooled quinoa.

Cook quinoa in a pressure cooker and fluff the cooked quinoa.
Let it cool to room temperature.
Repeat the seasoning process as is done for rice. Amla flavored qunoa is very nice to taste and is very healthy!!