Mustard Rice

Ava Annam.

Steamed rice or leftover rice is tempered with urad dal and spices. Mustard seeds are powdered and mixed with tempered rice along other spices. This is a quick and easy rice dish that gives a lot of heat. Ava annam is usually served with big scoops of yogurt aside or with cucumber raita.
Makes: around 2 Servings of Hot Mustard Rice.

Ingredients:

• Steamed Rice 2 Cups
• Mustard Seeds 1 tbsp
• Green Chiles 2
• Red Chile Powder 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste

Talimpu:

• Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Broken Red Chiles 3
• Asafoetida a pinch
• Curry Leaves 4
• Oil 1 tsp

Method of preparation:

Remove stems, wash and slice the green chiles.
Grind mustard seeds, red chile powder and salt into fine powder using a spice blender.

Heat oil in a pan, add all talimpu ingredients in order along with green chiles.
When urad dal changes color, stir in rice and remove from heat.
Now stir in ground mustard seeds powder.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary and keep covered for around 10 mintues.
Serve hot mustard seeds rice with any raita or with a glass of buttermilk.
Notes: Make sure not to cook the rice once the mustard seeds powder is added.

Suggestions: If the rice is not spicy enough, add more green chiles or the red chile powder.
Variations: You can also use leftover rice in the same method.
Other Names: Hot Mustard Rice, Ava Annam, Rai Chawal, Ava Pettina Annam.