Did you know curd was introduced to the world 8000 years ago?
You read that right.
The Central Asian nomads were the first to discover that milk would undergo a fermentation process when stored in the presence of bacteria.
I am sure most of you would agree with me if I say that curd is one such fermented product that is both healthy and a tasty delight.
You can have it as a snack, mix it with fresh vegetables, or savor it with your lunch or dinner.
But have you heard about a dish called curd rice? It can be a go-to meal for you and your family when you have less time for home cooking. Also, it has all the goodness of curd in it.
So, how to make curd rice, you ask?
Not to worry. In this blog, I am going to share a detailed guide on how to make curd rice. Besides this, I will also share the benefits of curd rice and FAQs you may have related to this recipe.
So, let us begin.
How to make curd rice at home?
Whether you live in a nuclear or joint family, leftover rice will be present in your refrigerator.
But for curd rice, always avoid using leftover rice. The reasons are:
- Consuming left-over rice is not good for your health as it contains a larger load of bacteria, and
- It may also affect the taste and aroma of the curd rice
So, always go for freshly prepared rice.
To do that, take half or one cup of rice (depending on the requirement) in a bowl, wash it, and drain it 2 to 3 times until all the impurities are removed. You can keep the rice for soaking for 20 to 30 minutes which will make the rice cook faster.
Now, take water in a container (double the quantity of rice) , add a little salt and allow it to boil. When the water starts to boil, add the rice and cook for about 10 -15 minutes.
Once the rice is cooked, drain it and mash it when it is hot. This is because it is easier to mash the rice when it’s hot and to get the required texture for the curd rice.
If you have less time, you can cook the rice in the pressure cooker too. Take washed rice, add water (1.5 times of rice), and cook until one to two whistles. Make sure to mash the rice while it’s hot.
You may wonder which rice is used for curd rice.
It is white rice. However, you can use a combination of white and red rice in equal quantities.
Once your rice is soft-cooked and mashed, allow it to cool at room temperature. This is a critical step in the curd rice recipe. If you add curd when the rice is hot, the curd may undergo coagulation and whey may get separated. So, make sure the rice is completely cooled before adding the curd.
When your rice is ready, add one to two cups of curd and mix thoroughly until curd mixes well with the rice. You can use homemade curd or store-bought yogurt or curd. At this stage, you can also add more curd and water to get the required consistency as per your preference.
For the extra flavors and textures, add the grated carrots which give a pinch of sweetness that perfectly blends with the sour taste of curd rice.
The next interesting part is – How to make curd rice tadka? For that, in a pan take 2- 3 tbsp of oil. Add ½ tsp of chana dal, and ½ tsp of urad dal and sauté until they turn golden brown. Then add 1 tsp of mustard seeds and allow them to crackle.
Once you hear the crackling sound, add 4 -5 curry leaves, 1 green chili, and diced ginger and sauté until they get a crispy texture. If you have not added green chili, add one or two dry red chilies and sauté them until they release a pleasant aroma. You can also make different type of tempering as mentioned in this article, but without the garlic cloves.
Add this tempering to the curd rice and mix thoroughly. You can add pomegranate and roasted cashews for a crunchy texture to your curd rice. Then add the coriander leaves, salt to taste, and that’s it, your curd rice is ready to be served!
So, if someone asks you – ‘how to make curd rice?” you have the answer.
Now let me tell you benefits of curd rice that are worth your attention.
Curd rice benefits
- Curd rice is a complete meal containing a higher amount of calcium, protein, and healthy fats (thanks to the curd) and can be served for either breakfast or lunch.
- It also contains probiotics from the curd that help in improving your digestive system and gut health.
- This dish is preferred in summer as the curd in it acts as a natural coolant and brings down the body temperature. So, if you want to beat the heat in burning summers, you know what to eat 😊
- If you are thinking that consuming curd rice regularly can get you cold, then you must stop worrying. The spices and oil that you add to curd rice balance perfectly with the cooling nature of curd, hence making it a refreshing meal.
Still doubtful about whether to add curd rice to your diet? The following FAQs might help you.
FAQs
What is the best side dish for curd rice?
If you ask my personal opinion, I would say mango pickle. You can take your favorite pickle and have it as a side dish for curd rice. If not pickle, papadam (papad) is the best choice to crunch on. Still unclear about what to eat with curd rice? You can try a simple vegetable salad or slices of onions and cucumber that suits your delicious curd rice.
What happens if we eat curd rice daily?
Curd rice can offer a bunch of benefits as mentioned above if you eat it regularly. As per a nutritionist, besides improving the gut health and digestive system, curd rice can also help in weight loss and preventing hypertension.
Are there any disadvantages of eating curd rice?
There are no particular disadvantages of eating curd rice. However, too much is too bad. Consuming large quantities of curd rice regularly may lead to indigestion and gas problems. Also, it may result in weight gain as the curd present in it is a high-calorie food. Therefore, eating curd rice in moderate amounts for either breakfast or lunch is recommended.
That’s it from my end. How did you find this curd rice recipe? Are you going to share this recipe if someone asks you how to make curd rice? Let me know.