Arisiyum (Arism) Paruppu Saatham (Dal Rice)

KonguNadu area in Tamilnadu where I hail from is known for its Kongu Tamil and each Kongu family has their very own recipe for Arisim Parupu Satham (Arisiyum Paruppum Saatham). It is a very simple dish made with ingredients that are readily available and has no complex flavors. It is a dish that we fall back on when we want a quick simple and nutritious meal but at the same time lazy to do much prep work. If I were Sherlock Holmes talking to Dr. Watson I would look at this dish and say "Elementary, Mr.Watson", learn this dish and the rest will just come - simple. This would have been my entry for Comfort Foods hosted by Revathi of En Ulagam.

If you are coming home from a long day of back breaking work, shopping, hiking or feeling just plain lazy and don't feel like eating Pizza, Chinese or going out you can easily whip up arisim paruppu saatham. When we don't get to eat Indian food for a long period of time this is what we invariably yearn for.



Ingredients
1. 1 1/2 Cups of Rice
2. 3/4 cup dal (moong or toor dal)
3. 4 Red chillies (broken in half and seeds taken out)
4. 1/2 Onion roughly chopped
5. 4 pods of garilc chopped
6. seasonings - mustard, cumin, curry leaves, methi seeds
7. 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
8. 1 tsp chicken masala powder or sambhar powder(optional)
9. 1 tsp oil, 1/w tsp



Method
1. Take a pressure cooker and heat the oil and ghee and add the seasonings, methi,cumin, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
2. When the mustard starts to pop add the red chillies and mix, add the chopped onion and fry till they turn slightly brown. Now add the garlic and saute a little bit.
3. Add turmeric powder (and the other powders) and mix.
4. Add the dal and mix for a minute or two.
5. Add the required amount of water and salt.
6. When the water starts to boil add the rice, chopped corriander
and close the lid and cook for the required time

Optional
Add chopped vegetables (carrots, beans, peas, potatooes) I usually add cut potatoes, the kids like the potatoes.

Serve with lemon pickle, vadakam and yogurt.