Thengai sadam or South Indian coconut rice is probably one of my favourite mixed rice dishes. I had it the first time at my sister’s in-law’s place around the time her wedding got fixed. Amma had never made it before at home (even though we were in the land of the coconuts!) but after that day, this became an occasional treat at home. Its really a simple rice dish and something you can whip up in 10-15 mins if you have cooked rice ready.
If you love South Indian rice recipes as much as we do, then check out this tangy lemon rice recipe, super simple sambar sadam in rice cooker, and this deliciously different cabbage rice recipe.
Thengai Sadam Recipe
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
Cooked rice : 4 cups
Grated coconut – 1 cup (frozen works too)
Salt – to taste
For spice powder:
Chana dal / kadala paruppu – 1 tbsp
Urad dal / uzhunnu parippu – 1 tbsp
Dry red chillies – 2 to 3
For tempering:
Coconut oil – 1 tbsp (or any oil you have in hand)
Chana dal / kadala paruppu – 1 tsp
Hing / asafoetida / perungaayam
Dry red chillies – 1, halved
Curry leaves – a few
For garnishing:
3 crushed appalam / papadom (optional)
How to make Coconut Rice:
1. Dry roast the ingredients for spice powder until the dals turn golden and the red chillies are nicely browned.
2. Cool and powder coarsely with salt.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add ingredients for tempering along with the coconut. When it turns golden brown, remove from fire.
4. Add the roasted coconut mixture and the spice mixture to the cooked rice and mix well. Adjust salt.
5. Add crushed fried appalam or papadom before serving.
Hey Nags…looks wonderful as always.I dint know abt the spice powder bit…i make it without this.This i sumtng new i learnt…thanks for sharing:)
I have never cooked thenga saadam but had once in a south indian wedding. The taste was quite bland and sweet. Your version looks spicy and ofcourse mouth watering. I love the idea of crsuhed aplam to along with. I always do it for rasam saadam.
One of my all time favorites! I’ve never tried it with crushed appalam, though. Will have to try that next time!
Loved the fried pappadum pieces in the rice….We prepare this in a different way..
looks delicious! Never tried out with powder! I too am thinking, if I can contribute something!
Liked the addition of adding papadams to the rice. Give a subtle crunch to the rice.
Ur coconut rice is quiet different , love the masala and papad on top!
love thenga saadam, mmm… looks very delicious, nice pictures with step by step information, you really dedicate yourself with blogging, good for people who learn from scratch.
I love thenga sadam! I made it today! But it is slightly different because I didn’t have the spice powder! My daughter had this for lunch with appalam (well, coincidence). Liked your version! I going to try this for sure! 🙂
Yum yum, looks so tasty!