This ellodharai aka ellu podi sadam is a simple, comforting, and flavorful South Indian rice dish with fragrant sesame spice powder and rice.
About this ellodharai
Ellu sadam, ellodharai, or black sesame seed rice is a special we make during the Purattasi month (Tamil calendar month, mid September to mid October). The Saturday is in that month are considered auspicious for god Vishnu and we make it as a neivedhyam on these days using the black sesame seeds. If you happen to go to Vishnu temple on these Saturdays, maybe you'll get this rice as a prasadham. We have the tradition to make this rice, ellu urundai (sesame seed balls or chikkis), and ellu podi (powdered sweet) during this month. Some people do Maavilaku for Purattasi Saturday.
Sesame seeds are very healthy. It is a good source of vitamin E and hence good for the skin. It is used widely all over the world. This nutritious nutty seed is used in many sweets and savories. Whether it is added to savories or made into sweet balls or topped in bread or in salads - it is one of my favorite. It is rich in oil and foods cooked with this oil are extra delicious. Make this rice using sesame oil for extra aroma and flavor, and you won't regret it.
This rice is simple and comforting. you ca serve it as a meal and as side.
Sesame provides warmth and hence this rice could be a great option for cold winter months. Because of its color, you could make this for Halloween too! Makes a great side for your Halloween Party!
Now that you have the recipe here, you need not wait for the next year's Purattasi Saturday but can relish this simple dish any day.
Ingredients
You will need simple ingredients from your pantry to make this comforting ellodharai aka black sesame seed rice:
Rice - This recipe uses Sona Masoori rice. Basmati rice or any rice will work in this recipe ecept sticky rice.
Salt - gives flavor
Red Chilies - adds spicy heat. Adjust as per your taste.
Whole black pepper - enhances the spicy flavor.A little adds lots of flavor.
Black sesame seeds - gives, flavor, color in addition to proteins and fiber. These are rich in calcium and iron too. Traditional, we make this rice with the black sesame seeds. However, you can use the white sesame too. The color of the rice will be different, yet flavors remain the same.
Sesame oil - enhances the sesame flavor
Mustard seeds, red chili, curry leaves, split urad dhal, and asafetida - A simple tempering of these in sesame oil adds an extra layer of aroma and flavor to the simple rice.
Serving Suggestions
This black sesame seed rice or ellodharai is great to serve at room temperature. Therefore it is a great make ahead option for any day, family get to gethers etc. This recipe can easily serve eight as a side. You can serve this warm too.
This is a great option to make for festival days like Purattasi Saturday, Navratri etc. However, this is also great for any day too. Especially, in cold months, this is a great option as sesame adds warmth keeping you in good health while providing nourishment.
When I make it a simple and easy meal, I serve with some simple curry like beans or this avarekkai curry. Instead you could serve this with some roasted sweet potatoes or potatoes too. Additionally, a fried papad would pair the best!
Storage
If any leftovers, store the ellodharai in the refrigerator. Warm in microwave and serve.
More Sesame Recipes
Brown Sugar Sesame Barided Bread
More Halloween recipes
Cranberry/Vampire Blood Pani Puri
More Rice Recipes
Rice recipes are easier and here are a few that you can make for a crowd to serve as a side.
Cooking with Rice
- Apple Pecan Brown Rice Salad from Audrey Humaciu
- Forgotten Chicken from Art of Natural Living
- Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf from Creative Cynchronicity
- Quick One Pot Red Beans and Rice from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
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Ellodharai (Ellu Sadam)/ Black Sesame Seed Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rice
- 1 tsp Salt
To Roast and Grind
- ¼ cup Sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp Urad dhal
- 7 or 8 Black peppercorns
- 3 or 4 Dried red chillies
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp Sesame oil
Seasoning (optional)
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- 1 Dried red chilli
- ½ tsp Mustard seeds
- ½ tsp Split urad dhal
- ⅛ tsp Asafoetida
- 1 sprig Curry leaves
- ½ tsp Sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Cook rice and allow it to cool on a big plate by spreading. Also add 1 tbsp of sesame oil, to prevent the grains from sticking.
- In a pan, heat sesame oil. Add red chillies, black pepper, and urad dhal. Fry till it turns light brown and then add the seasme seeds. Make sure you have a medium flame since the seeds splutter. Once the sesame seeds are roasted (the nutty aroma will tell you that it is roasted), switch off the flame and cool it. After it is cool, add salt and grind to a coarse powder.
- Heat oil and add the mustard seeds. When it splutters add split urad dhal asafoetida, and curry leaves, fry until golden and add it to the rice.
- Add the whole powder to the rice and mix it thoroughly.
- Serve as such but a fried appalam or vadam (pappadums), or chips.
Inger says
I'm always looking for a new side--this looks so tasty!
magicalingrdnts says
You bet! You will love the simple flavors. Thanks Inger.
Christie says
I love all things sesame seed related! This is definitely going on the menu. I even have black sesame seeds!
magicalingrdnts says
I recommend you to try this immediately! You will love this rice. Thanks Christie.