Kollu Rice (Brown Lentil Rice)

Kollu Rice (Brown Lentil Rice)


Remember how excited I was when I found that I get kollu aka brown lentils aka horsegram in the place where I am? It is a shame that despite the availability I have barely included this super grain in our diet. I was watching a cookery show on the television and the intent of the program is to present healthy recipes. I saw this recipe on the show and slightly adapted it to my taste. I have used an ingredient which may not be very common. It is curry leaf powder. When I moved to this city curry leaves were not available and hence my mother-in-law used to wash, dry and roast some leaves and grind it with some black peppercorn. This powder usually lasts months and I add it to dishes of my choice. I have used that powder here but if you do not have it, you can always use fresh curry leaves and black pepper powder. I have also used ginger and garlic as it helps digest the outer layer of the lentil. Remember that brown lentil is extremely good for health and like all lentils it has low fat protein. More importantly it increases the body metabolism thereby helping weight loss. Including this lentil everyday or atleast every other day would be very beneficial for health. Here is an idea...

¼ cup brown lentil
1 cup cooked rice (measure does not refer to uncooked rice in this recipe)
4-5 baby onions/pearl onions
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
1-2 teaspoon curry leaf powder or substitute with 2 springs of curry leaves and ½ teaspoon pepper powder
Cooking oil
Salt

Rinse and soak brown lentil overnight. Boil the lentil until done

Heat some oil in a skillet and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and curry leaves (if using). Once the splutter add asafoetida and onions and ginger garlic paste. Cook until onions are done and raw ginger-garlic smell is gone.

Once onions are done, add brown lentil and fry for couple of minutes

Add salt, curry leaf powder or pepper powder (if using curry leaves) and mix the rice

Serve with a gravy or raita

To enhance the health benefits, you could make this dish with brown rice too.