Overcooked rice is great for this recipe - I know that this may seem unintuitive but overcooked is great for this recipe! The rice for curd rice it is lightly so it melds with the yogurt so overcooked rice works perfectly for this recipe. Good quality yogurt makes a difference - Curd rice is fairly simple with just a few ingredients so it is important to choose a good quality yogurt which will make the yogurt rice taste extra creamy. Checkout Straus Family Creamery’s Whole Milk Greek Yogurt Plain which you can find in your local grocery store which is so thick and luscious and full of protein. Add more milk and yogurt the rice absorbs the liquid - The consistency of yogurt rice should be close to that of a porridge. It should have a high of of yogurt and milk ratio to the rice. What happens as the rice sits with the liquid is that it absorbs a lot of liquid, so make sure to add additional milk and yogurt in order to loosen the curd rice. Tadka makes the dish decadent - The tadka or spiced tempering adds levels of depth to this dish. Salting the yogurt is important - The biggest mistake folks make when making yogurt rice is not salting the rice and yogurt. It is so important to do this so you can taste all the other vibrant components that get layered in later!
Tadka for Curd Rice
Tadka, thalipu, chhonk, or tempering are all names for the flavor bomb created when spices are bloomed in a fat. The tadka is added to the dish which adds layers of depth and flavor. Here are the ingredients in my tadka and what they add to the dish…
Vegetable oil Fresh chilis - I love using freshly chopped Fresno or Thai chilis for heat in this recipe. You can alternatively use dried arbol chilis which is a more subtle heat. If you don’t like spice, use serranos, or remove the seeds from the chilis. Ginger - Freshly grated ginger is crucial to a delicious curd rice. The ginger has a peppery and fresh taste that perfumes the oil and the resulting rice. Curry Leaves - Curry leaves are an aromatic that is so hard to describe to someone who hasn’t tasted them. They make South Indian food taste like South Indian food. It is a deeply nutty, fresh, and earthy leaf that completely transforms the curd rice. Make a trip to your local Indian store to get a packet of these. Cumin Seeds - Whole cumin seeds are a nice warmth to the tadka Mustard Seeds - Mustard seeds add a complex earthiness and slight bitterness to the dish.
Curd Rice Inclusions
There are so many varieties and additions to make your curd rice special. Here are some of the most popular additions…
Pomegranate Seeds - Pomegranate seeds in the winter add a pop of color and fresh sweetness to the curd rice. Raw Mangoes - Pickled raw mangoes or pickled anything tastes amazing and adds a burst of acid to the creamy dish. Cucumbers - Diced cucumbers add crunch and freshness to curd rice Shredded carrots - Shredded carrots add a pop of color, slight sweetness, and an extra dose of veggies! Sour cream - If you are looking for an extra tangy and decadent curd rice, add a scoop of sour cream! Roasted Peanuts - Traditionally, split urud dal pieces are added to curd rice. However, I use freshly roasted peanuts which are easier to find, versatile, and add a bigger crunch.
What to eat with curd rice
Curd rice is one of those dishes that my mom would pack for lunch with side dishes to accompany it. It is the perfect dish that pairs with so many different side dishes. Here are some ideas for what you can pair with curd rice…
Mango, lime, or garlic pickle - Great way to add spice and tang to your curd rice Appalum, papad, or fryums - These Indian crunchy cracker that acts as a crunchy side. Potato fry - Who doesn’t love fiery masala coated potatoes to eat with a cooling curd rice. You can checkout the recipe for masala roasted potatoes here.
*This post is a sponsored post by Straus Family Creamery.
