Rice dishes are usually one of the simplest to make and cook up fast. They are easily prepared in large portions, frozen and also stored at the fridge. This widely available grain is used in tons of different dishes and offers a diverse range of flavours too. It goes without saying that a recipe for a dish would not be complete without it. The fact that it is an extremely low calorie food also adds to its popularity among people. Rice dishes can either be eaten plain or enhanced to have a unique taste.
There are many varieties of rice dishes that are very popular in India. Some of these include Paneer, Bhel Puri, Chana Masala and Sambar. The word "Palachan" is derived from the Sanskrit language and literally means "wild rice". In the earlier times, this staple food was the favourite of royalty. However, with the passage of time it has been used by common people and is now one of the most popular Indian staples.
Frying a rice is a very old tradition that goes back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. The first recipe for fried rice that was recorded in Sanskrit is believed to be from the palace of King Solomon in the 11th century BC. This recipe is commonly referred to as "Chana Din ka Meen", which literally means "ordering from the king". Today it is considered to be a part of the Indian cuisine and is one of the most popular dishes.
There are a few types of rice dishes that are very popular in India. The first one is "Chana Dalmas", which means "ordering vegetables in water". This is mainly cooked either with onions or vegetables (pork or beans) and consists of steamed peas. "Bay" is another form of "Chana Dalmas" and this time it is cooked with beans (shuba) and is very similar to the "Chana Din Ka Meen".
There is also "Arroz Moi" and this is a rice dish which is prepared using chickpeas. Chickpeas are split and they have black spots in them. They are cooked quickly in oil and they go through a process of "blackening". Once blackened, these black spots go away and the leaves become cooked. The taste of "Arroz Moi" is bitter and it is not nutritious. The other type is "Arroz Picnic" and it is cooked with rice, picota, egg, cheese and salt.
In the mid Zanibar period, "Kheer" and "Achaar" were two famous varieties of rice-based sweets. The "Achaar Bake" was considered to be a delicacy in all circles of the Indian society and it was available only in the royal palaces in the Indian subcontinent. They are available in the market in different forms such as "Achaar Cheesecake" and "Achaar Murg" and in even more refined forms like "Achaar Kaju Katli". But the best thing about these sweets is that they are made of rice and the ingredients are simple and they are available all over India.
In the Punjab state, there is a popular dish called "Laxmi Pooja". This dish includes black gram (boiled lentils), milk, curd, puffed rice, dried mint and roasted gram flour. This dish has a delicious flavor and it is prepared with the right combination of these ingredients. The ingredients are mixed inside a clay vessel which is placed in an iron container. The steam is allowed to permeate through the clay vessel and then the meal is cooked on a tilak.
Another famous dish made of rice flour is "Chutney". This dish is made of finely chopped green and red peppers along with chopped onions, coriander leaves and few spices like turmeric and red chili powder. These vegetables are cooked in slight oil and spices like cumin, ginger, mustard seeds and garlic are roasted on a stove. Green chillies are sprinkled on top and finally served along with rice.