Ellu Sadam or Sesame Rice is a traditional Karnataka dish especially made during festivals. In this dish cooked rice is mixed with a spicy powder made primarily using sesame seeds. Here is how to make Ellu Sadam (Step by Step).
Right since the aunty in my neighbourhood has introduced me to the dishes of Karnataka, I have grown a fond liking for them. I had recently made Bisi Bele Bhat Masala for preparing scrumptious and spicy rice dish.
But as you know, I had to try some more dishes. My neighbour was kind enough to even teach me Ellu Sadam or Sesame Rice Recipe.
What is Ellu?
Ellu is sesame seeds in Tamil and Karnataka and it is used to make variety of dishes in these states.
What is Ellu Sadam?
Ellu Sadam is basically rice cokked with sesame seeds and is a traditional Tamil and Kannadiga dish made especially during the festivals. It is even offered to the gods. Sankranti is celebrated with joy in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Ellu Sadam is certainly prepared on this day to add more cheer to the festivities.
Which rice is the best to make Ellu Sadam?
This recipe works well with any variety of rice. Since Sona Masuri is the preferred rice used in South Indian, you will find most people making this dish using Sona Masuri rice. You can choose any short grain rice to make this dish.
Even basmati Rice works well, like you can see in the picture 🙂
How to make Sesame Rice?
To make Sesame Rice Recipe, firstly, a dry powder is made by roasting sesame seeds and other spices. Then, this powder along with a tempering are added in cooked rice.
The ingredients are simple and can be easily found in your kitchen but the burst of flavours experienced by the combination is simply mind blowing. I have used white sesame to make this dish but you can also use black sesame seeds. Serve Ellu Sadam when it’s piping hot and let its subtle taste make your meals more appetising!
This Ellu Sadam recipe is great to make for lunch or dinner and what gives it it’s unique taste is the addition of white sesame seeds or ellu as it is popularly known. This rice recipe is really simple to make and can be a great lunch box option.
The use of sesame or ellu to make a smooth powder ensures that all the flavors of the dish come together beautifully. So why cook plain rice when you can treat your taste buds to this flavorful rice recipe.
Bookmark my utterly simple recipe for preparing Ellu Sadam Recipe, prepare it this weekend, as you have read, it won’t take much of your time. Also, do follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep receiving yummy, foodie updates, ladies!
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How to make Ellu Sadam Step by Step
Wash the rice and soak in 2-3 cups of water for half an hour. Drain the water and add the rice in a pan. Add 2 cups of water and cover the pan with a lid. Keep the pan on low heat and cook till all the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Cool for 5 minutes and then fluff the rice with a fork. Keep aside.
Dry roast all the ingredients to make sesame powder individually till browned and aromatic. Roasting chana dal.
Roasting urad dal
Sesame seeds
Now roasting peanuts
Roasting coconut
Ingredients cooling in plate
Grind in a blender to make a smooth powder. Add the powder in cooled rice and mix well.
Heat oil for tempering in a pan. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let them splatter. Add curry leaves. Pour the oil over the rice. Mix well.
Ellu Sadam Recipe
Ellu sadam
Ellu Sadam Recipe, Sesame Rice Recipe is a traditional Kannadiga dish made especially during the festivals and it is even offered to the gods.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rice
- 2 tsp Salt
For sesame powder
- 3 tbsp Chana Dal
- 3 tbsp Urad Dal
- 1/4 cup Sesame Seeds
- 3 tbsp Peanuts
- 5-6 Dry Red Chillies
- 2 tbsp Fresh Coconut Grated
- 1/4 tsp Hing
For tempering
- 3 tbsp Oil
- 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 10-12 Curry Leaves
Instructions
Wash the rice and soak in 2-3 cups of water for half an hour.
Drain the water and add the rice in a pan.
Add 2 cups of water and cover the pan with a lid.
Keep the pan on low heat and cook till all the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked.
Cool for 5 minutes and then fluff the rice with a fork.
Keep aside.
Dry roast all the ingredients except hing to make sesame powder individually till browned and aromatic.
Grind in a blender along with hing to make a smooth powder.
Add the powder in cooled rice and mix well.
Heat oil for tempering in a pan.
When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and let them splatter.
Add curry leaves.
Pour the oil over the rice.
Mix well.
Ellu sadam is ready. You can serve it either cold or warm it before serving.
Serve it along with some pickle and papad.
Recipe Notes
You can use leftover rice to make this recipe.
You can add more chillies if you like your rice hot.
Are you making this recipe? I LOVE to see your creations so snap a photo and tag Whiskaffair on Instagram with the hashtag #Whiskaffair and please give a star rating below ★. You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more such easy recipes.
Ellu Sadam is part of the endeavor to create a collection of recipes of Traditional Indian Cuisines in collaboration with a few bloggers who share the same passion of cooking. Find more Traditional Recipes from Karnataka by #TheKichenDivas
Mysore Rasam by SaffronTrails ( (http://saffrontrail.blogspot.in/ )
Ubattu by Sinamontales ( http://sinamontales.wordpress.com/ )
I am definitely going to try this rice preparation. Sounds like an exciting event. Maybe I’d join too.
Do give it a try and let me know how it came out for you. About the event, this year it’s just 5 of us who are doing it but may be next year we can invite bloggers to participate and come up with new and interesting recipes 🙂