Sugar-Free Tamarind Rice

Experience the tangy and flavorful delight of Sugar-Free Tamarind Rice, a wholesome South Indian classic reimagined for healthy eating. This vibrant dish combines the aromatic richness of tamarind paste with tempered spices like mustard seeds, curry leaves, and hing (asafoetida), all sizzled in heart-healthy sesame oil. Without any added sugar, the natural tanginess of tamarind takes center stage, perfectly balanced by the crunch of roasted peanuts and golden-brown dals. Ideal for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner, this dish is simple to prepare with pre-cooked rice, making it an easy yet exotic addition to your mealtime routine. Serve it warm with crispy papad or cooling coconut chutney for a traditional twist. Perfect for those seeking a sugar-free, vegetarian, and flavor-packed meal option!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cooked rice
• 2 tablespoons Tamarind paste
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tablespoons Sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
• 10 leaves Curry leaves
• 2 pieces Dry red chilies
• 1 teaspoon Urad dal (split black gram)
• 1 teaspoon Chana dal (split Bengal gram)
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Hing (asafoetida)
• 2 tablespoons Roasted peanuts
• 1 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

Make sure the cooked rice is fluffy and cooled, ideally made a few hours prior or the night before for the best texture.

Step 2

In a small bowl, dilute the tamarind paste with 1 cup of water and set aside.

Step 3

Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat.

Step 4

Add mustard seeds to the hot oil and let them splutter.

Step 5

Add the curry leaves, dry red chilies (broken into halves), urad dal, and chana dal. Sauté until the dals turn golden brown.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the turmeric powder and hing (asafoetida).

Step 7

Pour the diluted tamarind paste into the pan and bring it to a simmer.

Step 8

Add salt and continue to simmer for 6–8 minutes or until the mixture thickens slightly and all raw tamarind smell is gone.

Step 9

Add the cooked rice to the tamarind mixture, gently mixing until the rice is evenly coated with the tamarind sauce.

Step 10

Stir in the roasted peanuts and cook for an additional 2 minutes to combine flavors.

Step 11

Turn off the heat and let the tamarind rice rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Serve warm with papad or coconut chutney if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(731.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	995.2

Total Fat 40.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2385.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 139.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.3g	0%
Total Sugars 19.3g
Protein 18.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 127.1mg	0%
Iron 7.6mg	0%
Potassium 693.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.4%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 56.1%