Tempered Rice | Thalicha Sadam

Tempered Rice also known as Thalicha Sadam in Tamil, is a simple and flavorful rice dish made by tossing cooked rice with tempered spices, onions, and basic pantry staples. This is a great way to turn leftover rice into a quick and satisfying meal. With its mild spice and flavorful tempering, this rice makes a simple yet tasty meal. It’s a quick, everyday dish that works well for busy mornings or lazy evenings.

This is one of those recipes you can make when you’re short on time but still want something warm and satisfying. It’s ready in minutes and doesn’t need any fancy ingredients – just your regular pantry staples. The crunch from onions and the flavor of spices make it hard to resist. This is also a kid-friendly recipe. You can make it milder by reducing the spice or leave out the green chili if needed. 

Jump to:

• About Tempered Rice
• Tempered Rice Ingredients
• How to make Tempered Rice Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving and Storage
• FAQS
• 📖 Recipe Card

About Tempered Rice

Tempered Rice is South Indian style stir-fried rice that gets its flavor from tempered spices like mustard seeds, cumin, and curry leaves. It’s usually made using leftover rice, making it a smart way to reduce food waste while still enjoying a fresh, hot meal.

This recipe is also very customizable – you can add cooked vegetables or even leftover poriyal to make it more wholesome. Adjust spice levels according to your taste preference. It’s an easy recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.

Tempered Rice is perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a simple meal. It has no grinding or complicated steps – just a quick stir-fry, and it’s ready to enjoy. Whether cooking for yourself or your family, this easy recipe is a must one to have on hand. It’s simple, quick, and full of flavor – just what you need for a fuss-free meal. 

This is one of my go-to recipes when I’m not in the mood to cook anything elaborate. I just toss in what I have, and it turns out comforting every single time. It reminds me of those easy after-school meals Amma used to make.

Tempered Rice Ingredients

• Cooked rice – Use leftover rice for best results. Make sure it’s cooled completely, so the rice stays separate or it turns mushy when tossed.
• Oil – Used for tempering. You can use groundnut oil or gingerly oil or any oil of your choice.
• Mustard seeds, Urad dal – Add a aroma when they crackle in hot oil and give a light crunch while eating.
• Cumin seeds, Hing – Adds a warm flavor to the dish. Hing gives a subtle aroma and aids digestion.
• Green chili, Curry leaves – Slit green chili gives gentle heat, while curry leaves bring a classic South Indian aroma and freshness. 
• Turmeric powder – This is one of the main ingredient that adds bright yellow color and flavor to this rice dish.
• Onion – Use finely chopped onion. Adds a mild sweetness and crunch.
• Red chili powder, Sambar powder – Red chili powder for spice and sambar powder for taste. You can adjust spice levels as per your preference.

Why This Recipe Works

• This is an easy and quick to make recipe under 20 minutes.
• It’s a great way to use up leftover rice.
• This recipe is made with simple, easy pantry ingredients.
• It’s easy customizable with vegetables and other spices.
• It’s a mildly spiced and kid-friendly dish.

Similar Recipes

• Lemon Rice
• Coconut Rice
• Curd Rice
• Raw Mango Rice
• Carrot Rice

How to make Tempered Rice Step by Step

1.Keep your left over rice ready. In a pan heat oil – add the items listed under ‘to temper’ let it splutter. Then add turmeric powder, hing and red chili powder and mix well.

2.Then add chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Add sambar powder (I forgot to add in the previous step so added it at this stage). Add required salt.

3.Saute for a minute until onions turn slightly soft. Then add cooked rice and give a quick toss.

Serve hot with papad.

Expert Tips

• Soft onions – Just sauté them until they turn soft. Don’t brown them as this keeps the flavor light and mild.
• Spice level – You can adjust the masala to suit your taste preference. You can add some more chilies if you like it spicy or reduce for a milder version.
• Tempering – Let the mustard seeds splutter fully before adding other ingredients. It brings out the full flavor and also adds a nice aroma.
• Vegetable – You can add in cooked vegetables like peas, carrot, or beans to make it as simple veggie rice.
• Add nuts – You can try adding nuts for extra crunch. You can add peanuts, cashews or any of your choice.
• Flavor boost – Add crushed garlic while sautéing or mixed herbs. It makes the dish even more flavorful.

Serving and Storage

Serve hot or warm. You can pair it with any curry, kootu, or even just plain curd and papad. It’s a light and satisfying dish that works well as a lunch or dinner option.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for about a day. Reheat before serving.

FAQS

1.Can I skip onions?

Yes, you can. Or you can use spring onions or a little garlic for a different flavour.

2.What can I serve it with?

Tastes great with curd, pickle, papad or any simple South Indian curry or kootu.

3.What type of rice works best?

Any regular white rice like ponni, sona masoori, or even basmati if you prefer.

4.Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, it’s completely plant-based. 

5.Can I use ghee instead of oil?

Yes, ghee adds a nice flavour. Kids usually love it with ghee.

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📖 Recipe Card