Miriyala Annam - Pepper Flavored Rice

This exotic spice with a sharp,pungent woody aroma and flavor when cooked for too long ,loses its flavor and aroma ,so adding it towards the end of the cooking will help preserve its flavor.To bring out the sharp flavor of black pepper,I prepared Miriyala Annam or Pepper Flavored Rice with pepper being the main ingredient and curry leaves and seasame seeds were used to offset the heat of black pepper.Hints of the aromatic flavor of curry leaves, mild nutty taste of seasame seeds and the sharp flavor of pepper blended into the rice giving it an irresistable authentic flavor.

Miriyala Annam

(Pepper Flavoured Rice)

Ingredients:

3 cups of cooked white rice

(each grain should be separate)1

1/2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)

1 tsp cumin seeds

3/4 tsp mustard seeds1

1/2 tbsp black pepper corns1

1/2 tbsp seasame seeds10-12 curry leaves

(fresh leaves only)s

alt to tasteDry roast the black pepper corns,sesame seeds and curry leaves in a pan for a few minutes on medium heat tossing them around till the flavors come out and you find a nice aroma emanates the kitchen.Once the seasame seeds change color you can turn off the heat and make a coarse powder.Heat ghee in a pan and add the mustard seeds and let them pop.Add the cumin seeds and let them brown.Add the cooked rice and combine it with the tempering.Now add the ground spice pwd and salt and combine the rice with it such that the spices coat the rice well.The full flavor of the pepper is obtained on freshly ground pepper corns which enhances the taste of the rice giving it a sharper, more lively flavor than the pre-ground pepper powder and also by adding it towards the end of the cooking process which further enhances its taste.Serve hot with any gravy curry or plain rasam ,appadam(papad) and curds

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