Verkadalai Sadam | Peanut Rice

Simple, aromatic, and packed with nutty goodness, Verkadalai Sadam (Peanut Rice) is a quintessential South Indian comfort food. This quick and flavorful mixed rice variety combines perfectly cooked rice with a blend of roasted peanuts, spices, and herbs, creating a meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare. Whether you’re looking for a lunchbox recipe or a delicious way to use leftover rice, Verkadalai Sadam is a go-to option that doesn’t compromise on taste.

Peanuts, or verkadalai as they are called in Tamil, are rich in protein, healthy fats, and a unique earthy flavor. In this dish,  peanuts are roasted  along with red chillies, sesame seeds, grated coconut and urad dal and ground into a coarse powder, which is then sautéed with tempering ingredients like mustard seeds, curry leaves, and red chilies.This flavor-packed mixture is tossed with steamed rice, resulting in a dish that’s fragrant, mildly spicy, and irresistibly nutty.

What makes Peanut Rice special is its versatility. It’s naturally vegetarian and can easily be adapted for vegan diets. Pair it with a side of papad, coconut chutney, potato fry or a simple raita, and you have a wholesome meal ready in minutes. It’s also a great dish for festive occasions like Tamil Puthandu or Navaratri, as it embodies the simplicity and vibrancy of South Indian cuisine.

In this blog post, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide to making Verkadalai Sadam at home. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is foolproof and guaranteed to become a family favorite. So grab those pantry staples, and let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

Cooked rice -1 1/2 -2 cups

Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp

Groundnuts-1/4-1/2 cup

Curry leaves few

Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
Salt-to taste
Oil-3 Tsps 

Masala Powder

Urad dal-1 Tbsp 

Groundnut-1/4 cup

Red chillies-6-8 nos

Sesame seeds (til)-1 tsp

Grated coconut-1/2 cup

Recipe Video 

Method

👉Saute the ingredients given under masala powder in a Tsp of oil until nice golden brown colour , cool and then powder it coarsely, set aside.

👉Heat oil in a kadai add mustard seed, curry leaves and groundnuts and saute until the groundnuts are done.

👉Add turmeric powder and required salt mix well sauté for few seconds.

👉Add the cooked rice mix everything together well.

👉Now add the powdered masala and mix well with the rice and continue to cook for 5 mins.

👉Switch off the gas and serve.

Preparation time-20 mins

Serves-4