Ajwain Rice/Omam Sadam/Vaamu Annan

This was a staple breakfast rice for us in my mom's cooking back home. Whenever there was left over rice from night dinner, the next day morning amma used to either make pulihora or vaamu annam(Telugu). Here I cook fresh rice just for the purpose making this ajwain rice(Hindi). Mostly this rice is special for its medicinal effects. Turmeric purifies, Omam(Tamil) helps in digestion and reduces Flem, garlic removes gas and lowers cholesterol..

So with all those good qualities and not to mention good taste this is one rice to include in our menu once in a while. To cut the pungent flavour of ajwain this rice is best served with a dessert..usually Boondi laddu,Bombay or Tirunelveli halwa.

Ingredients :
4 Cups Cooked Raw Rice (Basmati, sona masoori or ponni)

for Tempering:
2 tsp Sesame oil
1 tsp Ajwain/Omam/Vaamu or Carom seeds
5 Red chillies broken into pieces
10- 12 Curry leaves
5 -6 Garlic pods beaten
1 Medium Onion cut into thin stripes
1/2 tsp Turmeric
Salt to taste
Procedure:
Heat oil in a Kadai(Wok), add Ajwain seeds and fry till they leave aroma.
Add red chillies, Wait a few seconds, add curry leaves and after the spluttering noise stops add garlic pods, fry a little.
Now add onions and fry them till they cook but still crunchy.
The onions should change color on the outer edges but still be pal from inside.
Add turmeric and fry till raw smell is gone.
Now add rice and salt and mix well for about 1-2 min, so that every morsel is evenly coated with the tempered seasoning.
Remove from heat and serve after 15 min for the rice to observe the flavours.

Serve by itself or with a choice of sweet.