Samak Rice Recipe | Vrat ke Chawal | Falahari Pulao

Samak Rice Recipe | Vrat ke Chawal | Falahari Pulao  is a fragrant and flavourful pulao recipe that takes this rice to an altogether different level, thus tempting you to gorge on this not just during fasts but also on non-fasting days. And yes, it's vegan as well as gluten-free too!

Using Sama rice during fasting is an age-old practice and our family has been using it too. But as they were made plain, basically, just boiled rice, therefore I was not a huge fan of it. But ever since I have started making Pulao with this rice the story has changed completely. Not only me, but the whole family loves it.

The addition of fried potatoes, cottage cheese and whole spices make it so fragrant. Once you start making it this way, then I am sure you will not wait for Navratras, Rather you will make it round the year.

Have you tried Sama Halwa? Tastes excellent just like that of semolina.

If you fast during Navratras, then do check my Navratra Recipes Collection.

 

What is Samak Rice

• Samak, also called Jungle rice, is actually a millet. It does not belong to the rice family and is a seed of grass and not cereal.
• Then why is it called rice?  Because the barnyard millet tastes almost similar to broken rice when cooked, it is called the “sanwa rice”. It does not cook into separate grains like long-grained rice.
• The millet is tiny, white, round grain, bigger in size than semolina (Rawa) and smaller than sago (Sabudana).
• Sama or Samak rice is known by different names in different regions.
  • In Maharashtra, it is known as Bhagar or Varai Rice
  • Shyama in Bengali,
  • Moraiyo in Gujarati,
  • Sanwa or Samvat ke Chawal or Swang ke Chawal  or Mordhan in Hindi,
  • Oodalu in Kannada, Kuthiraivolly in Tamil and
  • Udalu in Telugu and
  • Barnyard Millet in English.
• But I think the best is to call this as Vrat Ke Chawal or Rice used in Fasting.
• As cereal grains are prohibited during fasts, Sama rice is a healthy replacement for rice eaters.
• Also, we can make all those dishes with Sama rice which are made with rice like boiled rice, pulao, idli, halwa, kheer etc.
• How about having Millet Pizza, using Sama rice?

 

Benefits 

Sama, being a millet is full of benefits.

• It is rich in digestible fibres, minerals and vitamins and offers excellent nourishment.
• It is gluten-free. So it is very good for all who are allergic to gluten and cannot have wheat/semolina etc.
• It helps in reducing weight. How?  This is because, being fibre rich, it makes you feel fuller for a longer period of time thus reducing the food intake.
• It is low in glycemic index which makes it good for diabetics.

Seeing the benefits of Sama rice, don't you think that we should consume it round the year and not just during fasts?

 

Serving Suggestions

• During fasts
• Any day of the year, as it is quick to make and light on digestion.
• If looking for gluten-free recipes, then try this.
• A good option to pack it in the lunch box as you can enjoy it hot as well as at room temperature.

 

My Tips For The Perfect Outcome

• I have used whole spices, potatoes and cottage cheese in this pulao. You may add or omit anything depending upon what all you consume during fasts. This is because different people follow different diets in fasts.
• What is important is to follow the ratio of rice and water. I use 2.5 cups of water for every 1 cup of Samak rice. Just remember this ratio and make variations in pulao as per your liking and preferences. Use any cup but then use the same cup for measuring both the Sama rice as well as the water.
• Do not soak this rice for long. Soaking for just 15-20 minutes is sufficient.
• If making for non-fast days then you can add other vegetables like peas, beans etc.
• One thing more, it gets cooked very quickly, just 5 minutes. So, cook potatoes up to 90% before adding rice to them. Otherwise, potatoes will remain raw.
• Whole spices, green chilli and ginger give a very good aroma to this pulao. Lemon juice adds not only flavour but also helps in keeping the grains separated.
• Some people like to add cashews, almonds and raisins in the pulao. You may add these in the last and mix lightly. For this, first, saute cashews and almonds in little ghee and then add.
• I prefer adding roasted and crushed peanuts. Crunchy peanuts taste awesome in this pulao.

 

Why You Will Love This Recipe

1. It's a vegan recipe.
2. Also, gluten-free.
3. Easy and quick recipe.
4. Fragrant and flavourful.
5. Being a millet, full of health benefits.
6. Very filling and yet light on the digestive system.
7. Perfect ratio of rice and water.
8. Pulao is with separated grains and not mushy.
9. Can be eaten hot as well as at room temperature.
10. Its low glycemic index, makes it ideal for diabetics too.

 

 Step by Step Recipe

• Clean, wash and soak Sama rice.

 

• Chop potatoes and cottage cheese.

 

• In a pan, put clarified butter. When reasonably hot, add whole spices- bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, black cardamom.

• Put chopped potatoes.

 

• Cook on medium heat till 90% cooked and slightly brown in colour.
• Add cumin seeds, green chilli and ginger. (I forgot at this stage so added later)

 

• Add fried cottage cheese. I air-fried it in my air fryer.

 

• Keep soaked Sama rice in the colander for 20 to 30 seconds.

• Put the above rice in the pan.

 

• Saute on a medium flame for a minute or so.

 

• Add water and salt. Keep the flame high.

• After the first boil, reduce the flame to low and cover the pan.

 

• Cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove lid.
• Add lemon juice.

• Add roasted nuts and chopped Coriander.

• Serve with devotion, curd and green chutney optional. If desired, garnish with grated carrot, to add colour.

 

Sama Rice Pulao For Non-Fasting Days

This millet pulao is so delicious that you can have it during non-fasting days too. If making it for having without fasts, then add veggies like onion, peas, beans etc and you will have a sumptuous yet gluten-free vegetable pulao.

FAQs

 

Related Recipes that you may like to try:

• How to make non-sticky Sabudana 
• Vrat ka Halwa/ Samak Flour Halwa   
• Fruit Cream 
• Sago Pudding 
• Fruit Bowls   
• Petha Coconut Laddoos 
• Mango Yogurt

 

Let’s Connect

I hope you have liked this recipe for Sama Rice Pulao and will surely try it out for your loved ones. I will be happy if you share your creations on Instagram and tag me #samirasrecipediary there.

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Happy Fasting!