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Lilva Rice | Gujarati Fresh Vaal Rice | Surti Papdi Rice |
Tarla Dalal
01 March, 2017
Table of Content
Lilva Rice | Gujarati Fresh Vaal Rice | Surti Papdi Rice |
Lilva Rice, also known as Gujarati Fresh Vaal Rice or Surti Papdi Rice, is a seasonal delicacy that truly captures the essence of winter in Western India, particularly Gujarat. This fragrant and flavorful rice dish leverages the unique taste of fresh vaal (hyacinth beans or Surti papdi seeds), which are available for a limited three to four-month window each year. It's a testament to how seasonal ingredients are celebrated in Indian cuisine, transforming a simple rice preparation into a deeply satisfying and aromatic meal.
The foundation of this exquisite rice dish is 1½ cups of rice (chawal), thoroughly washed and drained, combined with 1 cup of surti papdi seeds (fresh vaal seeds). The cooking process begins by heating 2 tbsp of ghee in a deep non-stick pan, infusing the base with its rich, nutty aroma. Whole spices, specifically 2 sticks of cinnamon (dalchini) and 2 cloves (laung / lavang), are then added and sautéed for about 30 seconds. This step is crucial for tempering the ghee and allowing the whole spices to release their warm, fragrant oils.
What truly elevates the Lilva Rice is the vibrant green masala paste. This aromatic blend is made by grinding together 1/2 cup of chopped coriander (dhania), 4 green chillies (adjust to desired spice level), 1 tsp of grated ginger (adrak), and 1/2 tbsp of lemon juice. An optional, but highly recommended, addition is 1/4 cup of fresh green garlic (hara lehsun), which imparts a pungent and distinctive freshness to the paste, characteristic of Gujarati winter cooking. A tablespoon of water is used to facilitate grinding into a smooth paste.
After the whole spices have bloomed in ghee, the washed rice is added to the pan, mixed well, and sautéed for 2 more minutes. This light toasting of the rice helps in achieving a better texture in the final dish. Following this, the star ingredients – the fresh vaal seeds – along with the prepared green masala paste and salt to taste are added. 4 cups of warm water are then poured in, and the mixture is gently combined.
The rice is then covered with a lid and cooked on a medium flame for approximately 10 minutes, with occasional stirring. This allows the rice and vaal to cook perfectly, absorbing all the aromatic flavors from the green masala and the whole spices. The gentle stirring ensures that the rice cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
The finished Lilva Rice is truly a culinary delight, with its fresh green beans, long-grained rice, and aromatic green herbs cooked to perfection. It's traditionally served hot with kadhi, a tangy yogurt-based curry, which provides a wonderful contrast to the savory rice. For those who crave this delicious green masala when lilva is out of season, a note suggests a clever substitution: making this rice with cauliflower and green peas instead, ensuring the spirit of the dish can be enjoyed year-round.
Tags
Preparation Time
10 Mins
Cooking Time
13 Mins
Total Time
23 Mins
Makes
6 servings
Ingredients
for Lilva Rice
1 cup surti papdi seeds (fresh vaal seeds)
1 1/2 cups rice (chawal) , washed and drained
2 tbsp ghee
2 sticks cinnamon (dalchini)
salt to taste
To Be Ground Into A Smooth Paste (using 1 Tbsp Of Water)
1/2 cup chopped coriander (dhania)
1 tsp grated ginger (adrak)
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh green garlic (hara lehsun) , optional
For Serving
Method
for Lilva Rice
- Heat the ghee in a deep non-stick pan, add the cinnamon and cloves and sauté on a medium flame for 30 seconds.
- Add the rice, mix well and sauté on a medium flame for 2 more minutes.
- Add the vaal, prepared paste, salt and 4 cups of warm water and mix gently. Cover with a lid and cook on a medium flame for 10 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot with kadhi.
Lilva Rice | Gujarati Fresh Vaal Rice | Surti Papdi Rice | Video by Tarla Dalal
Lilva Rice ( Gujarati Recipe) recipe with step by step photos
Nutrient values (Abbrv)per plate
| Energy | 194 cal |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33.7 g |
| Fiber | 2.3 g |
| Fat | 4.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 20.6 mg |
Click here to view Calories for Lilva Rice ( Gujarati Recipe)
The Nutrient info is complete
Gandhi Dhwani
Sept. 16, 2021, 5:42 p.m.
Lilva rice is totally what i was looking for... The coriander paste adds a distinctive taste to the rice...It tastes different from the regular ones we have.. Hot kadhi and this rice makes an amazing combo..
Shainaaz
Sept. 16, 2016, 4:35 p.m.
Will try it.
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