Pulihora

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Pulihora or Puliyodhara or Chitrannam is a very common preparation in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Indian cuisine. Puli means sour taste. Pulihora can also be referred as sour rice. It is also known as tamarind rice or lemon rice. In the North coastal part of Andhra Pradesh, viz., Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts, people used to call it Saddi but younger generations may not know this name.

In the districts of Andhra Pradesh it is considered as the poor man's festival food, It is given as prasadam in temples and the taste of pulihora will be ultimately delicious and tasty, at temples devotees after darshan of the god will line in Que to get pulihora, The festival of SeethaRama Kalyanam is one big occasion where the huge packets of pulihora is distributed to the devotees.

Usually the ready mix of pulihora is available but may not taste that good as home made.

In Karnataka, it is referred as Puliyogare usually the puliyogare mix (like MTR Puliyogare mix)is available at all Indian stores and the same can be used but for the real taste of it you have to get it prepared at home.

In Tamil Nadu, it is called "puliyodharai". The preparation is still the same as below.

[edit] Recipe

First Cook rice such that it is cooked properly.
Now heat the required quantity of oil to which add red chillies, Bengal gram, black gram, mustard seeds, groundnuts and don't forget Curry leaves
Add Turmeric powder may be a little more will give you good color to the food
After the added content is heated properly Add tamarind and/or lemon juice
let the soup of tamrind boil till you get more viscous liquid
Add Salt to your taste.
Also Add little bit of Jaggery. (This is Suggested because, too much of Sour and Spicy taste can damage the Tastebuds in the long run.)
once the paste is ready spread the rice in a wide plate or steel basin the cooked rice shall be cooled and separated to grain level now you can mix your viscous liquid and mix properly.
Wait at least for an hour for the liquid to get absorbed by the rice and now check the salt if required add little.
This can be served at the picnics and parties.
The paste or viscous liquid can be stored for days together and used as a ready mix.

Pulihora tastes sour, spicy hot and salty at the same time. It is considered to be a good stimulant for a dead tongue. It is easy and inexpensive to cook and is a good stomach filler.

Hindus consider turmeric powder as a symbol of auspiciousness, this dish is therefore cooked for almost all good occasions and during festive days. It is also distributed in temples under the name of Prasad. Other version's of pulihara is made with Un-ripe sour Mangoes, sour pomegranate and Lemon.