Monday, August 29, 2011

Sri Ganesha Chaturti Prasaadams - Anaasa Annam - Pineapple Rice

ANAASA ANNAM

                                                 

Ganesha's most favoured fruits are kapitta ( Wood apple ), Jambu(Rose Apple ), Aamra phalam (Mangoes), Kadali phalam (bananas), Daadimi phalam ( pomoegranate) and Bahunetra phalam or Anaasa phalam ( pineapple).
Ganesha is Beejapooraphalaasakta - The one who loves the fruit Citron (Narthampazham in Tamil and Heralekai in kannada ). A delicious Kalanda Saadam / Chitraanna can be prepared using the juice of this fruit.
But here is a rice dish prepared with another favourite fruit of Lord Ganesha -  the pineapple fruit.

INGREDIENT

Basmati rice - 1 cup
Chopped pineapple - 1 cup
Red chillies - 2
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Coriander seeds - 2 tsps
Bengal gram dal - 2  tsps
Fresh coconut gratings - 4  tbsps
Turmeric powder - 1 pinch
Salt - 3/4 tsp
Crushed jaggery 3/4 tsp
Oil - 2 tbsps
Mustard seeds - 1 pinch
Ghee - 1 tbsps
Cashew nuts - a few
Raisins - a few 
Fresh chopped coriander leaves - 1 tbsp

METHOD

1. Wash and drain basmati rice and allow it to soak for half an hour.
2. Dry roast bengal gram dal, coriander seeds , cumin seeds and red chillies till you get a pleasant aroma.
3. Grind the roasted ingredients with fresh coconut gratings and turmeric powder into a smooth  paste adding little water.
4. Peel and chop pineapple and its core into cubes.
5. Heat oil in a kadai and add mustard seeds.
6. When the mustard seeds splutter add pineapple and the ground paste and saute for a couple of minutes.


                                                 

7. Add the soaked rice and fry, coating the rice with the paste till it starts sticking to the kadai.


                                                  


                                                  

8. Add salt, jaggery and two cups of water to the fried rice.


                                                  

9. When it starts boiling, stir well , cover and cook on low flame for ten minutes.
10. Open the lid, stir once more and replace the lid.
11. Cook for another ten minutes until all the water is absorbed or the Anaasa Annam is done and sprinkle the chopped fresh coriander leaves.

                                                 

Fry cashew nuts and raisins in ghee and garnish the Anaasa Annam  before offering it to Sri Ganesha. Enjoy the flavoursome prasaadam.

                                                  

 THANK YOU FOR  ALL THE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT
                               
                                                  

WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY GANESHA

CHATURTI