Kothimeera Pulihora/Coriander Leaves Tamarind Rice

My little lunch box recipe. My Mom used to pluck some fresh coriander leaves from the garden of my house and prepare Kothimeera Pulihora/Coriander Leaves Tamarind Rice for my lunch box. I love this recipe. Simple but lot of flavors. Freshness from Coriander leaves, Sourness from tamarind and spiciness from chillies with little crunchy dals/Lentils.

Ingredients:

• Kothimeera/Coriander leaves - 1 bunch
• Rice - 1.5 cups
• Green chillies - 5
• Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Avalu/Mustard seeds - 1 tsp 
• Senagapappu/Chana dal - 1 tbsp
• Menapappu/Toor dal - 1 tbsp
• Ground nuts - 2 tbsp
• Red chillies - 3
• Tamarind pulp - 3 tbsp or Lemon - 1 (Adjust as per taste)
• Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste.
• Oil - 4 Tbsp

Preparation:

• Wash and cook rice. For 1.5 cups rice use 3 cups water.
• Grind coriander leaves and chillies into paste.
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chana dal, toor dal, ground nuts and red chillies and fry till mustard seeds splatter and dals turn golden brown.
• Add turmeric powder, tamarind and coriander leaves paste, salt and fry till there is no  raw smell and oil oozes out. 
• Mix cooked rice gently without breaking it and adjust salt and serve.
• If using lemon juice add it finally after switching the stove off.