The southern state of Thamizh Nadu is well known for its flavoured rice, the most popular being tamarind rice and lemon rice. There are several others including coconut rice, sesame rice, peanut rice and mango rice, to name a few.
There is a festival in Thamizh Nadu called Aadi Perukku that normally falls in the months of July/August. The offeratory for this festival is variety rice – different types. Families make these various types of rice and carry them on a picnic to the banks of the Kaveri River. Several families make 8-9 different kinds of rice, the only mandatory one being sweet rice.
These rice are normally served with potato roast and various kinds of crisps. I normally stick to three kinds of rice for the festival as otherwise, it might become an overload of carbs.
These rice are often served to unexpected guests as they are very easy to put together.
Though I have grown up with these, potato rice is an unusual dish for me.

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked rice or 2 1/2 cups cooked rice
2 medium sized potatoes cut into medium sized chunks
1 medium sized onion, sliced thin
1/2” piece ginger
A few mint leaves, chopped fine
1 green chili, slit
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp red chilli powder
A pinch of turmeric powder (haldi powder, manjal podi)
Unrefined salt to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 bay leaf (tej patta, brinji elai)
3 green cardamoms (elaichi, elakkai)
4 cloves (laung, kirambu)
1” piece cinnamon (dalchini, pattai)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (sabut jeera, jeeragam)
1 star anise (chakraphool, annasi poo)
1 strand mace (javithri, jathipattri)
Method
Cook the rice, if using raw rice
As the rice is cooking, wash and dice the potatoes
Set aside
Heat a wok and add the whole spices
When they begin to splutter (1 minute), add the onion, ginger and green chili
Saute till the onions turn translucent
Drain the potatoes and add them to the wok
Cook till tender, sprinkling a little water, if necessary (8-9 minutes)
Add chili powder, salt, turmeric powder, mint and garam masala
Turn off the flame
Add the cooked rice and squeeze the lemon juice
Mix well
Serve hot with a raita and/or mixed vegetable curry and crisps
Enjoy!