Recipe: Sama Pulao
Sama Pulao is a simple, healthy, filling, one pot meal that is generally prepared during the Hindu Fasting Days like Navratri, Ekadashi, Ram Navmi, etc. Sama, samak chawal, moriyo, barnyard millet is widely used during fasting. Though the name has the word millet it is not a true millet. Actually it is a grass seed much like quinoa but smaller.
How Come We Can Eat Barnyard Millet During Fasting And Not The Other Millets?
Barnyard millet, sama is not a true millet. It is a variety of grass, whose seeds we consume. The scientific name is Echinochloa esculenta. Other varieties of millets are classified as grains.
Why Include Barnyard Millet In Your Diet?
- Firstly it is gluten free.
- easy to digest
- rich in fiber
- low glycemic index, making it an ideal grain for diabetics
- low in calories
- high in iron and phosphorus.
Sharing Sama Pulao With Sunday Funday
This Sunday’s theme is One Dish| Pot Meals suggested by Amy. For most Indian homes a one pot or one dish meal is khichdi, comforting, filling and easy to make. This time I decided to share a light but filling pulao made using barnyard millet. With a bit of yogurt on the side, this dish is light on the stomach and perfect not only for fasting days but whenever your stomach calls for a light meal.
Some Sama | Barnyard Millet Recipes On My Blog
One Dish | Pot Meals
One Dish| Pot Meals By Members of Sunday Funday
- Bean and Kielbasa Stew by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Korean Style Beef Short Ribs with Bok Choy by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Pečena Piletine Sa Rižom (Baked Chicken & Rice) by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
- Roast Chicken, Bacon and Cauliflower Bolognese by Food Lust People Love
- Sama Pulao by Mayuri’s Jikoni
- Sukhi Roti Ki Khichdi by Sneha’s Recipe
Ingredients Required For Sama Pulao
Sama
Also known as samak chawal, samo, vrat ka chawal, moriyo, barnyard millet, Japanese millet. Easily available in all Indian Stores and online on Amazon. I source my sama from Patel Marche in Montreal.
Water
Enough water for soaking and cooking the barnyard millet.
Ghee
Generally for fasting days, ghee is ideally used. However, for a vegan version you could use olive, sunflower, peanut oil. Do not use canola, mustard oil, corn oil, etc. If not preparing for a fasting day use any oil of your choice.
Carrot
As I had prepared this one pot meal for a fasting day, I have used only carrot and potato. If you want to make sama pulao on non fasting days you can include veggies of your choice like peas, corn, onion, beans, etc. Peel and dice the carrot. Don’t cut the carrot into too large or too small pieces.
Potato
Peel and dice the potato, same size as the carrot.
Cinnamon Stick
One inch cinnamon stick to add a subtle flavour to the pulao.
Peppercorns
Need about 6-8 peppercorns. Again, adds a subtle flavour to the pulao.
Cloves
3-4 pieces of whole clove. Adds a lovely fragrance and flavour to the pulao.
Cumin Seeds
Also known as jeera, jiru. Adds an earthy flavour to the pulao.
Curry Leaves
Optional ingredient. I like to add some for the fragrance and flavour.
Rock Salt
For fasting days rock salt of sendha namak is used. Do not use iodized salt. Sendha namak is easily available in all Indian Stores. Use any salt of your choice for non fasting days.
Cashew Nuts
I like to add a generous amount of cashew nuts to the pulao. Cut the cashew nuts into halves.
Raisins
Adds a slightly sweetish flavour to the pulao. Omit if you or the family doesn’t like them.
Green Chilli
We will be using green chilli paste. Add according to your taste.
Fresh Ginger
We will be using the paste. Can also grate the ginger.
Fresh Coriander
For flavour and garnishing.
Watch How To Make Sama Pulao And Farali Kadhi
SAMA PULAO | MORIYO PULAO
Ingredients
- 1 cup sama chawal
- 2 cups normal water
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 3-4 cloves
- 6-8 peppercorns
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- ½ cup carrot peeled and diced
- ½ cup potato peeled and diced
- 1 tsp sendha namak rock salt
- 12 cashew nuts cut into halves
- 1 tbsp raisins
- 1 tsp green chilli paste
- 1 tsp fresh ginger paste
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash sama or Barnyard Millet in some water, gently rubbing the grains to remove any dirt. Repeat 3-4 times.
- Add 2 cups of water to the washed sama. Allow it to soak for 20-30 minutes.
- In the meantime, peel and dice the carrot and potato. The quantity given is a rough guidance.
- Cut the cashew nuts into halves.
- Heat ghee or oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
- Add cinnamon stick, cloves and peppercorns.
- As they begin to sizzle add the cumin seeds.
- Also add the curry leaves and cashew nuts.
- Stir fry for a minute.
- Add the diced potato and carrot. Also add the chilli and ginger pastes.
- Stir fry for one minute.
- Add the soaked sama along with the water. Also add salt.
- Mix well.
- Cover the pan with a lid. Lower the heat.
- Allow the pulao to cook for 20 minutes.
- Open the lid and stir occasionally so that the water does not over boil.
- If there is a little water left, doesn't matter. As the pulao cools, it will disappear.
- The sama grains should appear separate much like quinoa.
- Serve hot sama pulao with some plain yogurt or farali kadhi. Check the video for the recipe.
Notes
- If you are making sama pulao for a non fasting day then add vegetables of your choice - corn, peas, green beans, etc.
- Use any oil of your choice when making it on a non fasting day.
- Add peanuts instead of cashew nuts.
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