Doddapatre Soppina Chitranna which refers to the Indian Thyme Rice is a healthy rice dish made with Thyme leaves or Ajwain and spice paste.
Thyme leaves are called as Doddapatre Soppu in Kannada. This herb has medicinal properties well known for curing skin allergies, rashes and helpful in fighting a dry cough. And it is also easy to cook and include in our meals.
The leaves are sauteed and ground as a paste with spices. This makes it easy to prepare a Chitrannam and it surely makes a wonderful lunch box dish. I adapted this recipe from here. This dish is surely a wonderful one to have on your menu.
We used to have this Karpooravalli or Omavalli or Vamu plant many years ago, and we have been trying to grow it back. However, it dries up each time. So when I had to make this, I requested my colleague to get me some. Even then I stored it in the fridge, the leaves had frostbite. I still went ahead and made with the leaves. The spice paste turned out so good!
I took it for my lunch and all my colleagues enjoyed it as well. Some of them didn’t know about this way of preparation, even though they have the plant. So they will be making it soon.
Doddapatre Soppina Chitranna is my choice for D in the AtoZ Biryani/Pulao/Khichdi Festival that's happening for the April Mega Marathon, where I have opted to make 26 Rice dishes. If you are interested to know what I am doing for D in C4AS, go ahead check it out!
A to Z Biryani/Pulao/Khichadi Festival!
A for Amritsari Wadi ki Biryani
B for Badshahi Pulao
C for Chak Angouba
PIN This for Later!
Step By Step Pictures for making Doddapatre Soppina Chitranna
Doddapatre Soppina Chitranna | How to make Spiced Indian Thyme Rice
Ingredients Needed:
For the ground paste:
10 to 12 Indian Thyme Leaves / Doddapatre
3/4 tsp Cumin Seeds / Jeera
1 tsp Chana Dal
1 tsp Urad Dal
1/2 cup Copra / Dry Coconut, grated
5 to 6 Dry Red Chillies
For the Rice Tempering
1.5 cups Rice
2 tsp Cooking oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1/2 tsp Chana Dal
1/2 tsp Urad Dal
A Pinch Asafoetida /Hing
1 tbsp Peanuts roasted
6 to 7 Cashew Nuts
1 sprig Curry leaves
Salt to taste
How to make the Chitrannam:
For the Rice
Wash and soak the rice for 20 mins. Cook the rice in your regular method.
Spread and dry the cooked rice before mixing with the herb paste.
For the paste:
Heat oil in a kadai and add urad dal, chana dal, cumin, red chilies, thyme leaves. Roast all on a slow flame, then add the copra and mix well. Transfer to a plate and let it cool down.
Next grind to a smooth paste with water. Keep it aside.
For making the Chitrannam:
Heat oil in a nonstick pan, add mustard, once it starts spluttering add the chana, urad dal, groundnuts, cashew nuts, curry leaves, and hing. Fry for a few minutes.
Now add the ground paste and fry for a minute. Let the mix get well cooked.
Mix in the cooked rice, sprinkle some salt and mix until everything is well incorporated.
Serve with papad.
Doddapatre Soppina Chitranna | How to make Spiced Indian Thyme Rice
Ingredients
For the Ground Paste
- 10 - 12 Indian Thyme Leaves / Doddapatre
- 3/4 tsp Cumin Seeds / Jeera
- 1 tsp Chana Dal
- 1 tsp Urad Dal
- 1/2 cup Copra / Dry Coconut, grated
- 5 - 6 Dry Red Chillies
For the Rice Tempering
- 1.5 cups Rice
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/2 tsp Chana Dal
- 1/2 tsp Urad Dal
- A pinch Asafoetida / Hing
- 1 tbsp Peanuts roasted
- 6 - 7 Cashew Nuts
- 1 sprig Curry Leaves
- Salt to taste
Instructions
For the Rice
- Wash and soak the rice for 20 mins. Cook the rice in your regular method.
- Spread and dry the cooked rice before mixing with the herb paste.
For the Paste
- Heat cooking oil in a kadai and add urad dal, chana dal, cumin, red chilies, cleaned thyme leaves. Roast all on a slow flame, then add the copra and mix well. Transfer to a plate and let it cool down.
- Next, grind to a smooth paste with water. Keep it aside.
For making the Chitrannam
- Heat cooking oil in a nonstick pan, add mustard, once it starts spluttering add the chana, urad dal, groundnuts, cashew nuts, curry leaves, and hing. Fry for a few minutes.
- Now, add the ground paste and fry for a minute. Let the mix get well cooked.
- Mix in the cooked rice, sprinkle some salt and mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Serve with papad.
[inlinkz_linkup id=817855 mode=1]
Suma Gandlur says
My mother always has a pot of doodapatre growing in her home. The herb works wonders to ward off cold / coughs in infants. I love it's tambuli and so can imagine how flavorful this chitranna would be. The use of copra was a surprise factor. Was expecting the usual fresh coconut.
vaishalisabnani says
Are Ajwani ke patte the Indian thyme leaves ? I have not heard about these leaves and find the rice very interesting . The typical south tempering is delicious on its own , the use of this paste must have made the rice flavourful .
gayathriraani says
I didn't know that this is called as the Indian thyme. I love the flavor of these leaves so much and there is a plant at home. Will make this rice for her. I usually end up making chutney everytime.
Sowmya:) says
I love the ground paste mixed with rice dishes. They make it so flavorful and delicious. Now I will hunt for these leaves and make myself a batch right away!!
Sushma Pinjala says
Aren't those Ajwain leaves Valli? The dish must be so flavorful with those herbs. Good one
srividhya says
I did know karpuravalli is called as thyme. This is an interesting recipe. I am bookmarking it to try. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Pavani says
That looks so flavourful and delicious! I love how the ground paste is mixed with the rice dish! Lovely share!
harini says
Amazing use of the Vaamu aaku, Valli. I have made bajjis but this rise is a must try. I hope I can source these leaves. Bookmarked.
Srivalli says
Yes Vaishali, these are thyme leaves and we use it in different ways, including bajjis..:)
Kalyani says
Oh I have this plant growing abundantly here, and will make this soon ! we only make raita and bajjis with the leaves.. the chitranna looks so flavourful, had never heard of it..
Sharmila Kingsly says
Even i have ajwain leaves in house have tried making bajji and soup but this chitranna is simply delicious idea.. Will try soon!!
Preeti says
Looks so delicious... I always wonder with your recipes and research work.. love the flavors of thyme and nuts.
Renu Agrawal Dongre says
This looks similar to Ajwain leaves to me. is that the same? Love how this dish is made using a paste from the leaves.
Srivalli says
Renu I didn't realize I skipped giving the different names. Yes this is Ajwain leaves
Renu Agrawal Dongre says
Ah thank you, then this is on my to do list, If I am able to grow them.
FoodTrails says
Rice with ajwain leaves paste sound so flavourful.. will love to try it when I get Ajwain leaves. Can this be tried with the thyme leaves??