1. Soak tamarind in warm water. Set aside.
2. Heat 1/2 tsp of oil in a pan. Roast semiya to golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. Heat rest of the oil, temper with the above ingredients.
4. Extract tamarind water (about 3 cups) and add it to the tampered ingredients.
5. Add salt, turmeric powder,pepper powder and let the tamarind water boil for 10 minutes till the raw smell is gone.
6. Add roasted semiya now and continue heating till it is cooked well.

Note:If you add excess tamarind water, then semiya pulihora might become mushy. So add just the right amount (just like you would add water for regular semiya upma).

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Courtesy: http://spicesetc.blogspot.com/