Tomato Rice recipe is a South Indian dish which is a mixture of tomatoes and rice. This dish is a major part of South Indian cuisine and is very popular in states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka. Tomato rice recipe, also known as Thakkali Sadam in Tamil language.
In this dish, a mixture of tomato cooked with rice, which has a full flavor of spices and aroma. In curry leaves, coriander, hing, turmeric, chilli, and other spices used, which makes it tasty. Some people also add vegetables like onion, tomato, or cabbage to it, which improves its taste and texture.
This dish is usually made for lunch or dinner and can be eaten with curd, papad or pickle. Along with this, some people also like onion-tomato raita or curry.
Talking about rice, the best Basmati or Sona Masoori rice is used for Tomato Rice as their grains are different and give a different texture. The taste and aroma of these varieties of rice makes tomato rice even more delicious.
1.First of all, wash the Basmati rice with clean water until all dust is cleared from the rice. - Now soak in water for 10 minutes.
2. Take a pan and put oil in it, when the oil is hot, add ½ teaspoon mustard seeds in the hot oil and let them cook till they crackle.
3. After this add chopped onion and 2 to 3 whole cloves.
4. Add garlic paste, 1 chopped green chilli and fry the onion till golden brown. Keep frying until the smell of raw ginger-garlic goes away.
5. Now we have finely chopped tomatoes, but add ground spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, ½ tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin powder. - Add tomatoes to the spices and fry while stirring well.
6. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and the masala gets cooked and after some time oil starts leaving the sides. Stir frequently.
7. Add the soaked rice and stir to combine. Fry the rice for a minute so that it completely mixes with the roasted spices.
8. After this add 2 glasses of water.Now add salt as per your taste, then cover the lid.
9. Serve tomato rice with plain curd or raita and garnish with fresh coriander leaves for some added flavour.
To make tomato rice, add onion, garlic and ginger in oil and fry. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft. Add spices like turmeric, cumin and chili powder. Add rice and mix well. Add water or broth, bring to a boil, then simmer until rice is cooked. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot, perfect as a delicious side or main dish.
Rinse the rice with cold water until the water runs clear. Filter and keep aside.
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
Stir in chopped tomatoes. Cook for another 5 minutes until the tomatoes become soft and mushy.
Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and garnish with fresh coriander, if desired.
Servings 4
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Quality of rice: It is important to choose good quality rice, which is milled and free from insects. Basmati rice is more suitable for tomato rice as it has a nice aroma and comes with a deep flavour.
Drying Technique: If you have time, you can soak the rice beforehand. By soaking the rice in water for at least 30 minutes, it will cook faster and become more fluffy.
Covering during Cooking: When you are about to boil rice, take care to keep the lid of the pot covered. This prevents water from drying up quickly and rice cooks well.