Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Tomato Rice

Tomato rice2

I had a day off from work today and not much to do around the house. With most of the chores having been taken care of over the weekend, I decided to spend some time reading. I settled into my favorite spot on the couch with one of the books that I’d borrowed from the local library a couple of days back. A few hours later, it was time for lunch and I had to put something together very fast before hunger took over and I began eating anything in sight. So, I decided to make something that was quick, simple and tasty, something that I make every now and then with leftover rice- tomato rice.

Considering the amount of rice we consume, I’m really surprised that I don’t have too many rice-based dishes (except for this and this) on this blog.

I have listed the ingredients for the recipe in the order in which I had used them. The list looks like a long one and it probably is, but most of them are just common seasoning ingredients and spices that are used almost daily in most South Indian kitchens.

Ingredients:
For seasoning:
3 Tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp urad dal
1 tsp chana dal
A pinch of asafoetida
1 stick cinnamon
2-3 bay leaves
¾ tsp powdered cloves
4-5 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped
½ inch piece ginger, grated
4-5 green chillies, finely chopped
A sprig of curry leaves

Other ingredients:
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 large tomatoes, cubed
3 Tbsp tomato paste
1 ½ tsp coriander powder
1 ½ sambar powder
4-5 cups, cooked rice
Salt as required

Method:
Heat ghee in a large pan. Add all the ingredients for seasoning followed by garlic, ginger and chillies. Fish out the cinnamon stick and the bay leaves.

Sauté onions, and then add tomatoes followed by coriander and sambar powders. Cover and cook till tomatoes turn mushy. Add the tomato paste and cook.

Add cooked rice to the pan and mix well. Serve hot with a raita or just plain yogurt, and pickle.


Tomato rice1

48 Burps:

Vani said...

Love the color and looks of the rice, TBC! Pix are fabulous :)

TBC said...

Wow! that was quick, Vani!
Thank you! :)

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

delicious tomato rice.. love it anytime. awesome pic...

Raks said...

I am much feeling like eating that tomato rice now!! Awesome!! Even my mom-in-law uses homemade sambhar powder in tomato rice!!

Lavanya Raj said...

Looks so Delicious! Beautifully Captured!

Raaga said...

I love the picture... yes, the list looks long, but we usually add all these things to the oil... just don't think about it that much :)

we make this very often... quick tasty and filling... need I say more?

Anonymous said...

Hi Budding Cook :)

You have a great blog..

The Tomato rice looks yummy and the snaps are fabulous.... honestly :)

Finla said...

A perfect meal to enjoy the day off.

FH said...

YUM YUM!! I haven't made Tomato rice in a long time. Photos look fabulous TBC, enjoy! :)

AnuSriram said...

Wow.. what a gr8 click! Lovely tomato rice.... Makes me drool here!

Laavanya said...

That looks awesome.. I love tomato rice but don't make it often because A is very finicky about how it should be... he wants a less-tomatoey version which still has some tang - hard to please so i rarely make it. Also because of the less tomato version, mine is more yellowish. Yours looks so vibrant.

Sakshi said...

Yummy...I love tomato rice too but never added sambar powder to it...will try ur version now...u click fab picks

Arundathi said...

LOVE tomato rice! lovely photos!

amna said...

I make it this way when i am not too lazy. Otherwise i have a super quick version. TH doesn't know the difference either ways!

A_and_N said...

I love, love mixed rices, you know? I can eat them forever!

Great pics too, TBC!

Chutneytales said...

Your tomato rice made me drool for it..Love this rice for its tangy taste.As usual the pics are GREAT!

Anonymous said...

Delicious! I made this tonight for dinner and it was very very good. Scattered fresh herbs over the top - basil, mint and parsley - a real treat.

Anonymous said...

A twist in the dish I prepare though.... :) of course looks yummy..... :)))))
Love this..... with the onion dipped in chilli paste.....!!!!!!!

Vrinda said...

Nice pic looks yummy and spicy..

Vaishali said...

Tomato rice is one of my go-to recipes for a quick dinner or when I have just a few minutes to think of a brown-bag lunch.
My version is more basic, though-- I don't use cinnamon, ginger and garlic. I love the idea of adding those ingredients, though, and I will definitely try it your way the next time. It looks delicious.

Ranjani said...

Pretty!!

Anonymous said...

I always appreciate new and interesting rice recipes. This one is clearly a winner.

Anonymous said...

Looks very colorful. Isn't it relaxing to have a day off in between? I was looking for a good tomato rice recipe and glad to have found yours.

Sakshi said...

Amazing tempting pics...tomato rice is my all time fave but ur recipe asking for sambar powder is new to me sounds interesting...will try for sure :)

Rajitha said...

yum! you know what i am gong to make tomato rice soon adn post it with a lil bit of a twist...the pics are looking great...gotta get some tips from you soon

Cynthia said...

Your photographs are gorgeous. That rice just jumps off the screen.

TBC said...


Mahimaa, Raks, Lavi & Raaga- thank you! :D

Nimmy- welcome to my blog. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.:)

Happy Cook, Asha & Anu- thank you.:)

Laavanya- thanks! I make a couple of different versions of this rice. I think its red color is maily due to the tomato paste I used.:)

Sakshi- I don't add sambar powder every time I make it...depends on my mood. ;-)
But it does give the rice a nice flavor.:)

Arundathi- thank you! :)

Nags- this is too elaborate for ya? ;-) I would like to see your quick version. I'm all for spending as little time as possible in the kitchen.:)

A & N- I feel the same way about dosas.:D... and thank you.

Madhumathi- thank you.:)

G- it's so nice to see you here! How have you been?
You tried my recipe? Thank you so much for letting me know. I'm so glad to hear that you liked it too. :)

Spicencook- onion dipped in chilli paste? in this recipe? :D

Vrinda- thanks.

Vaishali- I too make this when I want to put together something rather quickly. It's usually for my lunch dabba.:)

Ranjani, Lisa & RedChillies- thank you.:)

Sakshi- hello again.:) Do let me know if you try it.

Rajitha! yay! you're back! Will you be disappearing again?
You like my pics? thanks! I'm no expert but I'll see what I can do if you continue being nice to me.;-)

Cynthia- thank you. I feel the same way about most of your pics!:)

Unknown said...

Comfort food! Lovely picture.

Cate said...

Rice is always a big hit in this house, and yours looks delicious!

Uj said...

Loved the pic.. The ingredient list seems to be too long but the dish is really simple to make.Hubby loves tomato rice..Will try making this for him :)

Anonymous said...

The tomato rice looks so inviting!

Thanks for stopping by my blog...I hope to start blogging this July or so, once this crazy semester is over and I return from a trip to India.

Meanwhile, I wanted to thank you for the cornmeal dosa recipe (from your archives). Just made it this morning and it was quick and tasty (and a great way to use up the cornmeal languishing in my freezer).

Unknown said...

I make tomato rice very often,but a diff recipe.
love the colour and spices next time i make rice i'll using your reicpe. looks yum.

vandana rajesh said...

Love tomato rice. Find it a quick and delicious meal idea. In fact, made tomato rice a few days back. Nice blog.

Anonymous said...

Nice presentation!

Cris said...

Hi TBC! This looks great to do with leftover rice... it looks soo good!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous color! I love to flavor of green chillies especially in Tomato rice.

Just call me 'A' said...

hmmmm i love tomato rice. I have a version which is my mom's recipe and it's so yummy. It has lesser spices and non of the dals but ohhh so flavorful...
seems like i've been away from your blog for too long. so many new recipes.

PS: I have a crepe story and recipe too...will share it soon.

Unknown said...

That is mouthwatering....voillaaa....definitely trying this one....

zlamushka said...

HI TBC,
this trully looks amazing, so full of colors and flavors. Nice post, thanks :-)

tacosalad said...

Now that is some pretty food!

Anonymous said...

That looks so perfect and yummy! I can almost taste the tanginess :)

Rajitha said...

buddingji..kahan hain aap :)

Anonymous said...

i like the post a lot.i would also like to add this tip to cook tomatoes faster.add a pinch of sugar while boiling tomatoes and see the magic.
more such tips and details on my blog too.have a look:
http://www.everydaytips4you.blogspot.com

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

that pic can is yummmmm.....I am sure so is the real thing.....but that pic, i swear, is mouthwatering!

TBC said...

Moi- how was the move? So you're in PA now, huh? :D

TBC said...

Sailaja- thank you.

SowmyaRam said...

thanks for the recepie.I will prepare it today

TBC said...

Sowmya- you are welcome. Hope you like it. :)

Post a Comment

I'm glad you're here! Thanks for stopping by.