Tomato Rice Recipe
Tomato Rice is a South Indian dish made by cooking rice with sautéed tomatoes, onions, and spices. It’s a flavorful one-pot meal, often garnished with fresh coriander, and pairs well with raita or pickles.
Ingredients
For Cooking Rice:
- 1 Cup Basmati rice (or regular rice)
- 2 Cup Water
- Salt to taste
For Tomato Masala:
- 2 tablespoon Oil (or ghee)
- 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon Urad dal (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Chana dal (optional)
- 1 Dried red chili
- 10-12 Curry leaves
- 1 Onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 Tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2 Green chilies, slit
- 1 teaspoon Ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon Garam masala
- Salt to taste
- ¼ Cup Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the Rice
Rinse the Rice
- First things first! Rinse 1 cup of Basmati rice under cold water. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. This helps wash away the extra starch, making sure your rice won't be sticky!
Cook the Rice
- Now, take a pot and add the rinsed rice, 2 cups of water, and a pinch of salt. Bring it to a boil.
- Once it's boiling, lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- When done, fluff it with a fork so the rice is nice and fluffy! Then, set it aside to cool.
Prepare the Tomato Masala
Heat the Oil
- Grab a large pan and heat up 2 tablespoons of oil (or ghee if you like it extra rich!) over medium heat.
Temper the Spices
- When the oil is hot, toss in 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon urad dal, and 1 tablespoon chana dal.
- Sauté these until the dals turn a golden brown color.
Add the Aromatics
- Now, add 1 dried red chili and 10-12 curry leaves. Stir them for about 30 seconds until they smell amazing!
Cook the Onion
- Add in the finely chopped onion and cook it until it becomes translucent (about 4-5 minutes). You’ll know it’s ready when it turns soft and a little golden.
Add Ginger-Garlic Paste
- Stir in 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute to get rid of the raw smell. This gives the masala a rich flavor!
Add Tomatoes & Spices
- Toss in your finely chopped tomatoes, 2 slit green chilies, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Let this cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring now and then, until the tomatoes are soft and mushy!
Add Garam Masala
- When the tomatoes are cooked down and the oil starts to separate, stir in ½ teaspoon garam masala. This is the magic ingredient!
Combine Rice with Tomato Masala
Mix the Rice & Tomato Masala
- Time to bring it all together! Gently add the cooked rice into the tomato masala. Toss and mix carefully, so the rice gets coated with all that yummy tomato goodness. Don’t break the grains!
Garnish
- Once everything is mixed, turn off the heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. It adds a fresh, green pop!
Serve
Serve and Enjoy
- Now, you’re ready to serve your delicious Tomato Rice recipe!
- Enjoy it hot with papad, raita, or a side salad for a perfect meal!
Notes
Variations and Creative Twists on Tomato Rice
1. Spicy Tomato Rice: If you love heat, add more green chilies, ginger, and red chili powder. In addition, smoky red chilies or a dash of smoked paprika can take the flavor to the next level! 2. Tomato Rice with Coconut: Alternatively, try adding grated coconut to the masala! This is popular in Karnataka or Kerala, where coconut gives the dish a creamy texture and balances the tangy tomatoes. As a result, the flavor becomes a bit milder and richer. 3. Tomato Rice with Paneer: Another key point is to add cubes of paneer. Not only does it make the dish more filling, but also it turns into a one-pot meal with a protein-packed punch. This is a great option for vegetarians! 4. Tomato Rice with Vegetables: For one thing, you can make a veggie version by adding peas, carrots, and beans. In effect, this adds color and nutrition, turning your dish into a complete, healthy meal!Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Tomato Rice
1. Balancing Flavors: As can be seen, tomatoes bring acidity, which can sometimes overpower the dish. To balance this, add a pinch of sugar to mellow the tartness. Furthermore, adding curry leaves at the end enhances the aroma and flavor profile, making it even more fragrant! 2. Choosing the Right Tomatoes: To begin with, use ripe, firm tomatoes for the best flavor. As a matter of fact, ripe tomatoes give the rice a deep, rich taste. Moreover, avoid overly soft or green tomatoes for the best results. 3. Avoiding Mushy Rice: Before mixing with the tomato masala, slightly undercook the rice. In other words, let it remain a little firm as it will cook further when combined. Thus, you’ll avoid mushy rice and get perfect grains. After all, texture is key!Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Tomato Rice Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
602
% Daily Value*
Fat
30
g
46
%
Saturated Fat
5
g
31
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
10
g
Sodium
10
mg
0
%
Potassium
1000
mg
29
%
Carbohydrates
105
g
35
%
Fiber
12
g
50
%
Sugar
8
g
9
%
Protein
24
g
48
%
Vitamin A
1000
IU
20
%
Vitamin B1
0.2
mg
13
%
Vitamin B2
0.1
mg
6
%
Vitamin B3
2
mg
10
%
Vitamin B5
0.5
mg
5
%
Vitamin B6
0.3
mg
15
%
Vitamin C
69
mg
84
%
Vitamin E
1
mg
7
%
Vitamin K
310
µg
295
%
Calcium
50
mg
5
%
Iron
8
mg
44
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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