Easy Tomato Rice – Perfect Lunch Recipe
A spoonful of fluffy grains with a boost of tomatoes is the comforting dish that you’ll ever try! Yes, this easy tomato rice is the one. This is a flavorful one-pot meal made with rice, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. It is a perfect dish to serve at lunch and dinner without the hustle, and it comes together in a few minutes. This recipe is so simple and beginner-friendly that anyone can make it for themself.
Table Of Contents
About Tomato Rice
In Hindi, tomato rice is called “tamatar ke chawal”. It also has many alternative names: Thakkali Sadam in Tamil Nadu, Tomato Bath in Karnataka, Tomato Annam in Andhra Pradesh, or Tomato Pulao, which is often used in simple Indian cuisine. But one thing is common, i.e., its tangy or delicious flavor.
This tomato rice is the most popular rice dish of South India, made with fresh tomatoes and basmati rice. Temper with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and with a crunch of nuts, especially roasted cashews. Seasoned with spices, turmeric powder, asafoetida, and garam masala powder. All together cooked in one pot, called tomato rice.
Sometimes in this dish, leftover cooked rice can also be used; later, other ingredients are added. But I try to make it in a simpler and healthier way than I used to cook in my everyday meals. This tomato pulao is similar to vegetable pulao. These two dishes are perfect for busy days or when you’re looking for a quick and simple meal.
This recipe is similar to how we make simple pulao at home. The only thing that made it different was that we increased the quantity of tomatoes here. At the end, when we prepare, nothing can beat its sweet and tangy flavor. When I prepared this for the first time, my family’s reaction was Wow! Literally, when you try this by yourself, your reactions would also be the same. So what are you waiting for? Try this at least once, and there is no need to say this.
Ingredients
Tomatoes- Use fresh red ripe tomatoes.
Rice- Any variety of rice: brown, long-grained, or short-grained rice can all be used. But long-grain basmati rice is probably good.
Tempering- Mustard and cumin seeds. I used both of them in equal proportion.
Onion- To increase the flavor, but it’s optional.
Ginger & garlic paste- For an extra burst of flavor.
Green chilies- Use for some heat and spiciness, or you can use red chili powder.
Coriander leaves- To create an aromatic flavor in the dish.
Seasoning- Turmeric powder and garam masala powder.
Salt- I used regular white salt here.
Oil- I used mustard oil, but any neutral oil can also be used.
How to make easy tomato rice
1. Take one cup of rice in a bowl and wash it in clean water two to three times. After that, soak it in water for 30 minutes.
2. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pressure cooker on medium heat. When the oil is heated, add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and 1/2 of mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
3. Add chopped onion to it. Sauté it until golden.
4. When the onions are golden, add 1 tsp of ginger and garlic paste. Sauté it for a few minutes.
5. Now add chopped tomatoes to it and saute until they are soft and mushy.
6. When they are half done, season spices: 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp of garam masala, and 1 tsp of salt. Mix well and saute them too.
7. When the tomatoes are soft, add soaked rice, chopped green chilies, and coriander leaves.
8. Pour 1.5 cups of water into it. 1.5 cups of water is enough for fluffy grains. If you want a mushy texture, then add 2 to 2.5 cups of water.
9. Mix all the ingredients well and cover the cooker lid.
10. Pressure cook it for 1 whistle on high heat. After 1 whistle, keep the flame low for 3-4 minutes, then turn the flame off.
11. When the pressure settles down, open the lid, and the easy tomato rice is cooked. Fluff gently and serve.
Serve this easy tomato rice with a bowl of yogurt, cucumber raita, or boondi raita. You can serve a glass of masala chaas or lassi to make it a complete lunch meal. Pickle and papad are also great accompaniments to this dish, or you can eat it without them, which also tastes delicious.
Pro Tips
- Soak the rice for at least 20 minutes for fluffy grains.
- For a fluffy texture, use a 1:1.5 ratio: for 1 cup of rice, you need 1.5 cups of water.
- If you want a tangy flavor, you can increase the quantity of tomatoes.
- For extra flavor, temper it with some curry leaves.
- You can adjust spices according to your taste preferences.
- Whole spices, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and green cardamom can also be added while tempering.
FAQS
1. Can I use leftover rice for tomato rice?
Yes, you can make tomato rice with leftover rice. But when the rice is cooked with spices they tastes better.
2. How to make easy tomato rice without it becoming mushy?
Use the rice-to-water ratio I mentioned in the tips section and avoid overcooking.
3. Is tomato rice spicy?
No, it is mild in taste because I have used minimal spices. But if you want spicy, then increase the amount of green chilies and spice to your taste.
4. Can I make easy tomato rice without onion and garlic?
Yes, you can skip the onion and garlic and make it with tomatoes, spices, and herbs. But they add an extra flavor to the dish.
5. How long can the tomato rice be stored?
It can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days in an air-tight container. But the tomato rice tastes best on the same day when cooked.
More rice recipes you can try:
Easy Tomato Rice – Perfect Lunch Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain basmati rice
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- 1½ cups water
Instructions
- Wash the rice in clean water and soak it for 20 minutes.
- Heat oil in a pressure cooker on medium heat.
- Add mustard and cumin seeds. Saute them till they splutter.
- Then add chopped onion and saute until golden.
- When onions are golden, add ginger and garlic paste. Saute it for a few seconds.
- After that add chopped tomatoes to it. Saute them till they are soft and mushy.
- When the tomatoes are half done, add turmeric powder, garam masala powder, and salt.
- Mix them and saute all together.
- When the tomatoes are completely soft, add the soaked rice, chopped green chilies, and coriander leaves.
- Pour 1.5 cups of water and mix well.
- Close the cooker lid and pressure cook for 1 whistle on high heat, then cook on low heat for 3-4 minutes, then turn off the flame.
- When the pressure is released, open the lid.
- Now gently fluff the rice and serve.
Notes
- Soak the rice for at least 20 minutes for fluffy grains.
- For a fluffy texture, use a 1:1.5 ratio: for 1 cup of rice, you need 1.5 cups of water.
- If you want a tangy flavor, you can increase the quantity of tomatoes.
- For extra flavor, temper it with some curry leaves.
- You can adjust spices according to your taste preferences.
- Whole spices, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and green cardamom can also be added while tempering.
