Tomato Rice (தக்காளி சாதம்)

Well, today seems to be 'tomato' day! I wish to share one more tomato recipe with you — ‘Tomato Rice’ (தக்காளி சாதம்). There are of course different methods of making tomato rice and this recipe is the most popular one at my home. Tomato is a low calorie vegetable that is rich in vitamins A, C, and B-complex, potassium and anti-oxidants. Tomatoes are integral part of Indian cuisine. They can be used to make salad, juice, soup, kootu, mixed rice and pachadi; and are also used extensively in gravies and curries. Tomato rice is spicy, albeit with the underlying tangy taste of tomatoes. I get best results with ‘country tomatoes’ (நாட்டுத் தக்காளி) than the hybrid variety.

Ingredients: (Serves three)

Raw rice - 1½ tumblers or 300ml measure

Tomatoes – medium sized, 7-8 no, cubed

Onions – 2 no, chopped

Green peas – shelled, ½ teacup

Oil – 1 tablespoon

Gingelly oil/ sesame oil – 1 tablespoon

Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon

Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder – 3 teaspoons

Red chilli powder – ½ -1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
Sambar powder – 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon

Salt – to taste

Coriander leaves – chopped, 1 tablespoon

Curry leaves – a few

Tomato Rice (தக்காளி சாதம்) served with cucumber raitha

Method: Heat oil in a handi or a pressure pan, add mustard and cumin seeds, and when they start to sputter, add chopped onions. Fry till they start to brown. Now add tomatoes and green peas. Cover and cook on low flame till tomatoes become pulpy. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, sambar powder and red chilli powder. Mix well. Wash rice well and add to the handi. Add 3¼ tumblers (650ml) of water and salt. Mix well. Cover and cook on medium flame for 5 minutes or 5 whistles. Once the pressure subsides, open the lid, add gingelly oil and mix the ingredients well. Garnish with curry leaves and coriander leaves. Serve hot with pachadi and pappad. 

If you like this post, please share it with your friends, followers or contacts, by just clicking the 'Face book', 'Twitter', ‘Pinterest’ or 'Google +’ icons you see below the post. Feel free to post your comment/ feedback. Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you!