Tomato Rice/ Tomato Bhath

Tomato rice is one simple rice item from South India especially from Bangalore & Mysore region. This naturally colored rice can be made spicy or less spicy as per taste and which is a quick to make lunch box idea as well. It was introduced to me by my roommates when I was living in Mysore. This flavorful rice can be served with raita/ thick curds or as it is.

Now let us go through the recipe of making medium spiced tomato rice.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:

Rice (Sona Masoori) – 2 cups

Tomatoes – 4 (medium)

Onions – 1 (medium)

Cinnamon – ¼ inch piece

Cloves – 3

Star anise – 1

Cardamom – 1 or 2

Pepper – 8

Garlic cloves – 6

Green chilli – 1 (optional)

Bay leaf – 1

Salt – 1.5 tsp, as per taste

Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp

Sugar – 1 tsp

Oil – 2 tbsp

Coriander leaves – 2 tsp, finely chopped (for garnishing)

Water – 4 - 4.5 cups, I usually prefer soft cooked rice 

Method:

• Peel onions, wash, cut ¼ ^th of it and keep aside.
• Chop/ slice rest ¾ of onions finely and set aside.
• Wash tomatoes, chop roughly.
• Now take chopped tomatoes, ¼ onion, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, peeled garlic cloves, star anise, pepper (all spices except bay leaf) in a mixer jar and make smooth puree of it.
• Wash rice clean, drain water completely and keep it ready.
• Now heat a pressure cooker with oil. Add bay leaf, Slit green chilli and saute couple of times.
• Add chopped or sliced onions to it and fry until translucent.
• When done, add tomato puree. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes. Add Turmeric powder, salt and washed rice. Add 4 cups of water or as required cooking the rice that you use.
• Mix everything well once, close the lid. Cook for 3 whistles.
• Allow pressure to settle down. Once done, open the lid, add chopped fresh coriander leaves, mix once and serve hot with curds, salad, papad or with raita.

Notes:

• You can optionally add vegetables of choice and green peas while making this rice to make it more nutritious.
• Spice level can be adjusted according to your taste.
• Measurement of water will be little lesser than regular pulao as tomato is pureed here.