Tomato Rice is an all time delicacy that we always enjoy. The ingredients required for this are available in our pantry and refridgerator everyday. It`s always a quick fix rice dish that I make quite often.  The tomato rice that amma used to make was more simple, but over the years, I have rehashed it to make it a lot more flavourful and ambient with multiple tastes. I am not sure if there is an official recipe for tomato rice, but this one works very well for me.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups of Basmati Rice cooked in 31/2 cups of water and cooled.

Thinly sliced garlic out of 5 pods.

Thinly sliced ginger.

5-6 Vertically sliced green chillies.

5 ripe tomatoes sliced in to long pieces. (I gently scoop out the seeds and water from the tomatoes to keep it dry)

1 red onion sliced in to long pieces.

1/2 spoon of red chilli powder.

Salt

Turmeric & Hing a pinch.

Seasoning:

Mustard, Urad Dhal, 2 spoons of Jeera , Cashew pieces sliced, Curry Leaves.

PREPARATION:

• I gently pry out the water and seeds from the tomatoes so it cooks faster without the excess water. Save the scoopings for rasam or soup.

• In a wide mouthed kadai, add 2-3 spoons of oil and when hot, add urad dhal, jeera, cashew slices, mustard seeds and curry leaves.

• Immediately add the chillies, garlic and ginger and saute for a few seconds. Now add the onions and saute for 3-4 mins till well done.

• Now add the sliced tomatoes, salt, red chilli powder, turmeric and hing and saute well till all the water is cooked out and the mixture becomes homogenous.
• Switch off the gas and after a few minutes, carefully add the cooked and cooled rice and mix gently so the rice does not break.

• Garnish with lemon juice and dry coconut powder. Believe me, the seasonings will render a unique taste and aroma to your tomato rice.