How To Prepare Tasty Tomato Rice Recipe

Tomato rice is a popular dish in many cuisines, particularly in South Indian and Mediterranean cooking. It is a flavorful rice dish made with cooked rice and a tomato-based sauce or paste, along with various spices and seasonings.

This easy, quick and delicious Tomato Rice recipe is a favorite staple dish from the Tamil Nadu state of South India. Also known as Thakkali Sadam in Tamil language, this one pot wonder is tasty, healthy and perfect to pack in a tiffin for lunch on the go.

While this tomato rice is a tad spicy, you can easily adjust the heat to your liking. Serve it plain, or with crispy papad and boondi raita or any raita variety that you like. It makes a wonderfully filling and light lunch!

What is Thakkali Sadam?

Thakkali Sadam is a popular rice dish from the Tamil Nadu cuisine. It is a slightly spicy rice dish that is made with tomato, spices and rice. In the Tamil language, ‘thakkali‘ means tomato and ‘sadam‘ is rice.

About This Tomato Rice Recipe

This thakkali sadam recipe is inspired by the tomato rice we would eat at the cafe in the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. Isha Yoga Centre is set at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains and has been a wonderful place to meditate.

This tomato rice transports me back to our days visiting the Isha Yoga Centre and all of the silence and tranquility I felt while I was there.

It has taken me multiple attempts to get this recipe right, and I am so excited to share the flavors of our rich time in Tamil Nadu.

The recipes has the perfect balance of flavors and tastes that compliment the tanginess of the tomatoes so well. You will love this tomato rice recipe for its simplicity as well as overall balanced flavors.

If you like to add some pops of sweetness to the dish, include some frozen or fresh green peas or carrots or sweet corn kernels. This would also make the dish more healthier and flavorful.

Here's a simple recipe for tomato rice:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of basmati rice (or any long-grain rice)
• 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 tomatoes, finely chopped or pureed
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional, adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon of garam masala (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnishing

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice thoroughly and soak it in water for about 30 minutes. Then, drain the water and set the rice aside.
2. Heat oil or ghee in a large pan or pot over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
4. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chili (if using). Sauté for another minute.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes or tomato puree to the pan and cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy, and the oil starts to separate from the mixture.
6. Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala (if using), and salt. Mix well and cook for a minute to let the spices release their flavors.
7. Add the soaked and drained rice to the pan and gently mix it with the tomato mixture, ensuring that the rice grains are well coated with the spices.
8. Pour 2 cups of water into the pan and bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed. You can also use a rice cooker to cook the rice.
9. Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes. Then, fluff the rice gently with a fork.
10. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot tomato rice as a main course or as a side dish with raita (yogurt sauce) or any curry of your choice.

Enjoy your flavorful tomato rice!