Thakkali Saadham or Tomato Rice



Yummy Tomato Rice

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1.       Basmati Rice-2 cups

2.       Bangalore Tomatoes(ripe ones)-250 gms

3.       Onion (big ones)-2

4.       Cauliflower and Potatoes-optional

5.       Bay leaves

6.       Spices-Cardamom,Cinnamon,khas khas,clove (roast and grind)

7.       Refined oil

8.       Chilli powder-2 tablespoons

9.       Spring onions and Cilantro for seasoning

10.   Salt to taste

Procedure:

v  Soak basmati rice for a while , cook it separately in 3 cups of water and keep it. Too much water can make the rice sticky which is not good for the final product

v  Chop all the vegetables finely-Usually people do not add cauliflower and potatoes for this recipe, but they really add color and flavor, so try it

v  In a big Vaanali take refined oil ,add some bay leaves followed by  onions and fry until it becomes golden pink

v  Add tomatoes (if you go for cauliflower and potatoes first cook them and then add tomatoes)

v  Now to this ,add the ground spice masala powder,chilli powder and salt

v  Allow it to cook for a while by closing the pan with a lid-Pl. let it simmer for a while

v  You get a beautiful reddish masala mixture which is added to the rice and mixed well without any lumps

v  For the final touch finely chopped spring onions or cilantro is added

v  Serve it hot with any form of raitha-Onion or Pineapple Raitha goes well with this dish

Note:

1.       Rice should not become sticky

2.       Too much of oil makes the dish soggy-Use sunflower or olive oil, kindly avoid sesame oil as it changes the flavor

3.       Garlic can be added with onions if you like

4.       Cook rice and the masala simultaneously so that you can mix both when they are hot which facilitates even mixing

5.       Serves 2 to 3

This is Thakkali Saadham simplified version , nutritious, easy to make and soft on your stomach.

Enjoy the dish and come back with your valuable feedback.

Tamil Equivalents:

Thakkali-Tomato

Saadham-Rice

Vaanali(one of the long forgotten tamil words)-Pan

English Equivalents:

Cilantro-Kothamalli

Cardamom-Yelakkai

Cinnamon-Pattai

Khas Khas-Kasa Kasa

Clove-Krambu

Chilli powder-Kaara Podi

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