Tomato rice is a popular south indian delight. In Tamil, it is called as “Thakkali Saadham”. It is the ideal choice for every south indian mom, for their kid’s lunch box, as it can be prepared in less time with very handy ingredients. Everyone prepares this with little variations. Here I have come up with my own style, which is very delicious and flavourful. It goes excellent with onion raita or potato fry or egg omelette.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup rice

2 onions, sliced

3 tomatoes, chopped

1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

2 big red chilly

1 tablespoon red chilly powder

1 teaspoon cumin – fennel powder

1 teaspoon coriander powder

1 teaspoon garam masala

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

6 to 7 pudina leaves

1 bay leaf

2 cloves

1 star anise

2 cardamom

2 small sticks cinnamon

½ cup coconut milk

2 cups water

Oil

Salt to taste

INGREDIENTS:

Wash and soak the rice in water for half an hour. Set aside

In a kadai, add oil. When heated, add bay leaf, cloves, star anise, cardamom, cinnamon. Then add in onion and salt. Saute till the onion turns translucent. Add ginger garlic paste and red chilly. Cook till it mashes well.

Add chopped tomatoes and cook till it mashes. Add in pudina and all spice powders. Cook till the raw smell goes off. When it is cooked well, switch off the flame.

Heat the rice cooker and layer the prepared masala paste on the bottom. Then add in coconut milk and water required to cook the rice. Adjust salt and the spices, add if any required. Close the cooker and allow it to boil. When it comes to single boil, add in soaked rice and close the cooker. Cook till the rice is cooked and fluffy.

Transfer to serving plate and serve warm along with potato fries.