How to Make Tomato Rice? Step-by-Step

Tomato rice is an aromatic and flavour-rich dish made using tomatoes, rice, and spices. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and versatility – the basic tomato rice recipe can be tweaked to match your personal flavour preferences. Though originating from the South of India, this easy tomato rice recipe has garnered love and appreciation from all over the world for its heartwarming taste and nourishing properties.

When considering the question “Why learn how to make tomato rice?” the answers are manifold. Tomato rice is a one-pot meal, making it convenient and easy to prepare, even for beginners. Nutritious tomatoes, coupled with rice, provide a balanced combination of carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent choice for a wholesome meal.

For any recipe, the first step is to gather your ingredients. This is no different from our tomato rice recipe. Here’s a list of the essentials you’ll need:

• Basmati rice: 2 cups
• Ripe tomatoes: 4
• Onions: 2
• Garlic cloves: 5
• Green chillies: 2
• Ginger: a small piece
• Red chilli powder: 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder: ½ teaspoon
• Cumin seeds: ½ teaspoon
• Mustard seeds: ½ teaspoon
• Salt: to taste
• Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Fresh coriander leaves: a small bunch

These ingredients are sufficient for a basic tomato rice recipe. You can always experiment with different veggies or spices to further enhance the flavour.

Now that we’ve got our ingredients ready, let’s delve into the step-by-step process of how to make tomato rice.

Begin by washing the rice thoroughly under cold water. This step is crucial to remove any impurities and excess starch that might make your rice sticky. After washing, soak the rice for about 20-30 minutes. This process will help the rice cook evenly and prevent it from being too firm or mushy.

Once soaked, cook the rice in a pot of boiling water, adding a bit of oil and salt. You can also use a rice cooker if you have one. Once the rice is cooked, fluff it gently with a fork and set it aside.

While your rice is cooking, it’s time to prepare the tomato mixture, the heart of the tomato rice recipe. Begin by finely chopping the onions, tomatoes, and green chillies. Also, grate the ginger and crush the garlic cloves.

Heat oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. Once they start to crackle, add the cumin seeds. Follow this by adding the chopped onions, green chillies, crushed garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté these until the onions become translucent. Now, add the chopped tomatoes and the spices – red chilli powder and turmeric. Mix well and let it simmer until the tomatoes are fully cooked and the mixture thickens.

This step involves marrying the rice and the tomato mixture, the crux of how to make tomato rice. Gently mix the cooked rice with the tomato mixture, ensuring that every grain of rice is well coated with the tangy tomato goodness. Adjust the seasoning, if necessary.

Let the rice simmer for a few more minutes for the flavours to meld together. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

And there you have it – a delicious, warm pot of tomato rice, made right at home.

Now that you’ve mastered the basics of how to prepare tomato rice, here are a few bonus tips to help you enhance your culinary creation:

• Use ripe tomatoes: The ripeness of the tomatoes significantly affects the taste of your dish. Riper tomatoes tend to lend a sweeter, more robust flavour to your tomato rice.
• Play with spices: While our tomato rice recipe provides a guideline, don’t hesitate to experiment with spices. You might want to add garam masala, coriander powder, or even a bit of black pepper to create a unique flavour profile.
• Add vegetables or protein: Tomato rice can serve as a versatile base for numerous additions. Stir-fried vegetables, tofu, paneer, or even chicken can add an extra dimension to your meal.
• Accompaniments: Tomato rice pairs well with raita, a yoghurt-based side dish, or even a simple salad.
• Leftover rice: This recipe is a great way to use leftover rice. The moisture from the tomato mixture will help rejuvenate day-old rice.

Learning how to make tomato rice is an exciting journey into the world of flavours and textures. With this easy tomato rice recipe in your culinary arsenal, you are well on your way to preparing meals that are not only simple and quick but also delicious and nutritious. Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you make tomato rice, the more you’ll find ways to personalise and improve it. Happy cooking!