Olivia Carter
Tomato rice is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that is popular in Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. It is a one-pot meal that combines the tangy taste of tomatoes with aromatic spices and fluffy rice. Using a pressure cooker to make tomato rice saves both time and effort, making it a perfect dish for busy weekdays.
To make tomato rice in a pressure cooker, you will need ingredients such as rice, tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, and a blend of spices. The first step is to wash and soak the rice in water for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil in the pressure cooker and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves. Once they start to splutter, add finely chopped onions and cook until they turn translucent.
Next, add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears. Now, add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they become mushy. Add the spices – turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt – and mix well. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the cooker, along with water in a 1:2 rice-to-water ratio. Close the pressure cooker and cook for about 2 whistles on medium heat.
Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and fluff the rice with a fork. Tomato rice is now ready to be served hot with raita or any vegetable curry of your choice. It is a delicious and filling meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. So, give this easy pressure cooker recipe a try and savor the flavors of Tamil Nadu!
Preparation Steps
Here are the steps to prepare tomato rice in a pressure cooker:
1. Heat oil in the pressure cooker on medium heat.
2. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add urad dal and sauté until golden brown.
4. Add curry leaves, chopped onions, and green chilli. Sauté until onions become translucent.
5. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become mushy.
6. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and salt. Mix well.
7. Add washed rice and sauté for a minute.
8. Add water and mix well.
9. Close the pressure cooker with its lid and cook on high flame until 3-4 whistles.
10. Turn off the flame and let the pressure release naturally.
11. Open the pressure cooker, fluff the rice with a fork, and garnish with coriander leaves.
12. Serve hot with raita or any side dish of your choice.
Step 1: Gathering the Ingredients
Before starting the process of making tomato rice in a pressure cooker, it is important to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is a table listing the ingredients required for this recipe:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Raw rice | 1 cup |
| Ripe tomatoes | 3 |
| Onion, chopped | 1 |
| Green chillies, slit | 2 |
| Ginger-garlic paste | 1 teaspoon |
| Turmeric powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Red chilli powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Garam masala powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Mustard seeds | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Cumin seeds | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Curry leaves | A few |
| Cilantro, chopped | A handful |
| Water | 2 cups |
Step 2: Washing and Chopping the Vegetables
After gathering all the necessary vegetables for the tomato rice, it’s important to wash and chop them properly. This will ensure that they are clean and ready to be cooked. Follow these steps to prepare the vegetables:
1. Wash the Vegetables
Start by washing the vegetables under running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Use a vegetable brush or your hands to gently scrub the vegetables while rinsing them.
2. Peel and Chop the Onion
Take an onion and remove the outer skin. Cut off the top and bottom portions of the onion and make a vertical slit on one side. Peel off the skin and discard. Place the onion on the cutting board and slice it vertically into thin strips. Then, chop the strips horizontally to get finely chopped onions.
3. Dice the Tomatoes
Take fresh tomatoes and rinse them under water. Cut off the stem and make a small “X” mark on the bottom of each tomato. This will make it easier to remove the skin later. Place the tomatoes in a pot of boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water. After a few seconds, you can easily peel off the skin. Cut the tomatoes into small cubes or dice them, depending on your preference.
4. Chop the Green Chilies
Take fresh green chilies and rinse them under water. Remove the stem and chop the chilies into small pieces. Remove the seeds if you prefer a milder flavor.
5. Chop the Coriander Leaves
Rinse fresh coriander leaves and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Chop the coriander leaves finely to use as a garnish for the tomato rice.
Once all the vegetables are washed and chopped, you are ready to move on to the next steps in making the delicious tomato rice in the pressure cooker!
Cooking Process
1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add mustard seeds. Allow them to crackle.
2. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
3. Next, add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
4. Now, add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
5. Add washed and drained rice to the pressure cooker and mix everything together.
6. Pour water into the cooker, ensuring that the amount of water is twice the quantity of rice.
7. Close the pressure cooker with its lid and cook for 3-4 whistles on medium heat.
8. Once the pressure is released, carefully open the cooker and fluff the rice with a fork.
9. Serve hot tomato rice with raita or any side dish of your choice.
Note: You may garnish the tomato rice with coriander leaves for added flavor.
Enjoy your delicious homemade tomato rice!
Step 3: Heating the Pressure Cooker
Before you start cooking the tomato rice, it is important to heat the pressure cooker properly. Follow these steps:
- Clean the pressure cooker thoroughly and ensure that there is no residue or dirt.
- Place the pressure cooker on the stove and turn on the heat to medium.
- Allow the pressure cooker to heat up for a few minutes.
- Drizzle some cooking oil into the pressure cooker and spread it evenly on the bottom.
- Once the oil is heated, add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add curry leaves and chopped onions to the pressure cooker.
Note: Heating the pressure cooker properly ensures that the ingredients cook evenly and the rice turns out perfectly.
Tip: Be careful while handling the pressure cooker as it will be hot. Use oven mitts or a kitchen towel to protect your hands.
Step 4: Adding Oil and Spices
Once the pressure cooker is hot, add 2 tablespoons of oil. You can use any cooking oil of your choice, such as vegetable oil or sunflower oil.
Next, add the spices to the hot oil. Start by adding 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and allow them to splutter. This will release their aroma and enhance the flavor of the tomato rice.
Then, add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds. The cumin seeds will add a warm and nutty flavor to the dish.
Now, add a pinch of asafoetida (hing), 2 dried red chillies, and a few curry leaves. These ingredients will give the tomato rice a unique and aromatic taste.
To enhance the flavor further, add 1 tablespoon of grated ginger and 2 finely chopped green chillies. Ginger adds a zesty and slightly spicy kick to the dish, while green chillies add a subtle heat.
Cook the spices in the oil for about a minute or until they become fragrant.
Tips:
- Be careful not to burn the spices as they can turn bitter.
- If you prefer a spicier tomato rice, you can increase the number of green chillies according to your taste.
Once the spices are cooked, proceed to the next step to add the tomatoes.
FAQ
What is the recipe for making tomato rice in a pressure cooker in Tamil?
The recipe for making tomato rice in a pressure cooker in Tamil involves cooking rice and sautéing onions, tomatoes, and spices before adding the cooked rice.
How long does it take to make tomato rice in a pressure cooker?
It generally takes about 20 minutes to make tomato rice in a pressure cooker, including the time to cook the rice and sauté the ingredients.
What are the ingredients needed to make tomato rice in a pressure cooker?
The ingredients needed to make tomato rice in a pressure cooker include rice, tomatoes, onions, spices like cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and turmeric powder, and seasonings like salt and red chili powder.
Can I use any type of rice to make tomato rice in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can use any type of rice to make tomato rice in a pressure cooker. However, it is recommended to use long-grain rice for the best results.
Can I add vegetables to the tomato rice in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can add vegetables like peas, carrots, or capsicum to the tomato rice in a pressure cooker to make it more nutritious and flavorful.
