Olivia Carter
Are you looking for a quick and delicious meal that can be prepared using a pressure cooker? Look no further! Tomato rice is a popular South Indian dish that is not only flavorful but also easy to make. In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of preparing this mouthwatering dish using a pressure cooker.
Tomato rice is a perfect dish for those busy days when you don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen. It requires minimal ingredients, most of which are pantry staples, and can be made in under 30 minutes. With its tangy and spicy flavors, tomato rice is sure to please your taste buds.
To start, gather all the ingredients you will need: rice, tomatoes, onions, ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, and a mix of spices like turmeric, red chilli powder, and garam masala. You can also add vegetables like carrots, peas, or bell peppers to make it more nutritious and colorful.
Begin by washing the rice thoroughly to remove any excess starch. Soak it in water for about 15 minutes, which will help make the rice grains fluffy. While the rice is soaking, chop the onions, tomatoes, and green chillies, and keep them aside. Now, heat some oil in the pressure cooker and add the ginger-garlic paste. Saute it until it turns golden brown.
Ingredients for Tomato Rice
Here are the ingredients you will need to make tomato rice:
- 2 cups of basmati rice
- 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
- 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece of ginger, grated
- 2 medium-sized tomatoes, diced
- 1 green chilli, slit
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon of garam masala
- 1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup
- 1/4 cup of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- Salt to taste
Note: You can adjust the spice levels according to your taste preferences by adding more or less chilli powder and green chilli.
Essential Ingredients for Tomato Rice
Tomato rice is a delicious and flavorful dish that can be easily made using a pressure cooker. To make this dish, you will need the following essential ingredients:
- Basmati Rice: Use high quality basmati rice for the best results. It’s important to rinse the rice before cooking to remove any excess starch.
- Tomatoes: Choose ripe and juicy tomatoes for maximum flavor. You can use both fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes depending on availability.
- Onion: Finely chop an onion to add a sweet and savory element to the dish.
- Green Chilies: Add a spicy kick to the tomato rice by using green chilies. Adjust the quantity according to your heat preference.
- Ginger and Garlic: Finely mince ginger and garlic to enhance the aroma and taste of the dish.
- Spices: Use a combination of spices like cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala to create a balanced and flavorful dish.
- Cilantro: Garnish the tomato rice with fresh cilantro leaves to add a refreshing touch.
- Oil and Ghee: Use a combination of oil and ghee for cooking to enhance the flavors.
- Salt: Season the tomato rice with salt to taste.
By using these essential ingredients, you can easily prepare a delicious tomato rice dish that is sure to impress your friends and family!
Optional Ingredients for Tomato Rice
If you want to add some extra flavor and texture to your tomato rice, here are some optional ingredients you can try:
- 1. Mixed vegetables: Adding a mix of carrots, peas, corn, and beans can add color and crunch to your tomato rice.
- 2. Paneer or tofu: For a protein boost, you can add cubed paneer or tofu to the tomato rice.
- 3. Cashews or almonds: Adding some roasted cashews or almonds can give a nice nutty flavor and crunch.
- 4. Cumin seeds: Tempering the rice with cumin seeds can enhance the overall taste.
- 5. Mint leaves: Chopped mint leaves can add a refreshing taste to the tomato rice.
- 6. Garam masala: If you prefer a more aromatic and spiced flavor, you can add a pinch of garam masala.
Remember, these ingredients are optional, and you can customize the tomato rice recipe according to your taste preferences. Feel free to experiment and add your favorite ingredients to make it more delicious!
Instructions for Making Tomato Rice
Follow these steps to make delicious tomato rice using a pressure cooker:
- Heat oil in the pressure cooker and add mustard seeds. Once the seeds start spluttering, add cumin seeds and curry leaves.
- Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
- Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well and cook until the tomatoes turn mushy.
- Now, add rinsed rice and water to the pressure cooker. Close the lid and cook for about 2-3 whistles on medium heat.
- Once the pressure is released, open the lid carefully and fluff the rice using a fork.
- Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.
Enjoy your homemade tomato rice!
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Before you start making tomato rice in a pressure cooker, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of Basmati rice
- 4 tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- A handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- Salt to taste
Make sure the tomatoes, onion, and green chilies are finely chopped as this will help them cook faster in the pressure cooker.
Also, wash the basmati rice thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. This will help remove any excess starch and result in fluffy rice.
Once you have all the ingredients ready, you can move on to the next step of the recipe.
Step 2: Cook the Rice and Tomatoes
Now that you have soaked the rice and chopped the tomatoes, it’s time to cook them together in the pressure cooker. Follow these steps:
- Place the pressure cooker on the stovetop and heat it over medium heat.
- Add the oil and let it heat up.
- Next, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Then, add the dried red chillies and curry leaves, and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
- Now, it’s time to add the soaked rice. Drain the excess water from the rice and add it to the pressure cooker.
- Give everything a good mix, making sure the rice is well coated with the tomatoes and onions.
- Add the water, salt, turmeric powder, and mix well.
- Close the pressure cooker with the lid and cook for 2 whistles on medium heat.
- Once the whistles are done, turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally.
Your tomato rice is now cooked and ready to be served. Fluff it up with a fork before serving to separate the grains. Enjoy!
Step 3: Add the Spices and Flavors
Once the tomatoes are cooked to a soft and mushy consistency, it’s time to add the spices and flavors to enhance the taste of the tomato rice.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Heat some oil in the pressure cooker and add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Allow them to splutter.
- Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. Stir well to combine the spices.
- Immediately add the cooked tomato puree and mix it with the spices. Make sure all the spices are evenly distributed.
- Add salt to taste and stir well.
- Close the pressure cooker lid and let the tomato rice cook for 3 to 4 whistles or as per your cooker’s instructions.
Adding these spices will give the tomato rice a delicious and aromatic flavor. The combination of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala will create a mouthwatering dish that will leave everyone wanting more.
FAQ
What is tomato rice?
Tomato rice is a delicious and flavorful rice dish made with cooked rice and a tomato-based sauce. It is a popular dish in many South Indian cuisines.
Can I make tomato rice in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can make tomato rice in a pressure cooker. In fact, using a pressure cooker can help save time and ensure that the rice is cooked perfectly.
