Pressure Cooked Tomato Rice

Tomato Rice is one of the easy to make flavorful rice variety. A bowl of piping hot tomato rice with raita is one of the most loved comfort food in our home.

Ingredients

Rice – 1 cup heaped

Tomatoes – 4 medium sized

Onion – 2 sliced

Pudina (Mint) leaves– 2 tbsp (finely chopped) + 2 tbsp

Cilantro – 2 Tbsp (finely chopped) + 2 tbsp

Ginger – 1”

Garlic – 8 pods

Green Chilli- 2 Nos

Chilli Powder – 1 tsp

Dhania Powder – 1 tbsp

Turmeric (Haldi) Powder- ¼ tsp

Ghee- 1tbsp

Salt to taste

For Tempering

Oil – 1 tbsp

Cinnamon (Dalchini/Pattai)- 3 pieces

Bay Leaf (Tej Patha) – 2

Fennel seeds (Saunf)- ½ tsp

Star Anise (Chakra Phool)– 1

Cardamom (Elaichi) – 3

Stine Flower (Kalpari/Dagar Phool) – 2 pieces

All the above whole spices are optional and you can add what you have available.

Preparation:

Wash and soak rice in water for 30 minutes. Drain the water.

Crush Green Chilli, Ginger and Garlic without water.

Also, grind Tomato, 2 tbsp cilantro, and 2 tbsp mint leaves to a fine paste.

Heat ½ tsp Ghee in a pan. Add Rice and roast it till it becomes dry.

In the meanwhile, heat Oil and the remaining Ghee in a pressure cooker, add all the ingredients meant for tempering and stir for 30 seconds.

Add Onion and sauté for couple of minutes. Add the crushed Ginger, Garlic and Green Chilli and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the Tomato paste, Dhania powder, Chilli Powder, Turmeric Powder and Salt.

Cook till oil separates. Add 1 ¾ cup of water.

When it starts boiling, add the roasted rice.

When the Rice is half done, add the chopped cilantro, Mint Leaves. Mix well and adjust salt.

Cover with the lid and cook for 2 minutes on high heat. Reduce to low heat and cook for 5 more minutes and switch off the heat. Need not wait for any whistle from the pressure cooker. Open the lid after 15 minutes.

Done!

Goes well with Papad, Raita and pickle.