Thakkali Sadham | Tomato Rice

Thakkali Sadham – Fine grains of basmati rice cooked with tangy tomatoes and spices. Perfect for your lunch box!

Good food is always associated with good memories. Or, is it the other way around? Today’s recipe – Thakkali Sadham is etched in my memory from my childhood and it is that one recipe which brings comfort to me at the time of distress. It is woven around so many memories from my childhood. I had a classmate who is always referred as Tomato. Funny isn’t it? She always brings tomato rice in her lunch box. Not only, but her brother and her sister. And her tomato rice was extremely delicious than anyone’s. Her mom’s tomato rice is our class favorite. At times, her lunch box was emptied by us than her. She would happily exchange her lunch box with us for curd rice, sambar rice or noodles. It was fiery hot in red color with a tangy twist. We would fight to get a spoon of tomato rice from her box. And I remember how my classmates fought hard to sit next to her during lunch just for her spicy tomato rice.

I rarely ask my mom to prepare variety rice for my lunch. Whenever she plans to prepare variety rice for lunch, my instant choice would be tomato rice. But then, tomato rice has very fewer supporters in my family and I end up losing every single time. Later, when I stayed in hostels for my work, I would happily pack my lunch from hostel if it is tomato rice. That was nowhere near to the one prepared by my mom or my friend’s mom. But then, since it is called as Tomato rice, I would pack it happily. Later, when I started cooking, I often prepared this simple yet delicious rice.

Recent days, I have been experimenting a variety of cuisine in my kitchen that I forgot to cook simple recipes. At times, all you need is a simple delicious food which brings the much-needed warmth and comfort. Simple pleasures make this simple life great.

Here goes my favorite comforting food. I have prepared an easy version without the addition of coconut. I would post the Chettinad version of tomato rice someday. Now, let me enjoy a plate of tomato rice with some music and my balcony view.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Basmati Rice
• 1 tablespoon Oil
• 1 teaspoon Gingelly Oil
• 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
• 1 teaspoon Urad Dal
• 2 Dried red Chilies
• Handful curry leaves
• 1 big Onion, cut lengthwise
• 2 large Tomatoes, cut lengthwise
• 3 Green Chilies, slit into halves
• 4 Garlic Cloves
• ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon Red Chili powder, adjust according to your level
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
• 3 cups Water
• Handful Coriander leaves, to garnish

Method:

• Soak basmati rice in water for half an hour.  Wash it thoroughly and drain the excess water.
• Pressure cook the rice with 3 cups of water for 3 whistles.
• Once the pressure releases, transfer the rice to a plate and fluff it with a fork.
• In a non-stick wok, add a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds, red chilies and urad dal followed by curry leaves.
• Let it splutter. Now, add in the green chilies and garlic cloves.
• Saute it for a minute. Add chopped onions and saute until they become transparent.
• Now, add chopped tomatoes and saute until they become mushy.
• Stir in the spices and combine them well.
• Cook over medium flame until they are completely cooked and oil separates from the sides.
• Finally, add cooked rice and combine them evenly with the tomato paste.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve it with raita of your choice.

If you try the recipe, do let me know how they tasted in comments. If you like space, do like and follow my profile at here –
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Yours Truly

Karthi