June 06, 2023

Tomato Rice | Thakaali Saadham - Quick one pot vegan recipe


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 Thakali Saadham / Tomato Rice is a simple and delicious recipe from South India . It makes for a Quick fix lunch or dinner option and also apt to pack for lunch boxes . 

It is not a traditional recipe, hence each household may have different recipes to dish out this yummy Thakali saadham .

The main ingredient for this recipe are juicy and slightly tangy tomatoes for the extra punch. I use just basic spices and not much whole masalas/ garam masala . I like the rice to soak in the taste and flavor of tomatoes and chillies . 

If you like you may add some fried cashews or boiled peas while preparing the tomato rice . I add them depending on my family's request . 

My hubby loves to have his tomato rice with either Pattani (Peas) Masala or Potato Curry and some chilled raita/pachadi . Papads or fryums are an excellent addition as well . 

If packing for lunch , make sure you cool the rice completely and then pack it . If you pack it very hot ,there is a chance the rice may go bad especially in summer.  

I often make thakali saadham for dinner as it is a quick fix and I wont see fussy faces at home . As always, I realised that this delicious tomato rice wasn't on my blog and as a matter of coincidence our gourmet food group theme for this month was "cook what you like " .. Viola !! I got an opportunity to publish this recipe.  My partner Rafeeda has dished out a baked Pasta recipe and if you are a pasta lover, you must try it for sure .

Preparation Time- 10 mins
Cooking Time - 20 mins
Complexity - simple
Serves  - 2 to 3

Ingredients 

2 cups rice (Basmati / Sona Masuri / any short grained rice ) 
3 to 4 medium sized tomatoes 
1 onion chopped (optional) [skip for jain and no onions no garlic recipe ] 
3 green chillies slit 
Few curry leaves 
Fresh corriander 
1 tsp mustard seeds 
1 tsp channa dal 
1 tsp udad dhal 
2 tsp corriander powder 
1/2 tsp jeera powder 
1/2 tsp chilli powder 
Pinch of turmeric powder 
Salt as  needed
2 tbsp cooking oil 
Pinch of sugar 

Method 

  • Wash the rice well and soak it for 10mins and then drain the water through a colander. 
  • Chop the tomatoes into medium sized chunks and finely chop the green chillies .
  • Heat the oil in a pressure cooker or pressure pan and crackle the mustard seeds followed by channa dal and udad dal until they turn crisp and golden brown . Saute onions if using until pick and translucent. 
  • Fry the green chillies,  curry leaves . Keep the flame on low and add the chopped tomatoes and  spice powders (haldi, red chilli powder, jeera powder and corriander powder ).
  • Saute the tomatoes well and sprinkle some water ..cook covered until the tomatoes turn mushy and soft . Continue cooking until the oil begins to separate.Add salt at this  stage along with some chopped corriander. 
  • Add water and bring to a boil . If using basmati rice use 1.5 cups water for 1 cup rice and if using sona masuri rice use 2 cups water for 1 cup rice.
  • Once the water begins to boil,add the drained rice,  Pinch of sugar and adjust salt if needed .
  • Close the pressure cooker and cook on medium flame for 2 whistles.  Let the pressure release naturally. 
  • Fluff it with a fork and add some ghee if not vegan and serve hot with raita ,papads and some gravy or curry . 


14 comments:

  1. Priya I have enjoyed tomato rice which my neighbour use to send over to my place but haven't tried making it myself. Was wondering if I could replace the fresh tomatoes with fresh tomato puree as I have a large quantity in the fridge which needs to be used up? I love different flavoured rice dishes. This will be perfect for lunch.

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    1. You can very well use the tomato puree . Follow the same process and In place of chopped tomatoes add the puree and cook until the raw flavor is lost and the oil separates from the tomato puree.

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  2. I do love well-made tomato rice. Yours looks so flavourful! It's so awesome that yours is a pressure cooker recipe that one can use to make tomato rice in a jiffy. Will definitely try this out.

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  3. It's so true that everyday recipes like this delish thakkali saadham often dont get blogged.. I have the same with thayir saadam :p - I love this pressure cooker version and can't wait to try it soon enough - Kalyani

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  4. Perfect lunch menu Tomato rice, some papad and majjige! I will live all my life no this combo. I never add urid dal and chana dal will do so thistime.

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  5. Recently we took mama and mami on a road trip so I packed thakkali saadam and some potato curry to have. They really enjoyed a good south indian style picnic.

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  6. Thakkali saadam is actually one of the best dishes to make when you aren't in a mood to cook much and just want to get something done... Love how your plate of rice looks like... Super delicious, easy and flavorful!

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  7. Like you said, there are numerous variations for simple comfort foods. I have never added jeera powder in thakkali madam and I am trying it this week. The addition of cumin powder will enhance the flavor and aroma for sure. Great recipe.

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  8. Loved ur version tomato rice Priya, rice absorbs the flavours of tomato nd spices. Loved the way you had this rice with curry, fry yums and raita, super yummy.

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  9. Tomato Rice is always a comfort food . There are so many variations to this humble dish. We add a little rasam powder and don’t add sugar. Would love to try your version soon for my lunch box. Love this quick and easy recipe.— Preethi

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  10. Best one pot rice dish to pack for tiffin. Tomato rice sounds easy and delicious. Loved the pressure cooker method. Its perfect for a busy day.

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  11. Tomato rice with some papad , is a perfect combo for me while on a hurry.... Use of urad dal and chana dal must be adding nice tiny crunch

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  12. Tomato rice is my all-time favorite and I like this version made in a pressure cooker than one where rice is cooked separately and mixed. Your picture makes me mouthwatering.

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  13. Such a comforting dish this is and made in a pressure cooker makes it so easy and fuss free. I would love to make this soon.

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