Tomato Rice

Savor the vibrant flavors of South India with this aromatic Tomato Rice recipe, a perfect one-pot meal that's as comforting as it is flavorful. Made with fragrant basmati rice, juicy ripe tomatoes, and a medley of spices including turmeric, cumin, and mustard seeds, this dish delivers a delightful balance of tangy, savory, and spicy notes. The addition of curry leaves and fresh cilantro elevates its aroma, while a splash of lemon juice brightens every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes, this recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights or a crowd-pleaser for lunchboxes and potlucks. Serve Tomato Rice with raita or papadum for a wholesome, satisfying meal everyone will adore.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 2 cups Water
• 3 medium Ripe tomatoes
• 1 medium Onion
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 1 inch piece Ginger
• 1 Green chili
• 2 tablespoons Oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Mustard seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 0.25 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 10 Curry leaves
• 2 tablespoons Coriander leaves (cilantro)
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps to remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky. Soak the rice in 2 cups of water for 20 minutes, then drain.

Step 2

Chop the tomatoes into small pieces. Finely chop the onion, garlic, ginger, and green chili.

Step 3

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them crackle, then add the cumin seeds and sauté for a few seconds until aromatic.

Step 4

Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent. Add the garlic, ginger, and green chili and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes turn soft and oil starts to separate from the mixture.

Step 6

Add the soaked and drained rice to the tomato mixture, stirring gently to combine.

Step 7

Pour in 2 cups of water, add the curry leaves, and bring to a boil.

Step 8

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let the rice cook until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 9

Remove from the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for another 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and squeeze lemon juice over the rice before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1388.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	769.5

Total Fat 32.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2410.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 109.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.3g	0%
Total Sugars 18.4g
Protein 19.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 561.6mg	0%
Iron 10.7mg	0%
Potassium 2433.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.0%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 54.3%