Tomato Rice / Takkali Saatham

Here is a quick, spicy and tasty comfort dish!



Prep time - less than 5 mins
Cooking time - 15 mins

Ingredients:

Cooked rice - 1.5 cups
Tomatoes - 3 medium sized, chopped
Onion - 1/2 of medium sized, chopped
Ginger - 1.5 tsp, finely chopped
Cilantro - 4 sprigs, finely chopped
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp or as per taste
Green chillies - 2, chopped [ or as per taste ]
Oil - 1 tbsp

Seasoning :

Whole dry red chilli - 2, broken into 2 pieces
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Chana dal - 1 tsp
Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
Cashew nuts - 7-8, broken pieces
Curry leaves - 4 to 5 leaves
Asafoetida - 1/8 tsp

Procedure :

In a large sized pan ( on medium heat ) heat oil. Once hot, add in mustard seeds, once they splutter add cumin seeds and as they sizzle add in red chillies, chana dal and urad dal and stir till the dals turn golden in color. Then add cashew nut pieces, ginger, asafoetida and curry leaves. Stir for few seconds and add in the onions and stir again till the onions turn transparent. Add in the green chillies, red chilli powder and tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes turn real mushy and soft. [ Since we are adding whole dried red chillies, green chillies and red chilli powder, be carefull of how much of each you add. You want it spicy but not too hot!]

Once the tomatoes are mushy add garam masala [ optional ] and turn the heat to low and slowly add the fluffed up rice and salt. Mix nicely. Add  cilantro and mix again. Serve warm with raita and papad.