Tomato Pulao

This is yet another nice variety which I make regularly for lunch and ideal for lunchbox .The tomato pulao also comes handy whenever I run out of vegetables or when I return from a 2 or 3 days trip,as I have onions and tomatoes always .The tomato pulao when paired up with a simple onion raita or a potato fry tastes awesome and heavenly.To get the bright red color I puréed the tomatoes but you can add finely chopped tomatoes also.

Preparation time:20 minutes

Serves:2

Ingredients:

Basmati rice -1 cup

Tomatoes-3 no

Chopped onion-1 big

Slit green chillies-2

Chilli powder-1 tsp

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

Garam masala-1/2 tsp

Coriander leaves-togarnish

Salt -to taste

Oil-2 tbsp 

To be grind to a fine paste:

Garlic-4 pods

Ginger-1 inch

Saunf/fennel seeds-1/2 tsp

To temper:

Bay leaves-3

Cinnamon-1 inch stick

Cloves-2

Green cardamoms-2

Procedure:

1.Soak the basmati rice in 1 and 1/2 cups of water for 20 mins.Grind the ingredients for grinding to a fine paste.

2.Heat oil in a pan and add the tempering ingredients and then add the ground paste.

3.Once it is sautéed well add the slit green chillies and chopped onions .Then add the chilli powder,turmeric powder and salt.

4.Then add the puréed tomatoes and fry well till the tomatoes are cooked.then add the soaked basmati rice along with the water and transfer it to the pressure cooker.

5.Add the chopped coriander leaves and garam masala and pressure cook for 2 whistles.

6.Serve the tomato pulao hot with raita or potato roast.

Tips:

* You can add green peas to make it look colorful and attractive for kids.

*Soaking of basmati rice helps in getting a  long grain after cooking.

*Add mint leaves for an enhanced flavour.I didnt add it as I ran out of mint leaves.