Tomato Rice (Tomato Bhaat)

This is a quick one pot yummilicious rice dish that can be made in few minutes with few ingredients and it tastes super yum!! When in college, my close friend Rekha used to bring this delicious tomato rice in her lunch box and I still remember the aroma and its taste :) Hope those memories stay with me forever.(meaning don't want to have any amnesia :( ) I have made tomato rice before but something was missing and it did not turn out the way I remembered it.

I casually asked my friend Rekha today to send me her mom's recipe and she did so instantly, very sweet of her (power of internet era) I was in a great mood to have some, so made tomato rice today and voila...as expected that swad (taste) just hit the spot!! :). Thank you Rekha:) and thank you to Aunty for bringing back to me those college memories.

The tanginess of tomatoes and all the fried dals gives this rice dish a very comforting feel and taste. 

You must try it out!!

Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice (any, I use Basmati)
• 4 big tomatoes finely chopped (ripe)
• 2-3 dry red chillies
• 12 curry leaves
• 1 tbsp of channa dal (bengal gram)
• 1 tbsp urad dal
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
• salt as per taste
• 3 tbsp oil (or less)

Preparation:

• In a non-stick pan, heat oil, add mustard seeds, as it splutters add dry red chillies, curry leaves, channa dal, urad dal and saute till it turns light brown, add asafoetida, saute quickly and add chopped tomatoes. 
• Mix everything once, now add turmeric pwd, salt and saute for few seconds. 
• Now let the tomatoes cook and come together as a pulp. Once it starts leaving oil at the side, add cooked rice and slowly fold it in. 
• Do it delicately else you will be breaking the rice. The aroma in the house will surely make you happy :) 
• Let it cook on slow heat for a couple of minutes more till all the tangy flavors mix with the rice.
• Serve it with a little ghee (optional) along with yogurt raita, papad/fried sandige and pickles. 

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

You may like Vangi Bhaat, Vegetable Rice Pulao, Phodnicha Bhaat (tempered rice), Bhatkal Chicken Biryani...

notes* you can garnish it with cilantro and grated coconut too.

Health Benefits: The health benefits of rice include its ability to provide fast and instant energy, regulate and improve bowel movements, and slow down the aging process, while also providing an essential source of vitamin B1 to the human body. It is very low in sodium and cholesterol free! The debate that tomato is a fruit or vegetable is still on :), nonetheless, it is considered as a superfood. It is rich in antioxidants. It has lycopene which helps in fighting chronic diseases and helps in delivering other health benefits. It is an excellent source of Vit C, potassium and cholene.