I like how versatile this humble grain Rice could be in various forms of cuisines world over. From more exotic Sushi to Risotto to the simple curd rice from South India, this ancient grain has come a long way. And yes if you are already bored with the time consuming & tedious cooking methods of your Risottos and the Shahi Pulav these quickies will win you over hands down.

I love the simplicity of these recipes with which these can be easily included in the lunch, dinner and can be packed comfortably in the lunchbox too. Each recipe has a distinct color, aroma and taste which makes them unique. Red rice, green rice, yellow rice… no these are not the varieties of rice but the names given to the rice dishes I pack for my children to school. So the tomato rice becomes red rice, coriander rice as green rice and lemon rice takes the name of yellow rice.

The few changes I often make in my MIL’s recipe is to add more nutritious brown rice, black sesame seeds, and whole black gram in place of polished white rice, skinned sesame seeds and de husked black gram.

Preparation time
15 minutes

Cooking time
20 minutes

Serves
2 persons

Ingredients

2 cups pre cooked rice*

1 cup fresh tomato juice/puree

1 green chilly

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1 small onion

1/2 tsp. mustard seeds

1 tsp. de-husked black gram

1/4 tsp. cumin seeds

A pinch of asafoetida powder

Salt as desired

A few sprigs of curry leaves

Preparation

Wash and cook the rice and keep it aside. For making a cup of tomato juice you may need 3-4 medium tomatoes. Wash the tomatoes and blend in mixer to make a puree. Filter the puree if you want a clear tomato rice. Peel and slice the onion finely. Chop the green chilly.

Cooking

Heat oil in a wok and crackle mustard and add de husked black gram (dhuli urad dal) & cumin seeds in it. Add the diced onion, curry leaves, asafoetida and green chilly to the oil and fry it for about a minute. Pour the tomato puree in the wok and keep frying for another 3-4 minutes. Take the wok off the flame.

Add salt the pre cooked rice and mix well. Pour the above tempering in the rice and mix it thoroughly. Serve this Tangy Tomato rice with plain yogurt or a yogurt Raita with vegetables.

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