Friday, February 1, 2008

Tomato Rice.

Tomato Rice is a rice dish. Tomatoes are available plenty in the market around the year.
This is an pretty easy and simple dish and you can create tomato Rice according to your taste.
I have used tomato, onions. green chilly and some simple spices.
 Tomato Rice is good for breakfast (rice lovers), or for lunch or dinner.  There are different types of tomato rice, using vegetables and tomatoes, tomatoes and onions and only tomatoes and green chilly and tomatoes and coconut together. So you can prepare this dish with your favourite vegetables or spices or Ready to eat rice bath powders.
Lets see some benefits of having tomatoes in our diet.
Tomatoes are good for digestion, it helps to stimulate blood circulation, reduce cholesterol levels in our body. It protects the kidneys, detoxify the body, reduce inflammation. It is a rich source of antioxidants. They contain rich source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, C and K. They contain Vitamin B6. They are good source of potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous and copper. They contain good amount of fiber and good for people who suffer from constipation.
Tomatoes helps to reduce the cholesterol and protects the heart. It helps to improve he vision. They also helps in preventing night blindness. Tomatoes help in maintaining healthy teeth, bones, hair and skin.
I have used tomatoes, onions and some spices. It is an easy dish and every one surely enjoy having this tomato dish. We can prepare this tomato rice for one dish (one pot meal), parties , kitty parties.
Lets see the recipe now :

Things needed :

To cook :
Raw Rice : 1 Cup (Sona Masoori or Basmathi)
To Fry : 
Tomato : 2 ( small )
Onion: 1 ( big )
Green Chilly : 1
Ginger : an inch
Sambar Powder : 1 Tablespoon
Garam Masala/Pav bhaji Masala ; 1 Teaspoon
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 Teaspoon
For the seasoning :
Oil : 2 table spoon
Mustard seeds " 1/2 tea spoon
Urd Daal :1/2 tea spoon
Cashew Nuts : 2 to 3 Tablespoons
curry leaves : 6 to 8
To add : 
coriander leaves : 4 to 5 sticks.
Salt: to taste
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon (Optional)
Method :
1. Wash and pressure cook rice for 6 to 8 minutes. ( 1 cup Sona Masoori = 2 1/2 cup water or 1  Cup Basmathi Rice = 2 cups of water).  Let it cool after it is cooked.
2. Wash and cut tomatoes (remove the seeds while cutting), green chilly, coriander leaves and curry leaves. Remove the outer layer of onion wash it and cut it into small pieces.
3. Wash and remove the outer layer of ginger and wash it again. Grate it and keep it aside.
4. Now keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil, mustard seeds, urid dal and let mustard seeds splutter.
5. Add cut onions and fry nicely. Add tomatoes, green chilly and grated ginger. Fry all the ingredients nicely till tomatoes turn soft and gravy becomes little thick.
 6. Add turmeric powder, rasam/sambar powder/garam masala/Pav bhaji masala and salt. Let it cook for a minute. Let it get thicken.


7. Now mix cooked rice to this gravy and stir slowly. Let rice mix well with tomato gravy.
8. Mix it well and add a tablespoon of ghee and cut coriander leaves.

9. Shift the ready tomato rice to the serving dish. Add a spoon of fresh coconut on the top and serve with a cup of curd/ Yogurt.

Note :

Rice should be cooked soft but not watery or over cooked. (Over cooked rice may not taste good). Add spices according to your wish. More/Less. Use of coconut is optional. Use of ghee is also optional. You can use any brand of rasam or sambar powder and garam masala powder.
Time : 30 minutes (including cooking rice).
Serves : 2.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Sweet Pongal ( Huggi )

Happy Shankrathi to you all.
Shankranthi is a Harvest Festival in some places and Sun is moving from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana.. A special occasion to celebrate. Yellu Bella Tindu olle Matadu ..this is kannada saying. People in Karnataka have a tradition..they mix up roasted jingly seeds with roasted ground nuts adding jagary and dried coconut. (Both cut in to small pieces) This specialy made eatable is served to all houses nearby and near ones and dear ones.
This tradition brings up a good harmony in the area around...live happily with oneness.

Things Needed
Rice: 1/2 cup.
Moong Dal 1/2 cup
jagary: ( Bella in Kannada): 1 cup
Ghee : 2 to 3 Table spoon
Cashew nuts : 4 to 6 ( cut in to small)
Cardamum: 2 to 3 seeds

Method: 
1. Wash rice and moong dal and pressure cook for 10 minutes. Leave it for cooling. Powder cardamum and keep it aside.
2.Keep a big pan on the fire and heat.
3. Put a spoon of ghee and heat. Fry cashew nuts in that ghee till they are brown. Remove them from the pan.
4. Now put jaggery  in that pan and put cooked rice and moong dal.
5. Stir until water disappears. Add cashew nuts cardamum and ghee.
6. Cook until it mixes with jaggery and put some ghee and fried cashew nuts
7. Shift the ready pongal to the serving bowl.
8.Serve this sweet pongal during the lunch or dinner.

Note : 
Cook on slow fire. You can add coconut if you like. Add coconut just before serving.
Time : 30 minutes.
Serving: 3 to 4

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author
My name is Nalini Somayaji. Teaching is my profession. Cooking is my passion. Reading, travelling, visiting new places, having fun with kids are some of the hobbies I can say. My recipes are Healthy, quick, easy and simple. Grown up being a traditional family member I love and respect Indian culture and traditions. Love classical dance and music.
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