Satvik Tomato Pulao/Tomato Rice Flavored with Indian Spices

Satvik Tomato Rice –with No Onion or Garlic is a fragrant rice, flavored with juicy red tomatoes and mild aromatic spices like ginger, hing, star anise etc. The fragrant aroma of this exotic colorful rice hits you so pleasantly that you will not miss the onions or garlic in it!! It is perfect for those days when you are longing for some simple quick rice with just some yogurt or salad on the side.

Whenever we have get-togethers with our family, it is mostly a potluck kind of theme or sometimes, the main host makes most of the dishes and others bring a dish along. It was my turn to bring something made with rice like some pulao or biryani or even lemon rice.

Tomatoes being so cheap this season, there was a basket full of fresh, ripe red tomatoes lying in my pantry waiting to be devoured in any form; tomato thokku, soup, and sometimes just some fresh tomato juice (which my father used to love; oh I miss him so much!!)

Tomato thokku and soup had already found its way to my table. With this party coming along and keeping in mind that some of my family does not eat garlic or onions (being spiritually inclined), a quick tomato rice (with no onions or garlic) was what I decided on.

It is so easy to make. All you need is one pot or pressure pan, rice (any kind, but I prefer Basmati rice for its long, long grains!!), fresh juicy tomatoes (and if you are out of them, even canned pureed tomatoes or puree in a carton will also do), some aromatic Indian spices (any combination you fancy) and whatever vegetables you have. I decided to add corn and some peas I had lying in my freezer for the contrast in color!!

Once you have gathered the ingredients, it takes only 15 minutes from start to finish!!! With some plain yogurt, raitha or just a salad on the side (or maybe some potato chips for some crunch), you have a complete meal.

The feedback at the party was so positive, this recipe has gone into my cooking journal and found its way to my blog too, to share with my blogosphere friends!!! Please do try this and let me know in the comments below or on my facebook page!!

While you are here, other quick rice dishes you can try are : Quick Tawa Pulao, Jhatpat vegetable pulao, Quick Mexican Rice, etc.

Updated June 14, 2019:

Just made it again using some freshly made sprouted moong instead of peas and corn. Came out delicious and absolutely lip smacking! I have used regular Sona rice instead of Basmati.

Do check out the recipe below; print or save for later!

Yum

Satvik Tomato Pulao/Tomato Rice Flavored with Indian Spices

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 4

Tomato Rice –with No Onion or Garlic is a fragrant rice, flavored with juicy red tomatoes and mild aromatic spices like ginger, hing, star anise etc.

Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice
3 medium tomatoes or 1 cup puree
4 cloves
2 cinnamon
1 star anise
2 cardamoms
2 bay leaves
1 tsp jeera
2 tablspoons oil
1 tablespoon ghee
½ tsp haldi
1 teaspoon chili powder (kashmiri)
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
1 tsp grated ginger
½ teaspoon hing
½ cup green peas
½ cup corn
Salt to taste
2 teaspoons oil
1 teaspoon ghee/clarified butter

Instructions

Wash rice well and drain. (You can soak it for about 30 minutes and then drain if you prefer)
Chop the tomatoes and place them in a food processor or blender.
Puree to a paste and keep aside. I got about 1 cup tomato puree.
In a pressure pan, heat the oil and add the spices; cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and bay leaves.
Saute on medium low heat for a few seconds till they become fragrant.
After a few seconds, add the green peas, corn and grated ginger. Mix well and sauté on medium heat for a few minutes; about 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the green chilies, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and hing. Mix well and fry for about 1 minute.
Stir in the garam masala powder and give a good stir.
Then add the rice along with ghee and sauté on medium high till it is well coated with the spices; about 2 minutes.
Once the rice has fried till each grain glistens with spices, add the tomato puree and mix well.
Saute again for a few seconds on high.
Add salt to taste and add 1 ¾ cups water. Cook on pressure for 2 whistles and turn off the heat.
If cooking in a saucepan, bring to a boil, cover and cook on simmer for about 15 minutes till all the water is absorbed and each grain of rice is cooked.
Once the pressure drops on its own, remove the lid and gently fluff up the rice.
Delicious tomato rice with no onions or garlic is ready. Enjoy this fluffy, aromatic rice with yogurt, raita or just a salad.

Notes

If you do not have fresh tomatoes, you can use canned tomatoes too. Just cut them up before cooking.

Adjust the amount of green chillies and spices according to your taste.

Other vegetables you can add are green peppers/capsicum, cauliflower, potatoes etc

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Step-by-step method:

Wash rice well and drain. (You can soak it for about 30 minutes and then drain if you prefer)

Chop the tomatoes and place them in a food processor or blender.

Puree to a paste and keep aside. I got about 1 cup tomato puree.

In a pressure pan, heat the oil and add the spices; cumin/jeera, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and bay leaves.

After a few seconds, add the green peas, corn and grated ginger. Mix well and sauté on medium heat for a few minutes; about 1 to 2 minutes.Saute on medium low heat for a few seconds till they become fragrant.

Add the green chilies, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and hing. Mix well and fry for about 1 minute.

Stir in the garam masala powder and give a good stir.

Then add the rice along with ghee and sauté on medium high till it is well coated with the spices; about 2 minutes.

Once the rice has fried till each grain glistens with spices, add the tomato puree and mix well.

Saute again for a few seconds on high.

Add salt to taste and add 1 ¾ cups water. Cook on pressure for 2 whistles and turn off the heat.

(If cooking in a saucepan, bring to a boil, cover and cook on simmer for about 15 minutes till all the water is absorbed and each grain of rice is cooked).

Once the pressure drops on its own, remove the lid and gently fluff up the rice.