Monday, March 28, 2011

Microwave tomato rice



One dish that would top my list to make on days that I am lazy to cook would be tomato rice. Pair it with just potato wafers or home-made fryums or a roasted potato dry curry, an inviting meal is ready. I figured that making the tomato puree ahead and storing is making it even easier. You may then put the rice, spices and puree in a rice cooker or the microwave and get it done as quickly as possible.

How to puree tomatoes in the microwave for storing:

Using a fork or a toothpick, prick at points on the surface of the tomato.

In a microwave safe bowl take half a cup of water and place about three large tomatoes thus pricked.

Cover the bowl and cook on the highest micro output for 3 minutes initially.

Check if the peel comes off easily, otherwise, let it cook for a further minute. Allow a few minutes of standing time.

Cool and blend to a puree.

This puree can be used to cook tomato rice.

Ingredients:

200ml basmati rice, washed, soaked for 20 minutes and drained

2 medium onion chopped fine

1 cup pureed tomato

2 tablespoons ghee/oil

2 cups water

For tempering:

1 teaspoon oil

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

few curry leaves

Grind to a paste:

2 cloves garlic

1/2" stick cinnamon

2 cloves

2 green chillis

1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder

1/2 teaspoon corriander powder

1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder

Method:

In a microwave safe bowl heat oil on highest power for 30 seconds. Add the mustard seeds and allow them to crackle. (it takes me about 1 minute to get the mustards crackle on 100% power). Add the cumin seed and the curry leaves. Let them cook for 20 seconds on 100% power.

Add 1 tablespoon ghee/oil to the above. Add chopped onions and set to medium power (60%). Cook for 3 minutes until onions are soft. Now add the paste and mix well. Microwave without covering, on 60% power for 4 minutes, stirring at two minute intervals. Thus the raw masala cooks with an aroma.

Remove and reserve this. In the same bowl heat the rest of the ghee uncovered on micro power 100% for 30 seconds.

Add the drained rice, mix well to coat the rice with the fat. Leave the bowl uncovered and heat the rice on 80% power for 2 minutes initially and then stir and heat for a further minute.

If you are cooking in a microwave rice cooker, transfer all of the contents, the reserved masala, tomato puree and the water in the rice cooker.

Leave it uncovered and on microwave 100%, cook for 4 minutes until the liquid starts boiling.

Fix the cover of the rice cooker and cook on 100% power for 12 minutes. Allow a standing time of two minutes and check if the rice is done.

If not, return to the microwave and cook covered on 80% power for 2 more minutes.

Open and stir well and place the cover back. Keep covered for 5 more minutes.

Serve with your favourite raita, chips or crisps.

If you do not want to use the microwave rice cooker, Take all of the contents in a large microwave safe bowl, cook covered on 100% power for 12 minutes. Remove the lid, stir and cook for 4 more minutes, covered on 60% power.

Remove the lid, stir and place the lid covered well for 5 minutes before serving.

Garnish with fresh corriander leaves. Serve with crisps and raita.

This microwave version of the all time favourite tomato rice goes to Srivalli's Microwave Easy Cooking event currently hosted at Priya's Mharo Rajasthan's Recipes

22 comments:

  1. Looks Delicious!!!! With Some Potatao Curry mmm!!! yummy!!!

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  2. Simple and delicious ! Looks inviting....

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  3. looks yummy and super simple to make!

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  4. Delicious tomato rice and all cooked in the microwave too.Do drop by simply.food some time.

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  5. This looks delicious. Will try this; have always have trouble with the tomato-rice recipe. :-)

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  6. delicious tomato rice looks wonderful

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  7. Love your presentation a lot,those light coming through the tomato slices is gorgeous! Nice presentation of the yummy rice!

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  8. I haven't tried rice cooking in microwave- u ve done nicely the tomato rice!

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  9. Woww... looks really perfect and tempting.. thanks for sharing !!

    Indian Cuisine

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  10. Tomato rice sounds so flavorful. Liked the idea of using tomato puree. Loved those thinly sliced tomato garnish.

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  11. Yumm, tomato rice makes me hungry..

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  12. I make tomato rice once in a while, your M.W version sounds lovely and the tomato rice looks really very tempting and delicious.

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  13. Quick rice in MW! Looks and hope tasted wonderful too )

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  14. hi Lataji, beautiful explanation, I have never tried MW version of cooking like this, I have just made rice, never thought of this Idea :)), got to try once.

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  15. I love tomato rice too - have not tried cooking this entirely in the MW before... Nice recipe akka.

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  16. Hello lataji,
    Tomato rice looks awesome. I love your space.
    You have a award waiting at my blog.Please accept it.http://archguru.blogspot.com/2011/03/yayaward.html

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Hello,
Welcome and thank you for taking time to drop by.
I appreciate your valuable comments and tips.
I sincerely hope to improve with them.
Hope we shall interact often.
Thanks once again,
Lata Raja.