Recipe: Tomato Rice (Indian)

TOMATO RICE

1 tsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds or cumin seeds
2 red dry chile peppers
2/3 curry leaves (available in Indian grocery stores)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 to 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 cm (1/2 inch) piece of ginger
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
2 tablespoon tomato paste or 1 medium-size tomato, finely chopped
2 tbsp. coconut milk
2 cups cooked rice
salt
GARNISH:
Cilantro or coriander leaves, chopped
Fresh grated coconut* (optional)

Heat 1 tsp. oil in a saucepan. Add mustard seeds or cumin seeds, red pepper, curry leaves, finely chopped onion, garlic and ginger. Fry till onion becomes tender.

Then add turmeric powder. Add tomato paste or finely chopped tomato. If you use tomato paste you stir in the coconut milk after a minute. If you use chopped tomato then allow it to cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until tomato is tender then stir in the coconut milk.

After few seconds add rice and salt and mix well. Cover and cook for 2 minutes.

TO SERVE:
Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves (chopped) and/ or fresh grated coconut.

*If fresh coconut is not available you can use dry coconut powder. Just add it to the rice and let it become soft for a minute before removing from heat.