Tomato Rice
South Indian tomato rice — rice cooked with spiced tomato base. Quick, vegetarian, perfect for using leftover rice. The tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried chilies is what defines South Indian flavor.
Prep Time
19 min
Cook Time
25 min
Servings
6
Calories
287 cal
🛠 Interactive Recipe Tools — Use them right here on this page
Smart Servings Scaler
- Rice2 ¼ cups
- Tomato3 medium
- Cumin1 ½ tsp
- Coriander Powder1 ½
- Turmeric¾ tsp
All quantities scaled automatically from 6 servings.
Ingredients
Makes 6 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust
- Rice2.25 cups
- Tomato3 medium
- Cumin1.5 tsp
- Coriander Powder1.5
- Turmeric0.75 tsp
Instructions
- 1
Use 3 cups of cooked basmati or jasmine rice (preferably day-old). Spread on a plate to break up clumps.
- 2
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, let them pop. Add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon urad dal (split black gram lentils, optional), 10-12 curry leaves, 2 dried red chilies. Sizzle 30 seconds — careful, curry leaves can spit.
- 3
Add 1 chopped onion, cook 5 minutes until golden. Add 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, cook 1 minute.
- 4
Add 3 chopped ripe tomatoes (or 1 cup tomato puree), 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1.5 teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon garam masala. Cook 8-10 minutes until tomatoes break down and the mixture is thick.
- 5
Add the cooked rice. Toss gently with a spatula to coat without breaking the grains. Cook 3-4 minutes to heat through and let the flavors penetrate.
- 6
Finish with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with raita, papad, or just plain yogurt. Best with a side of crispy roasted peanuts for crunch.
Watch how to make Tomato Rice
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💡 Expert Tips
- 1.Day-old rice. Fresh hot rice clumps; day-old rice separates beautifully.
- 2.Tempering is essential. The mustard-cumin-curry leaves combination is what makes this South Indian.
- 3.Curry leaves are non-negotiable. Available at Indian groceries. The aromatic leaves are part of what defines South Indian cooking.
- 4.Cook tomatoes until thick. Watery tomato mixture makes mushy rice.
🔬 Why It Works
South Indian tomato rice succeeds because the tempered spice base (tarka) is what gives the dish its distinctive flavor. Day-old rice doesn't clump when mixed with the tomato base. The combination of warm spices, tangy tomato, and aromatic curry leaves creates the complete South Indian flavor profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
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