Tomato Bhath

Being a proud Bangalorean ..am proud of the rice bhath recipes I have learnt from my mom. Growing up in Bangalore, I have seen people enjoying unlimited varieties of rice bhaths anytime at home or in a restaurant. Be it a quick breakfast,lunch box or family dinner, this one pot rice bhath is an easy bet of any kitchen owner.

Tomato bhath is a quick and tangy one pot meal which is filled with strong flavors. I love it when my mom cooks it, she makes it really spicy n tangy and adds only tomatoes.. Each bite would be a splash of flavors in your mouth. My version is a bit mild to suit my family and kids. I add some more veggies along with tomatoes to add some crunch.

Recipe Courtesy : Amma

This recipe serves 4 people

Ingredients

1. Cinnamon : 2 small sticks
2. Cloves : 3-4 pieces
3. Bay leaves : 2 leaves
4. Star anise : 2 pieces
5. Cardamom : 2 pieces
6. Onion : 2 large onion cut in julienne 
7. Tomatoes : 5-6 medium sized red apple or Roma tomatoes .cut 2 tomatoes into medium sized pieces and use rest for making tomato purée.
8. Carrots : 1 cup, peel and cut them into medium sized wheels (optional)
9. Potatoes : 1 cup, peel and cut into medium sized pieces (optional)
10. Capsicum : 1 cup, cut into medium sized pieces (optional)
11. Cauliflower : 1 cup, cut into big chunks (optional)
12. Peas : 1 cup frozen
13. Coriander leaves : 2 cups
14. Ginger : 2 inches piece,  you can add more as well...it will make the dish more spicy.
15. Green chillies : 3-4 green chillies
16. Garlic : 8-10 large garlic pods 
17. Fresh grated coconut : 1 cup or more
18. Red chilli powder : 2 Tbsp 
19. Coriander powder : 2-3 Tbsp
20. Salt : to taste
21. Rice : 3 Measuring cups - I generally use sona masoori  rice and pressure cook the Tomato bhath as my family prefers it a bit mushy.  You can use basmati rice and cook it in a pan for grainy rice bhath using 6 cups of water.

Procedure

• Let's make the tomato masala purée and then start cooking. 
• For the masala purée add cinnamon sticks, cloves, garlic, ginger, coriander leaves, grated coconut, green chillies,few onion pieces, tomatoes in a blender and grind it to a smooth purée. Make sure you grind only cinnamon and cloves and not other dry spices mentioned in the ingredients list.
• In a pressure cooker, On medium heat, add 3-4 Tbsp of oil and put in the whole bay leaves, cardamom and star anise. Give it few seconds to fry in oil.
•  Then add onions, frozen peas and stir it for few seconds and then add tomato masala purée, let it cook for a minute.
• Put in the veggies, tomatoes and stir everything together for few seconds.
• Add coriander powder, red chilli powder (since we have added green chilli to make the purée, carefully add the red chilli powder accordingly).
• Add the washed rice and stir it with veggies.
• Add 6 cups of water , salt to taste and close the cooker and let it whistle.
• After two whistles turn off the heat. Now your home will be filled with aroma of spices.
• Serve it hot and enjoy the compliments.