Tomato Rice

Prep Time:10 m          Cook Time:20 m

Serves:3

Ingredients

Basmati Rice       - 1 cup(soak for 20 m)

Onion                  - 1

Tomato                - 4(medium sized)

Green Chilli         - 3

Ginger                 - 1"piece

Garlic                  - 4

Cinnamom           - 1"piece

Clove                  - 3

Cardamom           - 3

Bay Leaf              - 2

Mint Leaves         - few

Aniseed               - 1/2 tsp

Khus Khus            - 1/4 tsp

Turmeric Powder  - 1/4 tsp

Chilli Powder        - 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala       - 1/4 tsp

Water                   - 1& 1/2 cup

Salt                      - as required

Oil                        - 2 tsp

Ghee                    - 1 tsp

Method

• Heat oil and ghee in a pressure cooker.Add aniseed,khus khus,followed by whole spices and green chilli.Then add sliced onions,little salt,saute for a while.
     
• Add crushed garlic and grated ginger and fry for a while.Then add chopped tomatoes,mint leaves,turmeric powdeer,chilli powder,garam masala,required salt and water.
                                 
                                    
  
• When it starts boiling,add rice,give it a mix and close the lid and put on the weight.Simmer for five to eight minutes.Wait for two minutes and then remove from stove and set aside.Open the lid once pressure is released,fluff it up with a fork and serve with raita.
                                         
                             
  

Little Words

• A comforting food that satisfies the taste buds.
• Add two tablespoons of grated coconut after adding rice if desired.

Thengai Sadam/Coconut Rice

Prep Time:10 m     Cook Time:15 m

Serves:2

Ingredients

Cooked Rice     - 1 cup

Grated Coconut - 1/2 cup

Dry Red Chilli  - 4

Curry Leaves    - a sprig

Mustard Seeds  - to splutter

Channa Dal      - 1 tblsp

Salt                   - as required

Oil                    - 1 tblsp

Method

• Heat oil ina pan,splutter mustard seeds followed by channa dal,curry leaves and red chillies.
     
• Now add grated coconut and required amount of salt and mix them well.Now add cooked rice and toss mix them all together and serve with crisps or papads.
                           
                           
  

Little Words

• Add some cashewnuts fried in ghee for a more rich taste.
• Spread the hot rice on a plate and add some oil to it so that the grains are separate.
• This simple delicious dish is yet another favourite of mine.

Lemon Rice

Ingredients

Rice                     - 1/2 cup

Lemon                 - 1big sized
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Peanuts                - 2 tblsp

Curry Leaves       - a sprig
Coriander Leaves - to garnish

Garlic                  - 3 cloves

Red Chilli            - 4

Mustard Seeds     - to splutter

Cumin Seeds       - to splutter

Oil                       - 1 tblsp

Salt                      - to taste

Method

• Cook rice and spread it in a plate and mix little gingelly oil so that the grains will be separate when you mix rice.Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds,cumin seeds,peanuts,curry leaves,garlic,red chillies and saute well.
     
• Squeeze the juice of lemon and add little water to it.Add this to the pan and add turmeric powder and required amount of salt.Boil it for two minutes and add boiled rice and gently mix well.Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with coconut chutney.
                            
     

Little Words

• If desired sprinkle some roasted and powdered fenugreek seeds at the last step.This will give a nice aroma to the tangy lemon rice.
• A quick rice variety ideal for travel packing.
• This can be had plain,with chutney,pickle,curd,papad...