Tomato Peanut Rice
This is a flavorful South Indian-style rice dish made with tomato-beetroot puree, spices, and sautéed vegetables. Perfect for lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
For Tomato Peanut Rice Base:
- 3 large tomatoes (cut into big pieces)
- A small piece of beetroot
- 1 cup rice
- 1.45 cups water
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Tempering (Tadka):
- 2 tsp oil
- 2 tbsp peanuts
- 1 tbsp urad dal (split black gram)
- 1 tbsp chana dal (split Bengal gram)
- 1 tsp mustard seeds (rai)
- 2 green chilies (big, slit or roughly chopped)
- 10–12 curry leaves
- 1 dry red chili (broken)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 5–6 beans (chopped)
- 1 small carrot (chopped)
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp sambar powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
For Garnish:
- Chopped fresh coriander leaves
- ½ lemon (juice)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Tomato Peanut Rice
- In a blender, add the chopped tomatoes and a small piece of beetroot. Blend into a smooth puree.
- Rinse 1 cup of rice thoroughly in water.
- In a pan, add the rinsed rice.
- Pour in the prepared tomato-beetroot puree and 1.45 cups of water.
- Add salt to taste and bring it to a boil.
- Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium.
- After 5 minutes, stir the rice gently.
- Let it cook for a total of 7–8 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed.
- Add 1 tbsp of butter, mix well, cover the lid, and turn off the flame. Let it sit covered.
Step 2: Prepare the Tempering with Vegetables
- In a separate pan, heat 2 tsp of oil.
- Add peanuts and roast them until they’re golden.
- Add urad dal and chana dal. Let them turn slightly golden.
- Add mustard seeds and let them crackle.
- Add green chilies, curry leaves, and the broken dry red chili. Sauté for a few seconds.
- Add sliced onions and cook until light golden brown.
- Add chopped beans and carrots. Sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Add ginger-garlic paste. Cook for a minute until the raw smell goes away.
- Add red chili powder, sambar powder, turmeric, and salt. Mix well and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the vegetables are tender and spices are well cooked.
Step 3: Combine Everything
- Add the cooked tomato rice to the pan with the tempered vegetables.
- Mix gently but thoroughly so that everything is well combined.
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and squeeze in half a lemon.
- Mix again and serve hot.
Serving Suggestion:
Enjoy with curd, raita, papad, or as-is for a spicy, tangy, and wholesome meal!