Tomato Rice (Pulao)
Recipe by Manjula, http://www.manjulaskitchen.com/

Tomato rice or pulao has a South Indian flair as I have used samber powder in this recipe. Samber powder is a spice mix used in many South Indian dishes. It has a spicy and tangy flavor. This flavor combined with tomato and rice taste great! This dish will also make a nice lunch box meal.

1 cup rice
3 tomatoes chopped, will make 1-1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
3 tablespoons oil
1/4 cup raw shelled peanuts
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 green chili chopped
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
3 teaspoons samber powder, available in Indian grocery store
1-1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cilantro (hara dhania) chopped
2 cups of water
Method

Wash and soak the rice in about 3 cups of water for at least 15 minutes. Drain the water and set aside.

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When moderately hot, add mustard seeds.
When the seeds cracks add peanuts and stir fry for one minute until peanuts are lightly golden brown.

Add about 1 cup chopped tomatoes, green chili, turmeric, sambar powder, salt and cilantro, cook until tomatoes are tender. This should take about 2 minutes.

Add rice and 2 cups of water mix and bring it to boil, lower the heat to low and cover the pen. Let it cook for about 18-20 minutes. Cook until rice is soft and water has evaporated.

Stir the rice gently and add the remaining tomatoes stir gently, cover the pan and let it cook for 2 more minutes.

Serve rice by it self or with yogurt.

Serves 3