Easy Tomato Rice

Guys we are planning a holiday again yayyy! This time it is a family do – the 6 of us. It’s been a while since I have been on a trip with so many people. Back before I was married and still living with my parents, we’d take holidays with my parent’s friends or our close family friends or even our extended family. Back then, I had little say in all these things tbh 😊 Now, that I am old and married and travel with my own 💲💲 I get to make my own decisions along with the hub of course and we are pretty good at planning our holidays together since we like to do the same kinds of things, which basically is eat, roam around and relax.

THIS time around, it’s going to be a little bit different but honestly I am looking forward to it! We are travelling to France this autumn, wine drinking in the Bordeaux region and getting sun kissed along the southern French Riviera! 🍷 🌞

Talking about this holiday brings back memories of my mom frequently cooking on our trips abroad, atleast a meal a day. She’s a vegetarian and a few years ago, it was rather difficult to find good vegetarian food abroad. Also, she doesn’t eat mushrooms, and that cuts down the veggie options by like 80% when you’re travelling abroad. What I remember her cooking the most on these trips is this super quick and easy Tomato Rice. It’s a very satisfying meal with tomatoes, some simple spices, onions and long grain rice, that’s it. It’s ready in a jiffy and a meal in itself. Read on to learn how to make this delicious recipe. I like to eat it with some fresh plain yoghurt or mint raita.

Easy Tomato Rice

Serves 2 | Prep time : 15 min  | Cook time : 10 min

Ingredients:

• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced lengthwise
• 1 large onion, sliced lengthwise
• 6-7 black peppercorns
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 3-4 green cardamom pods
• 1 bay leaf
• 3-4 large garlic cloves, pressed or finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups long grain rice, such as basmati, cooked
• 2 tsp vegetable oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

In a non-stick pan, add 2 tsps oil, chopped garlic all the spices. Once fragrant, add the sliced onions and sauté. As they turn golden brown, add the tomatoes and mix well. Cover the pan with a lid and let the tomatoes cook through. This will take about 3-5 minutes on a low flame. Add a sprinkle of water to ensure this doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Taste the mix and add salt and pepper to adjust the seasoning as per your taste. Next, add the cooked basmati rice and mix well. Again, sprinkle some water over and cover with a lid for about 2 minutes.

You’re ready. Isn’t that super easy? This Tomato Rice is so great for a weeknight dinner as a meal by itself or when you are cooking an elaborate meal too! You can choose to garnish with freshly chopped coriander and serve hot 🔥