This tomato rice recipe is inspired by the South Indian variety while utilizing spices more typical in restaurant-style biryanis, such as cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Long-grain basmati rice simmers in aromatic spices, ginger, garlic, onion, and tomato for a flavorful, warming one-pot rice dish.
Basmati Rice Is Best for Tomato Rice
Use long-grain basmati rice for fluffy, separated rice grains with this tomato rice. In addition to offering an optimal texture, basmati rice is also aromatic and fragrant, adding a pleasant aroma. What would happen if you used short-grained rice, such as jasmine rice or sushi rice? The rice grains would clump and stick together—hardly the ideal texture for biryani. Rinsing and soaking the rice is a must. These steps remove excess starches (producing a gummier result) and improve texture. Now that we’ve chosen the optimal rice variety, it’s time to talk about technique.
Tips for Making Fluffy Rice
Without the proper technique, your tomato rice might be too soft, unevenly cooked, or scorch the bottom of the pan. These are some of the struggles I faced when I first learned to cook more complex rice dishes, such as biryanis and pulaos. Luckily, I’ve figured out a relatively straightforward method for cooking the rice through trial-and-error and research. There are five key steps in cooking this tomato rice: These steps can be applied to various other spiced rice dishes, so you can adapt and modify the recipe to your liking.
Essential Spices in Tomato Rice
This tomato rice recipe uses a mix of whole and ground spices. Blooming whole spices in oil creates aromatic pops throughout the dish. Ground spices permeate the rice grains to add cozy, warming flavors.
Whole spices: Cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon are classic spices used in biryani. I also add in fennel seeds, which pair well with tomato. Ground spices: Garam masala is earthy and fragrant and can be found in most major grocery stores and Indian specialty stores. For an extra fresh dose of flavor, you can make it at home.
Serve Tomato Rice as a Side or Main
You can serve tomato rice warm, or at room temperature on hotter days. While you can absolutely present the tomato rice as a main dish, I prefer to serve it as a side with raita. Pair the tomato rice with protein, such as spiced shrimp or chicken. Here are a few main dishes that would go well with the tomato rice:
Jerk Chicken Grilled Chicken with Yogurt Garlic Marinade Grilled Shrimp with Konkani-Inspired Masala Grilled Whole Fish Stuffed with Herbs and Chilies
The Riches of Rice
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Season with 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir frequently to prevent them from burning. Lower the heat to medium-low, then sauté the garlic, ginger, jalapeno halves, and cashews (if using) for 1 to 2 minutes, or until aromatic. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. With the fork, sift through and discard any whole spices. To reheat, transfer the rice to a microwave-safe container and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between until warmed through. Love the recipe? Leave us stars below!
