Thakkali sadam, south-indian style tomato rice, a mildly spice mixed rice made with juicy ripe tomatoes and cooked rice.
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What is Thakkali Sadam?
Thakkali sadam, tomato rice, a simple mixed rice recipe made with juicy tomatoes and simple spices available in the pantry. In Tamil language, thakkali means ‘tomato’ and sadam means ‘rice’, so thakkali sadam literally means tomato rice.
Thakkali sadam, a regular at many south-indian homes. It is one of the quick lunch box dish, to pack in the morning rush in many house-holds. Some prefer to make the tomato thokku/masala ahead, so it is easy to just mix in the cooked rice and pack dabba.
This scrumptious thakkali rice, can be easily made for a crowd and for festivities . Since this recipe is a No onion, no garlic recipe, it is also apt as pooja neivedhiyam.
What is Mixed Rice?
This thakkali sadam is a mixed rice recipe or kalandha sadam . The tomato masala and rice is cooked separately and finally mixed together to make thakkali sadam. In South-Indian cuisine, we have many such mixed rice recipes. Some of the popular mixed rice recipes are Coconut rice and Lemon rice . We even make herbs mixed rice, like this curry leaves rice, coriander seeds rice.
How to make Thakkali Sadam
Please check recipe card below for exact measurements of each ingredient used and also for the detailed instructions.
- Wash and rinse 1 cup rice, Add twice the amount of water, either pressure cook or cook in open pan, until it is soft and fluffy. Let the rice cool completely. I have used basmati here, you can also use short-grain rice also.
- While the rice is cooking, let us make the tomato masala. Wash and chop the tomatoes, chilies and ginger. Pound the coriander seeds and keep aside.
- In a hard bottom pan, heat oil, add tempering, throw in the chopped tomatoes. To this add spice powders, salt and water. Let this cook to a saucy consistency.
- After 10 minutes, add the cooked rice to this and mix well.
- Finally add the coriander and mint leaves, turn it off. Let is rest for 10 minutes.
- Then serve warm with any side of your choice. A simple raita and chips or appalam will be a suitable combo with this sort of mixed rice varieties.
South-Indian Tomato Rice | Thakkali Sadam
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice i have used basmati, short grain can also be used
- 4 nos ripe tomatoes chopped
- 3 nos green chilies chopped
- ½ inch piece of ginger chopped
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander seeds, pounded
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tbsp oil any cooking oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ⅛ tsp hing/asafoetida
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- few coriander and mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Wash and rinse rice, soak for 15 minutes. Add twice the amount of water and either pressure cook or cook it in a open pan or microwave cook. Cook it soft and fluffy. Let this rest until needed.
- While the rice is cooking, let us make the tomato masala. Wash and chop tomatoes, chilies and ginger.
- Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan, splutter mustard seeds, add hing, curry leaves, green chilies and ginger.
- To this sizzling tempering, add the chopped tomatoes, and saute for 2 minutes.
- Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder and freshly pounded coriander powder and garam masala. Add 1/2 cup of water to this and mix well. Let this cook to a saucy consistency.
- After 5-8 minutes in a medium flame, the tomatoes would have turned into a mush and the rawness of the spices would have disappeared.
- The masala should be saucy, to this add cooked rice and mix well. Check and adjust salt.
- Add the coriander and mint leaves. Switch off the stove and let it sit covered for 10 minutes then serve warm with side of your choice.
Video
Notes
- I have used basmati in this recipe, short grain rice can also be used. Whichever rice you use, cook accordingly. The rice should be done well and also fluffy.
- The masala should be saucy in consistency, not dry, if dry add 1/4 cup of water, mix well and bring it to saucy consistency.
- A saucy masala, helps the rice to absorb the flavors better, so as the rice rests, it gains more flavor and taste better when packed for lunch.
Serve this flavorsome thakkali sadam with a raita of your choice and chips by the side. My lil one enjoys it with plain curd and chips.
Some raita recipes
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An old recipe from 2011, updated with new pictures and content.
easy lunch box , yummy, I am preparing regularly. but i am not addingcoconut milk, next time i try this type
Looks very interesting..easy to carry..
Yumm,super flavourful tomato rice,looks inviting.
Very healthy and delicious.
Tomato rice is one of my favorite rice. Looks yummy.
Vardhini
Event: Sinful Delights
Event: Stuffed Paratha
Looks so good. Lovely colour too
Looks yummy and delicious….
Simple and delicious tomato rice.
Very easy to put together! I am a big fan of this rice!
Thakkali saadam is one of my fav rice. Looks divine…