Tomato Rice / Thakkali Sadham

This is my grandma style Thakkali sadham / Tomato Rice with garlic. I love all my Grandma's recipes and this tomato rice is one of my favorite. The freshly ground spices n more whole garlic which she adds to this tomato thokku gives more flavor n unique taste to the rice. Love this tangy and flavorful rice. I stayed in my Grandma's place for 2 years and did schooling there, this tomato rice fills my lunch box at least once in a week along with fryums or potato fry. She always use sesame oil/gingely oil to make this tomato thokku which really enhances the flavor and taste and also the shallots/pearl onions/chinna vengayam doubles the taste n flavor. But in the updated version I used big onions only. You can also use which ever available but chinna vengayam gives nice taste. Do give it a try & let me know how you liked it. Now to the recipe...

Ingredients

1. Cooked rice      2 cups
2. Tomato         5 no.s(finely chopped)
3. Small onion/pearl onions   10 no.s (cut in length wise)    
4. or Onions         1 large (sliced)                                              
5. Green chili          4 no.s
6. dry red chili         2 no.s
7. Garlic                 10-12 flakes
8. Ginger                 1 tsp(finely chopped)
9. Turmeric Powder     1/2 tsp
10. Salt    to taste
11. Cilantro/Coriander leaves      2 tbsp finely chopped)

To Temper

1. Oil        2-3 tbsp
2. Mustard seeds       1/2 tsp
3. Chana dal & Urad dal      1/2 tbsp each
4. Curry leaves       1 sprig
5. Dry Red chili       1 no.

To Dry Roast & Grind

1. Fennel seeds      1 tsp
2. Cinnamon      2" stick or less

Method

• Dry roast fennel seeds and cinnamon thin grind it to a fine coarse powder and keep aside. 
• Heat oil in a kadai, add mustard seeds when it pop add chana and urad dal fry golden brown. 

• Then add dry red chilies, garlic, onions, curry leaves, green chilies, ginger and fry till onions get translucent. 
• Now add tomatoes and turmeric powder, sprinkle little salt and cook till it becomes mushy. 

• Then add the roasted fennel and cinnamon powder and enough salt, mix well and add 1/4 cup water and Cook for another 4-5 minutes or one boil.

• Lastly add chopped cilantro/coriander leaves and switch off the stove. 
• Now the tomato thokku is ready, Mix this with the cooked rice, check salt n taste- add more thokku if needed...
• once done serve this Tangy n Yummy Tomato Rice with chips/papads or potato fry, kathrikkai varuval or any desired sides.

Notes:

This tomato thokku stays good in the fridge for a week.

For this rice, use sona masoori or any regular cooking rice for authentic taste but u can also use basmati rice.

If u r planning to store it for a week or more, cook the thokku without moisture like thick paste and also use more oil(sesame oil) - 4-5 tbsp while tempering.

to get the real taste n flavor do not omit the freshly ground spices.