Tomato Rice ( Tomato Biryani)

Another variety flavored rice cooked with tomatoes.

Preparation Time : 15 mins
Soaking Time : 30 mins
Cooking Time : 40 to 45 mins
Serves : 4 to 5

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice - 2 cups
Oil - 3 tblspn
Cinnamon / Pattai - 2 inch stick
Cardamom / Yelakai - 4
Shahjeera/Jeera - 2 tsp
Onion - 1 large sliced thinly
Green Chilli - 2 pricked with a knife 
Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 tblspn
Tomatoes - 4 large Chopped finely
Chilly powder - 2 tsp
Turmeric Powder / Manjal Podi - 1 tsp 
Garam Masala Powder - 1 tblspn
Salt to taste
Coriander Leaves - 1/4 cup finely chopped
Mint Leaves - 1/4 cup finely chopped 
Water - 2 cup / 500 ml (same cup you used for measuring rice) 
curd – 1 cup
khasoori methi – 1 tblspoon
Method: 
1. Wash and soak basmati rice for 30 mins. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat oil in a kadai. Add in cinnamon, shahjeera and cardamom. Let them sizzle for a min.

3. Now add in onions and green chillies. Saute them till golden brown. Add salt to make onions crunchy.

4. Add in ginger garlic paste and saute for a min.

5. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder and garam masala powder. Mix well.

6. Now add curd and mix with the masala well.

7. Now add in the chopped tomatoes and mix them all with the  masala. Let them cook for 2 mins until tomatoes turn mushy.
8. Add, khasoori methi to the mixture and stir well.
9. Add in coriander and mint leaves to the mixture. The masala is done.
10. Add rice and water to this masala and mix well. Keep the lid on the kadai and let the rice cook for 15 minutes on medium flame.
11.  After 15 minutes, take the lid off and check if the rice is done. If not, then sprinkle handful of water on the rice and keep the lid on and cook for 5 mins on medium flame.
12. Serve hot with Raitha.