Thakkali Sadham - Home style

Category:  Lunch / Rice
Preparation Time: 10 mins 
Cooking Time: 30 mins
Servings: 3-4

Thakkali Sadham:)

 Tomato Rice / Thakkali Sadham - there are so many varieties of it and this one is adapted from my mom's recipe:)

Ingredients:

• Rice - 1 cup
• Tomato, chopped- 3 nos
• Onion, thinly sliced - 1 no
• Green chillies, slitted - 2-3 (adjust spiciness)
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves - few
• Coriander & Mint leaves - handful
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Annasi poo - 1
• Bay leaf - 1
• Oil - 1 - 2 tbsp
• Salt - to taste 
• Water - as required

Grind to paste:

• Ginger - 1 1/2 inch piece
• Garlic cloves - 4-5 nos
• Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
• Cloves - 3 nos
• Fennel seeds - 1 tsp
• Poppy seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Cashews - 5-6 nos (Optional)
• Small onion - 2-3 nos

Method:

1. Soak rice in enough water for atleast 30 mins
2. Grind the above given ingredients into fine paste by adding little water
3. Heat oil in the pressure cooker, once it's hot, add mustard seeds then add Annasi poo and Bay leaf, fry for 30 secs
4. Add curry leaves, green chillies and onions, saute well till onions become soft and transparent
   
5. Then add the ground paste, saute for 2 mins till nice aroma arises
   
6. Add chopped tomatoes, little salt and turmeric powder, saute well for 5 mins till it turns mushy
   
7. Add the soaked and drained rice, mix well; then add enough water (2 cups), required salt and allow to boil
   
8. Once it starts to boil, add coriander and mint leaves (keep few leaves for adding at the final stage) mix well, close with lid
   
9. Cook for 2 whistles and reduce the flame to low for 5 mins
10. Switch off and wait till the pressure releases
    
11. Then add the coriander & mint leaves and mix gently without breaking the rice grains
    
12. Serve hot with Raita or Ghee - Yummy:)