Quick Version Tomato Rice

My husband loves rice based dishes and undoubtedly this tomato bhath is one of his favorites. This gets cooked whenever I am in mood to prepare a proper version and indulge him. Nowadays an instant version is replacing it for a quick fix meal idea. Thanks to MTR tomato rice powder that we came across during our last India trip. Just like their instant puliyogare mix, this powder gets sauteed in oil and mixed with cooked rice and magically one will have tomato rice ready within minutes. 

This instant tomato rice can prepared in under five minutes if one has some cooked rice handy and only following the directions on the pack and keep it simple. I don't stick to the basic version and end up frying some chopped onion and tomatoes and mix it along with the dehydrated tomato and spice powder. I haven't tasted it as it contains garlic but my husband vouches for the taste of this no fuss tomato rice and keeps asking to prepare it often. 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Basmati rice
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp. oil
1 tbsp. cashews
1 small sprig of curry leaves
1 finely chopped small onion
1 tomato, chopped
3 tbsp. MTR tomato rice powder
Salt to taste (1/4 tsp.)

Directions:
* Rinse rice twice with water and drain the water completely. Pressure cook adding 3/4 cup water for 3 whistles. When the valve pressure is gone, remove the rice container and let the rice cool a bit. Don't try to scoop the cooked rice immediately since the rice grains may break. 
* Meanwhile, heat oil in a pan and fry cashews until golden brown. Remove them with a slotted spoon draining as much as oil as possible and keep them aside. Add curry leaves and onion to the same oil. Fry until onion turns golden brown and add tomato pieces. Cook until tomato turns mushy and add tomato rice powder and saute for about 30 seconds. Add rice and mix gently until it is coated well with the tomato mixture. Taste and add salt if needed. Mix well and serve with papad and yogurt. 

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