BON APPETIT: Gupshup Galore over Mom's Tomato Rice

Look who's grinning from ear to ear ? Yours truly is in the Pearl City happily basking in the collective love and attention from her parents and sister ----incessant laughter, din and cacophony are ruling the roost and the elegantly furnished pad of my sis looks proudly Tornado hit. I am meeting my 'lil' once upon a time partner-in crime after almost six years and yes it is a whole lot of catching up. Regular phone calls or occasional Skype hellos haven't the same magical allure of face-to-face meets and hence ceaseless banters, mindless giggling & ilk are in perpetual loop. Flashbacks and endless nostalgia follow happily too.

And you know what's the best part ? Our parents who incidentally are here have added to the zing and there is gupshup galore. Chatting away to glory we the four musketeers are also dunking down finger licking food in truckloads. It is a recipe guaranteed for groaning weighing scales and not so accommodating old jeans. But then who's complaining ;)

Amidst these amiable times, mommy dearest is bombarded with culinary requests varied. So i am either neck deep in piping hot mysore rasam one day or the very hot n happening paneer mattar the other day. I so wanted to eat one of my favorite comfort food - her simple but yum packed Tomato Rice. It boasts of fuss free flavors and one happily purring tummy :D

The spice in it is our quintessential sambhar powder and a smattering of garam masala. Sambhar powder is nothing but a medley of coriander seeds,red chilies,cumin seeds,bengal gram,fenugreek etc. The spice powder is store bought though it can be easily pulsed at home too.

What's in it :-

To temper :-

Olive Oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 2 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Red Chilli - 3 (to taste)
Garlic Pods (large) - 6 to 7 (finely chopped)
Curry Leaves - a few

For the paste :-

Onion - 4 (medium) - roughly chopped
Tomato- 3 (large)

Other ingredients

Sambhar Powder - 2 tbsp
Garam Masala - 1 tsp
salt - to taste
Turmeric Powder - 1/2tsp
Cooked Rice - 2 cups

Final Garnish {optional} :-

Roasted Peanuts - a fistful (roughly pulsed)
Coriander Leaves - few - chopped finely

Here's How :-

Grind the tomatoes and onions well and set aside. In a big kadai/pan, tip in the oil and after it warms up let the mustard and cumin seeds sizzle and crackle. Add the curry leaves and red chillis and saute it for a few seconds. Dunk the chopped garlic and let its divine aroma waft all over. Then tip in the ground paste. Let it simmer for a few minutes till the rawness of the onions and tomatoes begins to evaporate.

Finally tip in the sambhar powder, garam masala and turmeric powder. Saute well and let the whole mix be on low flame till they come together and thicken considerably. Take off flame and season it with salt to taste.

Add the cooked rice to the mixture and combine it well. Garnish it with coarsely pulsed peanuts and coriander leaves. Serve hot with choice accompaniments.