Tomato Briyani Recipe | Thakali Briyani Recipe | Lunch Recipes

Excited travelling to my home as I post this!! Six hours of journey and DH drives while listening to my non stop stories with his favourite music playing!!! Guess its time I stop my talk and post the draft!!! 

Tomato Briyani is a perfect lunch box recipe or a tantalizing platter in a jiffy preparation!! Its so simple, delicious, and flavourful. Perfect when served with a plate of potato chips and onion raita!!

TOMATO BRIYANI/ THAKALI BRIYANI RECIPE

Recipe Category: South Indian | Main

Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice - 1 cup
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp
Onion - 1, big, chopped 
Tomatoes - 2, medium, deseeded, chopped roughly
Coriander leaves - 1 tbsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1 tbsp
Water - 1.75 cup
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Salt - to taste
Cashew Nuts - 10, broken to small bits, fried and garnished(Optional)

To Temper:

Oil - 1 tbsp
Bay Leaf - 1
Star Anise - 1
Cloves - 3-4
Green Chillies - 2 slitted

Method of Preparation:

1. Soak basmati rice for 20 minutes. Drain and keep aside. In a pressure cooker, heat oil and temper the items under "to temper".

2. Add onions, tomatoes and coriander leaves. Saute well. Once its cooked, add the masala's: Turmeric powder, Red chilli powder, Coriander powder and salt.

3. Add the basmati rice and saute well for few seconds. Add water and bring to a boil. Add ghee and gently give a mix. Cover and pressure cook for 2 whistles and simmer over 5 minutes. Switch off and open after the pressure is released. Fluff the rice gently with a fork so that the grains do not break.

Notes:

• You can prepare this recipe with zeeraga samba rice also.
• For basmati rice: Pressure cooking ratio of rice to water in the recipe is Rice:Water::1:1.75. Use according to the variety of rice you cook with.