TOMATO PULAO/PILAF WITH MASALA SEARED TOFU

There are few ways to make Tomato rice with little variations.  Few methods involve of making tomato gojju (sauce with spices) and mixing with boiled rice.  Another way of making is like pilaf/pulao which is made in pressure cooker or a pan.  Whatever the variations and method, love Tomato based rice. The  rice which I am posting today is  Tomato pulao with Masala seared tofu, If any you don't like Tofu, I am sure you will start loving tofu this way.  Tomato with tofu is excellent combination and with some Masala you will not find any soy smell in the Tofu.  Do try and let me know how you liked it.

Click this to see another variation Tomato rice which I have posted earlier. And also stay tunned to see my childhood favorite Tomato rice which my mom makes  and packs us  for lunch.

Tomato Pulao/Pilaf with Masala Seared Tofu 

For making rice 

Ingredients :

Tomato - 1 and 1/2 cup (chopped) save 1/4 cup for Tofu

Onion - 1 big sliced

Basmati rice - 1 cup

Water - 1 and 1/4 cup

Green chilli - 2 sliced

Chilli powder - 1 tsp (add according to your spice level)

Ginger - 1/4 inch piece

Garlic - 3 pod

Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp

Few sprigs of mint leaves

Coconut Milk - 1/4 cup

Saunf - 1/4 tsp

Coriander 1 handful - chopped finely

Oil and salt

Whole spices:

Cardamom - 1

Clove - 1

Cinnamon - small piece

For Searing Tofu

Ingredients:

Tofu cubes - 2 cups

Tomato - 1/4 cup

Yogurt - 1/4 cup

Whole spices (cardamom, Clove, cinnamon) - each one

Few springs of Mint and coriander leaves

Lemon juice - 1/4 tsp

Chilli powder - 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala - 1/4 tsp

Oil and salt

Method for making Rice:

1. Make paste out of Ginger, garlic and saunf, Wash and drain Basmati rice and keep it aside.

2. Now heat oil in the pressure pan or heavy bottom pan.

3. Add the whole spices followed by slice onion, slited green chilli and ginger+garlic+saunf paste.

4. Once the raw aroma of garlic disappears.

5. Now add the Tomato and sauté till all the moisture is absorbed and you will get sauce like consistency.

6. Add Chilli powder, garam Masala powder, mint leaves and sauté.

7. Add measured water and coconut milk, add salt.

8. When it comes to boil add the drained rice.

9. Close the pressure cooker. (If you are using the normal pan close with lid and keep in very slow flame. Let it cook until all the moisture is absorbed)

10. When steam comes, put the whistle. Keep the flame to very low.

11. After 10 to 12 minutes switch off.

12. Give 10 minutes resting time, now open the cooker, add chopped coriander leaves and seared Tofu and give a slight mix.

13. Serve with your favorite Raita.

Method for Searing Tofu:

1. Heat oil in the pan; add the whole spices followed by Tofu cubes.

2. Let it sear for few minutes in all sides until light brown in color.

3. Now add all other ingredients and in slow flame let it roast. (Tomato, yogurts everything gets mushy and coats the Tofu)

4. When everything is will blended and seared, add dash of lemon juice.

5. Mix this seared tofu with rice while serving.

Note :

You can also substitute Tofu with Paneer in this recipe.

Enjoy Tomato Pulao/pilaf with Masala seared Tofu with Raita!!!

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TOMATO RICE - VER I

Usually I prepare 3 to 4 variations in Tomato rice, this is one of them.  This variation is like; we prepare tomato gojju (sauce like) ahead and mix it with cooked rice when needed.  You can also keep the gojju in the fridge and use it whenever you need it. The Tomato gojju stays good in fridge for 10 days also. This rice will have nice and tangy tomato flavor with some pods of garlic and onion. This is absolutely wonderful rice that can be made for big parties, potlucks, picnics as well as lunch box.  

 The measurement I am posting today will have extra gojju; you can store them in refrigerator for later use.  Even u can use this gojju as a side dish for idly or dosa. 

Ingredients :

Tomato( sour) - 4

Onion - 2 sliced

Green chilli - 4 sliced

Curry leaves - few

Garlic - 1o pods sliced

Red chilli powder - 1 tbsp

Saunf powder - 1 tbsp

Turmeric - 2 tsp

Salt - as required

Seasoning:

Gingelly oil (nallenai,sesame oil) - 3 tbsp

Mustard - 2 tsp

Urand and channa dhal - 2 tbsp each

Mixing rice :

Cooked rice - 1 cup

Tomato gojju prepared - as required

Salt - as needed

Oil for mixing (Gingelly oil)

Coriander leaves for garnishing

Method :

1. Heat oil in the pan and add the seasoning ingredients one by one.

2. Add the saunf powder and curry leaves.

3. Then add the garlic after it is slightly brown add the slice onion too.

4. Saute till light brown then add tomato chopped.

5. To this add salt, turmeric, chilli powder. saute until everything is well mashed and oil separates.

6. switch it off and once cooled store in air tight container.

For making rice :

Mix the gojju with rice , adjust salt and oil as needed and garnish with coriander rice. Serve with chips, vadagams, raita or Boiled egg too.

Note:

For variation you can add cooked peas to rice.

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