Tomato Rice

Ingredients:

• Rice- 2 cups
• Tomatoes- 300 gms
• Green Chilies- 4-5 slit vertically
• Onion- 2 big, sliced
• Potato- 1 big, cut into 1 inch pieces
• Carrot- 2 medium, cut into 1 inch pieces
• Capsicum- 1 medium, cut into 1 inch pieces (Optional)
• Beans- 6, cut into 1 inch pieces (Optional)
• Green Peas- 1/8 cup (Optional)
• Coriander leaves- a small bunch, roughly chopped
• Salt- 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
• Water- 4 cups

For Grinding:

• Coconut - 1/4 cup pieces
• Mint Leaves- a small handful
• Cloves- 3
• Cinnamon- 1 inch stick
• Coriander seeds- 1 tbsp
• Poppy seeds- 1/2 tsp (Khas khas)
• Ginger- 1 12 inch, peeled
• Garlic cloves- 4-6, peeled
• Water- 1/8 cup

For Tempering:

• Oil- 4-6 tbsp
• Mustard seeds- 1 tbsp
• Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
• Asafoetida- 1/4 tsp
• Bay leaves- 25-3 dry (Washed)

Method:

1. Cut all the vegetables and keep those ready to cook.
2. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan and mustard seeds, cumin seeds and asafoetida.
3. As mustard splatters, add green chilies and bay leaves.
4. Now add sliced onion and mix. 
5. Meanwhile prepare the masala by grinding the listed ingredients to a smooth paste. Add water as required. 
6. When the onions turn light brown add the cut vegetables and mix well.
7. Let those soften. Add some water, if required. 
8. Now grind the tomatoes after roughly chopping those. It need not be a smooth paste.
9. Just give it a rough blend so that it releases juices and there are still some tomato pieces left.
10. Wash and soak rice for about 10-15 minutes. 
11. As the vegetables soften add the ground spice paste, turmeric powder and cook for 3 minutes. Next add the tomato paste and mix well. 
12. After 3 more minutes add the soaked rice (without water) and mix well. Let it cook for 1 minute.
13. Now add water, salt. Mix well. 
14. Cover with lid and let it cook till the rice is completely cooked. 
15. Keep the heat on simmer to medium. Add the chopped coriander leaves and mix. 
16. Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
17. Serve with raita or salad.