It’s mid-week. Which just means that energy levels of us regular 9-5 folk are slowly dying out. It’s also raining heavily outside, which means that a warm comfort meal ranks high on the wishlist! The simple solution – a one-pot meal like this Instant Pot Tomato Rice warming enough to drive away those heebee-jeebees!
One-pot meals are a great way of getting dinner on the table when you’re short on time. Sometimes all you want and need to do is put everything but the kitchen sink into one big pot and hope that it transforms into something delectable. One-pot meals are also a great way for me to clean up my fridge of leftovers. Often times, I’ve added any vegetable within arms reach into a thick hearty stew or curry.
But not today. Today, I wasn’t in the mood for a soup or stew. True, it’s droopy and cold out, but that just makes me crave for a huge helping of warm flavoured rice. My Instant Pot, as usual, came to my rescue and this aromatic Tomato Rice was served up in minutes. And then… everything was good again!
Instant Pot Tomato Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp light cooking oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp black mustard seeds
- 5-6 fresh curry leaves
- 1-2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 small onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 medium-sized tomato chopped
- 2 cups Basmati rice thoroughly rinsed and drained
- 3 cups water
- salt to taste
- a handful of fresh cilantro leaves finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode and add in the oil. Once the oil starts to heat up, add in cumin seeds, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
- As soon as the spices start to sizzle, add in the onions and garlic and fry for a few minutes till they start to lightly brown.
- Add in the spices and fry for a few seconds before adding in the tomatoes. Mix well with the spices and let it cook for about a minute, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.
- Add in the rice, water and salt, and mix well. Close the lid and set to Manual Pressure mode for 4 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally. Carefully open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork carefully. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve warm.
- Enjoy with a side of Mango Pickle and cool Cucumber Raita.
Notes
This post was originally published in May 2006 and has been recently updated.
If you liked this recipe, then you will surely enjoy my Instant Pot Chicken Pulao and Mushroom & Peas Pulao recipe as well.
Made this recipe? Rate it by clicking the number of stars on the recipe card. Want to share your version with me? Tag me on Instagram @hookedonheat
Wow!! This was so easy and so so yummy. Thank You!! I am “Hooked” to your blog 🙂
Wow!! Your pic looks really delish!! I will give a try soon.
Hi Meena,
I tried your recipe and it turned out very tasty. Thank you for sharing a nice nutritious rice dish!
Vineela
I’m glad you enjoyed it Vineela. It’s a favourite at my home as well! 🙂
Meena,
I made this yesterday and it tasted as good as it looks in the picture! Thanks for the great recipe!!
Zeenat
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Zeenat. Thanks! 🙂
I prepared this dish yday…in fact its one of our fav weekend meal. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Mehak. Thanks! 🙂
Hi Meena,
Yummy Yummy
I like the picture and recipe.
Its a healthy meal and I do make with chana and peanuts.
Let me try your recipe tomorrow.
BTW I like your samosas very much.
Vineela
Lovely picture Meena. I make this kinda rice only with rajma beans. Adding a variety of beans is great idea. Thanks for the recipe.
Meena:
The dish looks very good. I am a huge fan of the one-pot meals for the crazy days I have too. This one is a keeper :).