Tomato Biryani Recipe : Tangy Restaurant Styled Rice!

8 years ago

Do you like the tangy taste of tomatoes? Are you fascinated by the flavors of this tiny little fruit or vegetable? The Tomato Biryani Recipe is the traditional rice dish of South Indian Cuisine with the tomato as the core element alongside the spice powders and other Indian condiments. Biryani may be common to us but the term “tomato biryani” might have been heard rare. Whether you know or not, do not worry! You can make this biryani, the way it is comfortable for you to cool. Also, you can use any homely ingredients you wish to apart from the tomatoes. The combination of taste, texture and fragrance in this tomato biryani is commendable.

Tomato Biryani

  • Author:
  • Recipe Category: Rice Dish
  • Cuisine: Indian

Description: The Tomato Biryani Recipe is the traditional south Indian rice dish with the tomato as the core element along the spice powders and other Indian condiments

Tomato Biryani Recipe

Ingredients for Tomato Biryani Recipe:

  • Basmati Rice – 2 cups
  • Finely Sliced Onion – 1 piece ( Medium Size )
  • Tomato Puree – 1¼ cup
  • Green Peas – 1 cup
  • Biryani Masala – ¾ tsp.
  • Coriander Powder/ Dhania Powder – 1 tsp.
  • Oil – 2 tbsp.
  • Ginger Garlic Paste – 1½ tsp.
  • Water – 3 cups
  • Bay Leaf/ Tej Patta – 1 unit
  • Cinnamon/ Dalchini – 2 unit each of 2 inch
  • Javitri/ Mace – 1 strand
  • Green Cardamom/ Elaichi – 3 units
  • Cloves/ Laung – 4 units
  • Salt To Taste
  • Red Chili Powder – ½ tsp.

Note: You can use the ripened tomatoes and make the fresh tomato puree at home. Use patanjali basmati rice while cooking.

You can use any cooking oil such as vegetable oil, peanut oil, sesame seed oil, or sunflower oil. I recommend you to use saffola oil. If you prefer the spicier biryani, then consider adding 1 green chili. Also to enhance the flavors of the rice dish, you can use other spice powders like Garam Masala Powder, Turmeric Powder or Amchur Powder.

Optional Ingredients:

  • Carrots – 1 cup
  • Beans – ¾ cup
  • Sauf Powder – ½ tsp.
  • Chopped Mint Leaves/ Pudina – ¾ cup

Note: You can use any other vegetable of your choice to add in the biryani.

The Method for Tomato Biryani Recipe:

Pre- preparation:

  • Wash the rice under the fresh water tap and clean it properly for 3 to 4 times. Soak rice in water for 30 minutes.
  • Till the time rice is soaking do other preparation such as to make the puree of tomatoes. Rinse, clean and roughly chop the tomatoes. Blend them to the paste.
  • When the rice is soaked for the required time, transfer it to the bowl and drain the excess water.
  • Rinse and chop all the vegetables you are using.
  • If you are using mint leaves then cut them finely.

Note: You can also cut the very tiny pieces of tomatoes or grate the halved cut tomatoes. If you are using green chilies, then remove the seeds from green chilies while you are chopping them.

Making Biryani:

  • Heat the 2 tbsp. of oil in a pressure cooker.
  • When the oil becomes hot add whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, green cardamom, mace, cloves.
  • Fry the spices for few seconds and wait till they crackle and make noise.
  • Once, they start releasing the aroma, add the finely sliced onions.
  • Sauté the onions and while they are getting translucent, also mix in the ginger garlic paste. Sauté the mixture until raw smell goes and it becomes fragrant.
  • Now add approximately ½ cup of tomato puree and mix well. Cook for 3 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the spices red chili powder, coriander powder, biryani masala, and salt. Mix well.
  • Add Sauf powder at this point. Let the condiments combine well with each other.
  • If you are using mint leaves add them at this point along with spices.
  • Cook until the puree thickens and oil starts separating from the sides.
  • Now add all the chopped veggies you have.
  • Sauté the vegetables for 2-3 minutes.
  • When you see the veggies have cooked, then add drained soaked rice.
  • Pour in some water approximately ½ cup to the cooker. Mix everything well.
  • Check for the seasoning, and add any spice powder or salt if you feel the need.
  • If you want to make this in a pressure cooker then cover the lid when water comes to a boil. And cook for up to 1 whistle.
  • If making in a pot then cover partially with the lid and stir occasionally.
  • While making in a pot if required you can add some extra water also but do keep a check so that the rice do not become overcooked. This will require some experience and experiment too.
  • If making in a pressure cooker then open the lid when the air escapes its own.

And the tasty Tomato biryani is ready to eat.

Note: You can make the biryani is the pan as well. But if you are making the rice in the pan, then always use the thick-bottomed pan from rice to keeping burned.

Additional Information:

  • Calories: 258 calories
  • Total Time: PT30M
  • Serves: 4
  • Date Published:

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No wonder that tomatoes are tagged as “nutritional dense functional food” due to their immense health benefits and nutrient values. It is immensely impressive to know what good does the consumption of tomatoes does to our health. They are not only good for the health of our heart but also reduces diabetes, prevents constipation, curbs depression, improves eyesight, skin and good during pregnancy. There are various ways to include tomatoes in our diet and one such is tangy and tasty biryani. It is easy, simple and quick to prepare when you are lacking with the meal ideas on a busy day.

The taste of this tangy tomato biryani can be adjusted to mildly spicy or extra spicy according to the taste suitable for your palates. Always pluck the ripened and fresh tomatoes for the tomato puree. If you are using peas then you can choose either frozen or fresh peas. But the rest the vegetable you use should be fresh. For the creamier texture, you may add the almond or cashew paste. Even the coconut milk or vegetable stock provides the smooth texture. The spices, condiments, and herbs used give both the flavors and the fragrance to the tomato biryani. You can skip adding any if you want.

The yummy taste and the colorful look of the tangy tomato biryani are luring to the taste buds as well as appealing to eyes. Cook delicious resultant style tomato biryani at home in minutes. You may prepare the tomato rice in the pan, in pot or in the cooker as per your choice. There is a minor tweak in the way it’s cooked when compared with other restaurant styled biryanis. You do not have to prepare it in a layer, simply prepare the masala mixture, add the rice, and allow it to cook. It is a one meal dish which can be served for breakfast, mid-day meal, dinner or for any parties. Check the simple steps with the detailed instructions, and surprise your loved ones!

Remarks:

  • Total time of cooking for Tomato Biryani Recipe is 30 minutes
  • The measure proportion of ingredients serves 4 people
  • Instead of making tomato puree, finely chopped tomatoes can be used.
  • The addition of vegetables enhances the taste of biryani. You can add broccoli, corn, cauliflower, spring onions, beans or baby corns.
  • You can use frozen peas also.
  • For the creamier texture, you may use ½ cup of coconut milk or the vegetable stock. And if you are using any of them then reduce the quantity of water. If you do have coconut milk, then you can substitute it with whole milk.
  • Biryani can be made in an electric pressure cooker also.
  • You can use nuts in the roasted form or the in the paste form. E.g. Roasted chopped cashews or the cashew paste.
  • If the tomatoes are too tangy, then add pinches of sugar to balance the taste.

Garnishing:

Transfer the hot biryani from the pan to the serving bowl. Serve it warm with any type of Raita along with pickle and crunchy Papad. Garnish the tomato biryani with:

  • Coriander Leaves/ Mint leaves.
  • Grated Cheese
  • Paneer Cubes
  • Tomato Slices
Quick Tip:
  • If you are making this dish for the party menu, then make roasted tomato soup for the appetizer.
  • Having this tomato biryani with the plain tomato curry can be the best option if you are looking for a heavy weighted super.

Once the tomato biryani is prepared, you can store in the fridge and use it for the whole one day. It is the perfect option when thinking about packing the tiffin for the school of your kids or for the office. Give it with the fresh salad along with chilled Raita in the summers.

The delicious Hyderabadi Biryani is again of the popular biryani dish which you can try at home. The other types of rice dish which might interest you are Jeera Rice, Mango Rice, Masala Rice, Ghee Rice, Beetroot Rice, Mint Rice and Pulao such as Paneer Pulao, Pea Pulao and much such more. Even you can try to make international rice dishes such as Herb Rice, Vegetarian Paella, Portuguese Tomato Rice and Spanish rice.

For all the tomato lovers, if you are interested in other recipes made from tomato then you may like to check Tomato Upma, Tomato Soup, Tomato Chutney or Onion-Tomato Chutney, Tomato Salsa Dip, Chunky Salsa with Tomato, Tomato Ketchup, Tomato Rasam, Tomato Pulao, Tomato Salad, Tomato Sambar, Tomato Rice, Tomato Raita, Tomato Bhaji, Tomato Sandwich, Tomato Uttapam, Tomato Pizza, Tomato Bruschetta and various other dishes can be made from only tomatoes.
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Image Credit : Geethsdawath.com

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