A one meal healthy and tasty dish served with raita and papad makes a great meal. The flavor of mint combined with the spices like sambar powder and garam masala, a combination which is very unique to my family, is sure to awaken your senses and widen your palate.

This can be made healthier by grating some carrots or shopping a little fenugreek leaves, spinach leaves, steamed cauliflower or any other healthy substitute of your choice. It can make a very nourishing non messy lunch box as well.

While serving smaller children you could reduce the chilli spice or omit it all together. Experiment with your own spices and get the flavor your child will like.

Serves: 4 persons

Cooking time: 20 minutes Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 3 cups chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• ¼ cup chopped onions
• 3 cloves chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon homemade sambar powder or store bought
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 2 tablespoon chopped mint
• 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil/vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ghee (optional)
• Salt to taste

Method

Cook the Rice. See Cooking Rice

Heat oil in medium heat in a pan; add cumin seeds and mustard seeds; allow it to crackle. Then add onions and garlic and sauté until the onions are tender.

Add chopped tomatoes and sauté until the tomatoes are tender and water from that them has evaporated.

Add sambar powder, garam masala powder, salt and mix well. Add mint and sauté for a few more minutes.

Once the rice is cooked and has been set aside for about 15 min to cool down, add the tomato mixture to the cooked rice.

Very slowly mix the tomato mixture into the rice. Add the ghee and stir into the rice gently.

Serve warm with raita or yogurt.

Note

White serving a child, the rice has to been cooked a little softer based on the chewing ability of the child. Can be giving to children over 12 months of age.

Extra Nutritious options

Add grated carrots and sauté it along with the tomatoes. The taste is just as great and makes it even healthier.

Filed under: South Indian

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