To begin making the Thakkali Sadam Recipe - Spicy Tomato Rice, get all the ingredients ready. 

Change the mode of the electric pressure cooker to the saute mode.

Preheat oil in the saute pan of the electric pressure cooker; once heated, add the mustard seeds and allow it to crackle.

Once it crackles, add the onions, garlic and curry leaves. Sauté until the onions are tender and golden.

Once the onions are done, add chopped tomatoes and sauté until the tomatoes are tender and water has evaporated and has formed a semi-thick paste. 

Next add in the sambar powder, turmeric powder, cardamom powder, salt and mix everything well.

Add mint leaves and sauté for a few more minutes. Finally, add the washed rice along with 1-1/4 cups of water. 

Cancel the saute mode, by going into keep warm. Press menu and set the cooking mode to rice mode. Turn the pressure nozzle to point to the pressure mode and allow the thakkali sadam to get cooked on its own.

The timer in the electric pressure cooker will automatically go off and get into keep warm mode. You can open once the pressure has released completely. 

Finally add a tablespoon of ghee or sesame oil and stir it into the thakkali sadam and serve hot.

Serve Thakkali Sadam Recipe along with Tomato Onion Cucumber Raita Recipe for a weekday lunch or dinner or even pack into your lunchbox for kids or office.