To begin making the Thakkali Sadam Recipe - Spicy Tomato Rice, get all the ingredients ready. Make sure you have cooked rice ready.

You can use left over rice for this or even cooked rice. Place the cup of washed rice in a pressure cooker and add 2 cups of water. Pressure cook for 2 whistles and turn the heat to low. Simmer for 3 minutes and turn off the heat. Allow the pressure to release naturally. Once release keep the rice aside. 

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan; add cumin seeds and mustard seeds; allow it to crackle. Then add onions, ginger and garlic and sauté until the onions are tender and golden.

Add chopped tomatoes and grated carrots; sauté until the tomatoes and carrots are tender and the moisture has evaporated.

Continue to cook until the mixture looks like a semi-thick paste. Stir in the chopped curry leaves at this point.

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

Add mint leaves and sauté for a few more minutes. Gradually stir in the cooked rice to the tomato mixture and fold the thakkali sadam gently so that all ingredients are well combined.

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

Serve Thakkali Sadam recipe / tomato rice along with Boondi Raita and Kachumber Salad for a weekday lunch or dinner.