My first week was Cooking without Fire for Kids and I actually managed to make 7 different dishes that were so well received by my kids. So I am sure I will be making them again for them.
Coming to the second group, I decided to do a 3 day of Microwave Cooking and 4 days of Condiments. Yes, you guessed it right, if not like this I might never make any dish for my own events. I am celebrating the 4th year anniversary of Microwave Easy Cooking. As I had said earlier, my aim to create an event that will be helpful for working folks.
Initially, my thoughts were to have something to do with Lunch Box Recipes. But later based on the reader's choice, decided to have one with Microwave. I have my own Lunch Box recipes that I was posting every week for almost 3 years. I want to be regular in posting those, but starting a Microwave Easy Cooking Event, I never really realized the event will get into its 5th year!
For the better part of my microwave usage of my old microwave oven, I mostly used it for reheating, etc. But after I got my new one, I made sure I make the best. I never realized how easy and useful it has been since.
Even when I am not working entirely in my microwave, I use it extensively as a help to my regular stovetop cooking. I mostly boil my vegetables in the microwave. But just for the event and to generally use the microwave oven more, I end up making the entire dish in the oven.
Since I have a Microwave Convection Oven, most recipes come with a combination mode of cooking. But I wanted to concentrate on recipes that are done only in microwave mode.
Tomato Pulao is a favorite at home and since I wanted to make some party dishes, this naturally came to mind. I made this for Sunday lunch and none could recognize that it was completely made in the microwave.
I also make Thakkali Sadam which is a favorite mixed rice variety.
Step by Step Picture Recipe
Add 2 tsp ghee, 1 tsp oil in a microwave-safe bowl along with cumin seeds, javitri. Microwave for 2 mins.
Remove and add the ground spices, micro for 2 mins. the ground masala was very stiff, maybe 1 min is fine.
Remove add onions, green chili, and micro for 2 mins.
After 2 mins, it looks like this.
Added fresh peas
Microwave for 2 mins
Washed Rice that was soaked for 15 mins.
After mixing well.
Added tomato juice, added chili powder, turmeric powder
This is after 15 mins.
After 20 mins
After 25 mins,
Kept it covered for 5 mins
Served with Aloo Paneer Kofta curry, our Sunday lunch.
Microwave Tomato Rice / Pulao
Basmati Rice - 2 & 1/2 cups
Tomatoes ripe and juicy - 5 medium
Onion - 1 big
Fresh Peas - 1 small cup
Green chilies - 4 nos
Bay leaf - 1
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Javathri / Javatri / Mace - 2
Turmeric powder a pinch
Red Chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Ghee - 2 tsp
Oil - 1 tsp
Spices to be ground
Garlic - 7 pods
Ginger - 3"
Fennel Seeds - 1 tsp
Cloves - 3
Cinnamon - 2 "
- Make about 1 & 1/2 tsp of paste.
How to make Tomato Pulao
Soak basmati rice for 15 mins. Drain and keep aside
Make a coarse paste of the spices to be ground. Puree the tomatoes and keep it aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, add ghee and oil. Add cumin seeds, javitri. Micro for 2 mins.
Then add onions julienne and slit the green chilies. Micro for 2 mins. Followed by the ground masala for 2 mins.
Once done, add fresh peas and micro for 2 mins.
Drain the rice and add it to the bowl. Mix everything well. then add the tomato puree which is added to 4 glasses of water. If you are using regular rice, you can use a 1: 2 ratio, if you are using Basmati, then make it 1 & 1/2 cups. When you add tomato puree, the water measurement will increase, so take care.
Add chili powder and turmeric. Salt should be added in the last 10 mins of cooking.
Microwave for 20 mins.
Check after 10 mins are done, stir well, and keep it back.
After 15 mins, remove, add salt, and mix well. Micro again for the remaining time. If required you can microwave for 5 more mins.
Once done, keep it closed for 5 mins. This way the rice gets done well.
harini-jaya says
that's a good one.
divya says
Slurp...Mouthwatering!
Divya Vikram says
MW thakkali saatham looks yummy Valli. Somehow I cannot get myself cooking rice dishes in MW> Wil have to try it next time 🙂
ANU says
awesome recipe...sounds very easy!
veena krishnakumar says
Tomato Rice looks yummm and that too cookedin a very less time.One mor recipe added to my microwve cooking
Aarthi says
This looks too good....Yummy one...Thanks for the recipe
Nirmala's kitchen says
Seems to be very easy.Looks delicious!!Will try out soon
Jane says
Looks very easy to make and delicious too! I'm afraid that I don't use my microwave for any cooking except re-heating. I prefer to use the stove top.
Priya says
Looks wonderful,anything with tomato as rice is my fav..
jayasree says
Lovely step-by-step pics...Its been a long time since I made this. Got to make it soon.
The Pumpkin Farm says
This is indeed pretty, I was bit wary about tomato pulav as it always turns out soggy, but I think doing it in microwave gives us the perfect control on the water content, will definitely attempt and post my version.
Rajani says
That's nice and easy!
Smitha says
thats a very yummy and easy way to make pulao...loving it and also the side dish!
Priya's Feast says
This is my fav rice and easy breezy one..happy to blog with u
Suma Gandlur says
Looks good.
I am realizing now that I had a microwave tomato pulao in my drafts. LOL.
Vardhini says
I have not used the MW for cooking. Pulao looks simple and tasty.
Usha says
It looks so easy!
sushma says
Too good Valli........will give it a try for sure
Srivalli says
Thank you everybody!
I was glad when a reader tried it right away and got back saying her family loved it!
Cool Lassi(e) says
What an easy and delectable looking tomato pulao! I use my microwave only for heating and such. Dunno why I am hesitant to put it to good use like make things from start to finish!