Lunch Box Item 2 - Tomato Pulao & Mixed Raita

Today my mother in law had prepared usual kozhambu,rasam.. But i wanted to take something different for lunch.. the easiest and tasiest thing i could think of is tomato pulao.. it tastes best with this raita.. Here goes the recipe..



Ingredients:
Boiled Rice - 4 ladles(to mix wit the paste according to taste)
Tomato - 3(Medium-sized)(Chopped)
Onion - 2(chopped)
Cloves - 4
Bayleaf - 1/2
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Channa/gram dal - 1/2 tsp
Oil/Ghee - 2 tsp

Powders:
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste

Method:
Heat oil/ghee in a tawa.
Add mustard seeds to it and let them splutter(set aside some for raita).
Add channa dal and saute till golden colour.
Add cloves,bayleaf and chopped onions.
Saute for 3-4min till onions turn light brown.
Add chopped tomatoes and add the powders.
Add little water for tomatoes to soften and saute for 5 min till the paste thickens.
Put off the flame.
Spread boiled rice over the paste and keep aside for 5 min to let it cool.
Mix the rice with the paste thoroughly without breaking the rice.
Tasty tomato pulao is ready.

Mixed Raita:
Carrot - 1(grated)
Tomato - 1(chopped)
Green chilli-1(chopped)
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
Thick curd - 1 cup
Salt to taste

Method:
Add Carrot,tomato amd salt in a bowl.
Heat oil and let mustard seeds to splutter.
Add green chilli and mix it in the bowl.
Add thick curd and mix thoroughly.
Raita is ready to serve.