Tomato Bath- Karnataka Tomato Pulao

Tomato bath recipe is a delicious one pot dish from Karnataka cuisine. It is a tasty variation of tomato rice with addition of vegetables and whole spices. Vegan and gluten free.

Quick, easy and tasty breakfast and brunch dishes are immensely popular in Karnataka, especially in udupi hotels and darshinis.

Whenever I want to make something quick and easy in less than 30 minutes, I resort to one pot rice recipes.

In south Indian cuisine you would find an array of such dishes like lemon rice, coconut rice, ghee rice, bisi bele bath, sambar rice and of course tomato bath.

It is something I first tasted in Bangalore and liked a lot. It is a cross between tomato rice and veg pulao. This has the nice tangy tangy taste of the thakkali sadam with added vegetables and some whole spices for the subtle flavor.

Like with any popular dish, there are many ways to make this dish too. Here I am sharing a detailed method of how I make it with few brief variations you can try.

About This Tomato Pulao Recipe

Tomato bath is a Karnataka style tomato pulao or rice recipe made with vegetables, rice and some whole spices. It is a simple and easy one pot dish that gets ready in 20 minutes.

Another popular variation of this dish is with a spicy masala paste made of coconut, coriander leaves and spices.

I make both and even few more variations but this recipe of Karnataka style tomato bath stands out for its simplicity.

Even without any ground masala or spice paste, this dish is so flavorful yet the spices are not overpowering. The flavors and taste of the vegetables shine through and there is that slight tang from tomatoes which I love.

This is a very tasty dish that you can easily make and pack in lunch box or prepare for sudden guests too.

It is super easy to make tomato bath at home. All you need are rice, mixed vegetables, onion tomato and few whole spices.

You can any vegetables that you use for veg pulao. I usually add potato, carrot, green peas, cauliflower, beans, corn in this recipe.

Few recipes call for beetroot but I feel they totally change the flavor and color of this rice. You can add if you like.

Next you can make this rice with both short grain rice like sona masuri, jeeraga samba or long grain rice like basmati rice. See notes for more options. I have used basmati this time.

This rice can be made in an instant pot, pressure cooker or in a pan. You can also use leftover rice for making this, see notes for all the variations.

I hope you will try this tomato bath recipe and enjoy. Here is why this recipe is wonderful. It is

super easy and quick to make

one pot dish

vegan and gluten free

full of vegetables

perfect to pack in lunch box

How To Make Tomato Bath Recipe

Preparation

Pick and rinse 1 cup rice once or twice. Soak rice in water for 15 minutes. You can use sona masoori or basmati. Drain excess water in a colander and spread the rice on a plate and set aside until we chop the vegetables.

Next, rinse, peel if needed and chop the vegetables for tomato bhath as mentioned below.

3 large tomatoes – finely chopped or minced

1 large onion- thinly sliced

1/4 cup chopped carrots from 1 medium carrot

1/2 cup chopped potatoes from 2 medium potatoes

1/3 cup peas (Fresh or frozen green peas)

1/4 cup beans, chopped

1/2 cup mint leaves, tightly packed

3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves

Making Karnataka Style Tomato Bath

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a pressure cooker. Add the whole spices namely

1 bay leaf

1 black cardamom

2 green cardamoms

1/2 inch cinnamon stick

2 cloves

1 teaspoon cumin seeds. Saute the spices for 30 seconds.

Once the spices turn aromatic add 2 slit green chilies, 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger and 2 cloves minced garlic or 2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste. Saute well a minute.

Now add rinsed mint leaves and saute for another few seconds.

Next add sliced onions and saute till they turn a bit soft.

Once onions turn soft, add the chopped tomatoes. Mix well.

Now add the chopped vegetables, salt to taste and mix well. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Now add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder. Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes or until tomatoes turn a bit soft.

Add the drained rice and mix well. Saute till the moisture from rice dries out.

Now add 2 cups water and mix very gently. Bring to a gentle boil.

Close the pressure cooker and pressure cook for 2 whistles or 10 minutes in medium flame. Once the pressure settles down, open the cooker and fluff the rice with a fork. Add chopped coriander leaves and mix. Tomato bath is ready to serve.

Variations

Tomato bath in instant pot

Place the inner cooking insert inside your instant pot and switch it on. Press saute mode.

Once it displays hot, fry the spices followed by ginger garlic, green chillies, mint leaves and onions.

Next add tomatoes and spice powders like red chilli powder. Mix and cook until tomatoes turn soft.

Add the chopped vegetables and mix.

Finally add the drained rice and mix. Also add salt to taste and 1.75 cup water.

Cancel saute, close the instant pot and press pressure cook or manual mode. Position pressure valve to seal. Set timer for 6 minutes.

Once done let pressure release for 10 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure gently and open the IP.

Fluff the tomato bath gently and add coriander leaves. Mix and serve.

Stovetop method in a pan

Use a heavy deep pan or kadai with a fitting lid for this.

Just follow the recipe as mentioned in the step by step guide till adding rice.

After sautéing rice add 2.5 cups water and bring to a gentle boil. Close with a lid and cook in low flame for 8-10 minutes or until rice is done.

Open and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Serve tomato bath warm.

Tomato bath with ground masala

For this method of tomato bath recipe we will prepare a fresh spice paste for flavor.

Add 3 tablespoons grated coconut, 1/4 cup mint leaves, 3 green chilies, 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds, 6 whole cashews and 1 inch ginger piece and 2 garlic in a small mixer grinder jar. Grind to smooth paste.

Heat oil and fry the whole spices. Add onions and saute well followed by tomatoes. Add the ground masala paste and saute very well. Now add the vegetables and mix followed by rice. Mix well, add salt and water. Mix and cook un your preferred method until rice is cooked.

Serving Suggestions & Storage

You can serve this tomato bath both warm and at room temperature. It tastes wonderful one or more of the following sides

veg raita

onion raita, cucumber raita

potato fry, arbi fry

papad

plain yogurt

You can also let this cool and pack in lunch box.

You can store the leftovers in refrigerator for 2 days, reheat and serve.

Tips + Faqs

Which rice is best for making tomato bath.

To make this recipe you can use any rice of your choice. I mostly make it with basmati or south Indian jeeraga samba as they are more flavorful.

You can also use any day to day rice. Brown rice or quinoa can be used. Just adjust water content accordingly.

Which tomatoes are best for this rice.

Desi tomatoes with a bit of tangy taste yields more flavorful rice.

Can I make this rice without vegetables?

Yes just add 1 more tomato and 1.75 cups of rice instead of 1 cup mentioned in the recipe.

More Karnataka Recipes

Khara bath

akki roti

kesari bath

vangi bath

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