Tomoto - Peas Biryani

Ingredients

• Basmati Rice - 3 cups
• Peas - 1 cup
• Red Onion(lengthwise cut) - 2
• Tomoto (chopped) -4
• Green Chilles(split) - 3
• Ginger & Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp 
• Mint leaves - 2 to 3 stem 
• Coriander leaves(Cilantro) - 10 stems
• Garam masala Powder -1/2 tbsp 
• Chilli Powder - 1/2 tbsp
• Biryani Masala Powder - 1/2 tbsp 
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tbsp 
• Ghee and oil - 4 tbsp 
• Cinnamon sticks - 4 
• Cardamom pods - 3 
• Cloves - 5 
• Salt - to taste 

Preparation :

Cook the peas in microwave oven or boil them for 10 mins. 

Wash the Rice and soak it in water for 15 min. Put it in the rice cooker … add 4 cups of water and let it start cooking in quick rice mode … in the mean time, 

Heat the pan and add Ghee and oil. Add Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamom pods and stir in the onions. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently, until the onions begin to turn brownish. 

Add the Ginger-Garlic paste but dont forget to scrap the bottom constantly. 

Add the Chopped Tomoto,and Splited Green chilli together. Fry for few minutes. 

Add the Chopped Mint+Cilantro leaves. Add salt to taste. Stir constantly or until the spices release their aroma. 

Add the Chilli powder, Turmeric Powder, Garam Masala, Biryani Masala...cook for few minutes, now add the cooked peas to this mixture and stir at regular intervals until the gravy thickens. 

Add the mixture into the rice cooker where the rice is half-way and turn the mode in quick rice and when its done...itz ready to taste. Serve with Potato fry or Raita. 

Note : You can do it Pressure Cooker also...Do everything directly in the cooker and add the rice in the end. Pressure cook for 20 min or 2 whistles.

Memories:

Well, it was like one another day in life.I just returned from the college for the lunch.My Dad and I used to have our lunch together. He always waits for me to come home.Those after hour college days also he will wait.,it was a day like that...! Cherishable Moments to remember. I used to feel really good after the lunch - even a big meal does not give me the happiness today. If I can remember how I felt, it's like ( Athu oru aligiya nilaa kalam)...!

Though mom ususally makes the lunch in mornings,as she has to rush to her work,in the afternoons we both will crave some extras like omelette or fry appalams to accompany our lunch. On that day,mom had made this TOMOTO RICE and we both were ready to eat at the table...then we realised why dont we make something? Even,I just don't had the patience. Luckily, I got something to do(hurray!), so I started the process(!) and ended.I can say, that was the dumpest thing I've done. 

Then we had our lunch.During that time, Dad didn’t tell anything, he only has the habit of appreciating with all the kind words. For him it was like a another day,it went well. For me, Just a few of those fries,...may be not a few, ... and I dont feel good - not in my tummy - but, I had the trouble to eat my fries, I just put it aside and finished the lunch. In the evening, As soon as my Mom reached home, I told her,as we are out of Potatos,I just tried to make some fries out of …. Seppankilangu ( Colocasia Yam)… but it turned out a burning problem with my throat :( ...! My mom was cool.,she then explained the toxic crystals in that and how we have to cook that! Dad just smiled and said,itz just a exploration day in cooking :)!!