Spicy Tomato Rice From Tamil Nadu

Name: Spicy Tomato Rice From Tamil Nadu (Thakkali Sadam)
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup short-grain rice (or basmati), washed; 1 cup short-grain rice (or basmati), washed; 3 tablespoons ghee; Kosher salt; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; ½ teaspoon mustard seeds; 1 onion, finely chopped; 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped; 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 3 tomatoes, finely chopped; 1 carrot, peeled and grated; 1 sprig curry leaves, finely chopped; 2 teaspoons sambar powder; ½ teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 teaspoon cardamom powder; ¼ cup mint leaves (pudina), finely chopped; ¼ cup mint leaves (pudina), finely chopped

Thakkali Sadam

Preparation info

Yield:
4
servings

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Everyday Indian from Archana’s Kitchen

By Archana Doshi

Published 2026

About

A popular South Indian comfort food, Thakkali Sadam is a vibrant, spicy tomato rice cooked with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chiles. This dish reminds me of quick lunchbox meals and road trips where it was often packed with crispy papad and a pickle!

Ingredients

1 cup short-grain rice (or basmati), washed
3 tablespoons ghee

Asia
India
Tamil Nadu
Main course
Lunch
Vegetarian
Gluten-free

Method

In a pressure cooker or electric multi-cooker, add the rice, 1 tablespoon of the ghee, 1½ cups of water, and salt, to taste. Cook for 20 minutes on medium heat. Let cool, then fluff up the rice with a fork and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a heavy-bottomed saucepan; add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds; and allow them to crackle for about 15 seconds. Next, add the onion, ging