September 7, 2007

TOMATO CHITRANNA

Nandita of "Saffron trail" blog is hosting the monthly event "Weekend Breakfast Blogging #15" this Sept. This month's theme is "cooking with Leftovers".Tomato Chitranna, a ever popular breakfast for all Kannadigas or should I say for most South Indians, made with leftover rice (or freshly cooked rice too) is my entry to this event.Thanks for hosting Nandita!:)

Chitra anna in Kannada literally means Colorful rice. You can make this in many variations with Lemon juice, Tomato and grated green Mangoes as well.This is also a quick dish to make in a hurry in the morning. Usually, Chitranna is made with leftover long grain or Sona Massoori rice,heated and mixed with rice for a quick breakfast. It takes about 25 mins to make the whole dish and with some Cashews or Peanuts,it's healthier too. Enjoy.

Tomato Chitranna:


You need about 6 cups of leftover rice, reheated in the morning and grains separated and spread in a wide pan or cook 2 cups of any rice you like,my choice is long grain here which tastes better mixed with Tomato masala.I add 2 cups of rice in a large glass bowl, add 3 1/2 cups water and microwave it uncovered for 15mins on high and cover with lid and microwave again for 5 mins with 5o% power. Now, prepare the Tomato masala.
When the rice is hot,add to a wide pan (Paraat you use for making chapati dough),spread it and let it cool.

You need all these+1/4 cup Peanuts or Cahewnuts and 1/4 tsp turmeric(I forgot to add here in the photo!):

1-2 onions thinly sliced, few Cilantro, 3 plum or 20 Cherry or any kind of Tomatoes you have, salt, 1/4 tsp turmeric.
Season: 2 tbsp oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, few curry leaves,1/4 cup Peanuts or 4 tbsp Cahewnuts, 1 tbsp each of Chana dal, Urad dal, Greengram dal(Moong dal), 3-4 green chillies.

How to make it:

This process with take about 15-17 mins, while the rice is cooling. Heat oil in big pan enough to hold the rice, add seasoning ingredients one by on, and fry until peanuts and green chillies get roasted well to reddish color.Add sliced onions,fry until soft and slightly red on the edges,add salt and tomatoes,fry for another 5 mins.Tomatoes don't have to cook completely,tastes better if they are soft and not mashed.Your Tomato masala is done.


Now, take the cooled rice and add to the dish to mix or add the masala to the rice platter and mix well.Adjust the salt and your Tomato Chitranna is ready!! Enjoy with yogurt raita and Potato crisps if you like!

Have a great weekend, see you all on Monday!:))

58 comments:

TBC said...

Tomato Chitranna looks good. I like your serving bowl too. How is it that you got the yellow color without adding turmeric pd?

Richa said...

chitranna looks delicious! i see u using those garden tomatoes, good going :) hope u get to rest those eyes over the wknd.

Sia said...

is the express cooking event still on? i thought its over!!!!
chitranna, i mean tomato chitranna looks delicious ashakka:) u know what? we had lemon rice for lunch:)
have a gr8 weekend... hugs to u

Padma said...

Tomato rice as I call is indeed an express meal to do with the left over rice as well...I do it for my DH's Lunch box if I dont have anything handy..But your addition of peanuts and split moong dal is new to me...I will add them this time when I cook Chitranna, Glad to see you back in action...

Seena said...

Good one, I was looking for Chitranna's meaning,since seeing it every where..now got it, thanks..

Suma Gandlur said...

Is that summer event still on? Your chitranna looks yummy. I too make this sometimes.

Kribha said...

Tomato chitranna looks delicious and colorful. I made vaangibhaat using your recipe posted in foodie's hope. Turned out great. Will be sending it with cucumber kosambar for RCI. Before that, I wanted to get the approval if these are authentic karnataka dishes. Also, I just saw your comment on my vadas. Thanks for letting me know that I can add them too for the RCI.

FH said...

OOPS! I forgot to type the turmeric in! I never make Chitranna without turmeric!!;D
Thanks tbc, I added it there:)

Richa, I am still flooded with the tomatoes! Yeah, I will be resting this weekend after I check my e mail for RCI!! Thanks girl:)

Sia, I hope not!!! I thought it's on going event.I will check again,don't want to waste one post!:D
Have a great weekend, huhs to you.My eyes will be checked again on Monday,I can't wait:)

Jyothi said...

Hello Ashaji! great and delicious recipe for summer express event. Great rice dish. Just love it. Thanks for sharing and take care.

FH said...

Kribha, we make Vangi Bhaat too, sometimes call it Hulianna without Brinjals too,send it and Uddin Vades are perfect for RCI, thanks for both:))

Finla said...

Good looking recipe i bet it was tasting delicious too.

FH said...

Hi Jyoti, I sent this for WBB #15 event. Summer event is no more! This makes a quick express meal too.Enjoy:))

It quick and delicious HC,either for breakfast or anytime! Enjoy.

Sharmi said...

this is one regular thing we make all over India out of left over rice hehehe..
nice entry!!

FH said...

Sharmi, that's true! So easy if you have leftover rice and tasty too!:))

Latha said...

jinx lady :-) my tomato chitranna is coming up too :-) u're bowl looks yumm!

FH said...

Thanks Padma. My MIL adds Moong dal, tastes great.Peanuts are for some protein,too much rice is not good without anything added.Can add some Cashews too!:)

Seena, very simple colorful dish, aptly named too.Enjoy:))

Suma, I absentmindedly sent to the wrong event, corrected it! My mind wanders these days!:D

FH said...

LOL!! Latha, Chitranna seems to be on everybody's mind these day! Send your's too, more the better,no problem!:))

Laavanya said...

I particularly love the last snap Asha. This looks so good and tasty.

KellytheCulinarian said...

Those are some great-lloking leftovers!

Seema Bhat said...

Ashakka,
Hengidira? I am doing fine just very busy with my athe and mava. Tomato chithranna chennag kansatta ide. I am getting loads and loads of cherry and beef stake tomatoes this time and this seems to be a perfect breakfast for me. Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Pooja V said...

This looks so tasty. Try adding a few fried peanuts so tht you hav esome crunch for bitting. I just love it.

FH said...

Thanks Laavanya.Chitranna always makes one gorgeous photo because of the color!:)

Kelly, tastes as good as it looks too.You can use Lemon juice instead of Tomatoes too! Lemon rice, as they call it in the restaurants!:)

FH said...

Seema, that's the reason I made Tomato Chitranna, I have so many Tomatoes! I think it's hot weather this year,they are thriving.Enjoy then while it lasts.
Atte , Maava inoo iddara illi? That's why you are not blogging much.Hope atte makes some dishes for RCI Karnataka,encourage her!;D

I always add Peanuts Pooja,sometimes Cashews too. Forgot add to the photo there.Crunchy and adds some nutrition too,right?
Have a great weekend:))

Tee said...

beautiful color and it must be tasting delightful with the tomatoes!
Nice entry for the event :)

Rajitha said...

asha...love the head start you are making on that event huh.. smart move. love the recipe and that adorable bowl!

FH said...

Tee, Chitranna is always like comfort food for me, tastes great and quick to make!:))

Rajitha, I used to wait until the 3rd week,but then I learnt my lesson when others send the similar dishes early and then I would go "oh no!!:D
Have a great weekend:)

Anh said...

Asha, your post reminds me of my mom who makes a lot of fried rice from leftover! :D This is really delicious, thouggh. I think I have to try it out with freshly cooked rice hehehe =)

FH said...

Anh, I always make this freshly cooked rice too but for this event with the "Leftovers"!!:D
Try it, I am sure you will love it.We all have so many dishes in common,don't we?:)

Susan from Food Blogga said...

I don't believe I've ever eaten rice for breakfast. It's just not something I've ever thought of doing before, until now. Thanks for the new and delicious idea! Hope you're doing well! :)

FH said...

Hi Susan, in South India rice is staple, eaten for almost every meal in form of pancake, spiced etc. Try on the weekend, although I would make this for brunch.
Thanks, I am doing very well!:))

Neelam said...

Tomato rice is even my favourite way of using the leftover rice...got to try your version!

Anonymous said...

Asha, tumba channagidde. Chitranna is a favorite at home, but i never tried putting in tomatoes. Thanks for the recipe. BTW, I loved that dish in which you have put the chitranna.

Kamini said...

Looks very nice...
Your post on Lasik has inspired me to think about it too. I am in the the same boat as you are ( or should I say were?). - 7.5 in both eyes. Now all I need is to make my son study medicine so I will have a doctor in the family to get special attention :)...

Srivalli said...

wonderful looking chitranna...this is also for your RCI???

J said...

Great, off to cook this just now! :)

archana said...

Asha rice looks gr8.I thought you are supposed to take rest,no cooking and posting for sometime :) take care :)

FH said...

Hi Neelam, thanks girl,it is a tasty dish:)

Hello Vana Menasinaksi!Hahaha!!Tomato Chitranna tumba ruchiyagirutte, try madi!:))

Kamini, get it done before your son becomes a doc!!:D
Yeah,you seem like a great candidate for LASIK,believe me, it feels so good.Choose a good one, they will treat you fabulously no matter who or what!:)
Good luck.

FH said...

Sri, I could add this to round up too,authentic dish from K, thanks for the idea!:))

Enjoy J, you will love it.Great brunch dish for weekend:))

Archana, I started cooking from the next day of the surgery,I HAVE TO!! Got kids, but I have lot frozen dals ,aloo Gobi etc,so I am using those too to make it easier. I am doing very well!:))
I am seeing the eye doc on Monday for a clean bill,let's see.

SMN said...

Hey asha,

Rest well and get well soon and i wish u continue bloggin..Tomato chitranna looks nice. i never do it.. i do lemon chitranna..thnx for sharing

Sig said...

That looks yummy, grains are perfectly seperated... Hope your eyes are all better now Ash... Have a gret weekend!

FH said...

Smn, you can add grated green mangoes too, tastes great, enjoy!:))

Hi Sig,I see you are having a great southwestern feast compared to this little thing!:)
Have fun girl,thanks.I am really doing well.

Roopa said...

all time favortie for us! chitranna looks great :)

Raaga said...

favourite it is!

FH said...

Hi Roopa, a standard dish when you run of ideas! :D

Helo Raaga, spent half a day sorting out all RCI e mails yesterday, thanks for all of your entries!:))

Latha Narasimhan said...

Nice dish with left over rice! All kanadigas make this!Today I made a wonderful north karnataka dish for your RCI! Will post it tomorrow and send 2 kodbale and the other one, keep guessing till then!

FH said...

Latha, Dharwad Pedha? :))
I got your Kodubale,looks fabulous, got to make them in winter.
Yeah, Chitranna with leftover rice!! Great recipe, huh? Hahaha!!
I asked Lakshmi whether you know Hulianna, B'lore style.sra sent me one too,looks great.
I typing for Wednesday, not much, just a garden post for GBP with 2-3 dishes!:))

Anonymous said...

Hi Asha,
Hope you are recovering well. Just this weekend I tried your Lemon Chitranna and it turned out good. Curd rice and lemon rice are now faves in our house. Thks for sharing and again wish you quick healing.

Anonymous said...

Oops..forgot to sign my name to the last Anonymous comment... Angela

Sona - quick picks/pick quicks said...

Hi Asha,
have been going through your various posts for a long time now,but its the first comment that i am putting in...just that, each time, i come forward to put up one, i see that the list of people in front of me are soooo huge, that I step back , saying.."well, let she come up with her next dish, and i will meet her, somewhere amongst the first ten!!..but, alas, i dont think it will ever happen...anyways, real glad to meet someone like u, u are sooo dedicated to this world!!!,,hope ur surgery went fine..
cheers,
sona

FH said...

Hi Angela, Chitranna and Mosaranna sounds perfect to me!!Enjoy. Add peanuts or Cashews to make Chi. nutritious too!:)

Sona, that is so sweet to read this morning.I know there is always a crowd!:D
Glad you wrote and nice to meet you too dear girl.Enjoy the recipes, say hello now and then, that would be quite okay too!:)

Have a great week both of you,I am doing quite well.Thanks.

Sona - quick picks/pick quicks said...

hi asha, thanks for stopping by my blog..yes, i am new to u, but its very much vice versa , the other way..i have seen so much of your posts and blogs...as mentioned in my previous comment above.
I have mentioned about you in this post of mine...

http://thisishowthingsturnouttobe.blogspot.com/2007/09/nags-of-for-cook-in-me-has-come-up-with.html

cheers, sona

FH said...

Sona, I saw that post,thank you!:))
I am glad you left a comment here because otherwise it's pretty hard to find new bloggers unless we come across in other blogs. Enjoy.Good to meet you!:))

Kajal said...

Cool idea with instant breakfast.......Nice entry for WBB#15........Good day.:)

FH said...

Thank you Kajal, it is a quick breakfast!:)

Finla said...

Asha i just wanted to have info is Chitrannam a Karnataka dish.

FH said...

Yes it is and I have at least 6 entries already and many Kesari Bhaths too!:D

SeeC said...

I prepare this often. Looks colourful.

FH said...

Thank you SeeC. Quick meal!:))