Tomato fried rice is a dish I replicated after tasting it at a family friend’s place. It was during this last festive period my family and I went to visit them and we were served this delicious meal. When I saw chunky fresh sliced tomatoes inside fried rice I was amazed but surprisingly the food was inviting and delicious. Even my husband was really happy about it especially because of the tomatoes in it and it even made him ask for more. I found this meal new and interesting so I decided I was going to try it out.
Why add tomato to fried rice?
We know fried rice is prepared by mixing fried veggies with rice and tomato is also a veggie-like ingredient that I wouldn’t have thought would be able to go well with it. Tomatoes are commonly used for preparing Jollof rice instead, but now I believe tomato is a star ingredient of fried rice.
Tomato has a special taste and is rich in flavour that it releases into the rice. It will beautify the rice in a way that you won’t resist eating. It is better to use a firm and plum tomato and not one that is pulp and watery. Using a firm tomato will make the rice not be mushy and look more like Jollof rice. If what you got are a pulp and watery tomato, you can bring out the juice inside before slicing it into the dish.
Read also: How To Cook Rice ( Long grain, Medium grain and Short grain)
What other veggies can you add to tomato fried rice?
Use any other veggies of your choice for this dish, as much as you want your rice to be garnished. You can even add sliced cooked eggs to the fried veggies before incorporating them into the rice. When considering cooking tomato fried rice, it is best you keep it simple.
How to store your tomatoes
When you have ripe, firm and plum tomatoes that you are not ready to use immediately, keep them in a cool place with a temperature of about 55° F – 65° F so as to retain their flavour and firmness. Use a food storage container that is lined with a paper towel to store them. It is not advisable to keep it in the refrigerator so that it will not lose its flavour and texture. Just keep it in a cool but not cold place.
Health benefits of tomatoes
Tomatoes are a great addition and they are enjoyed fresh in any dish, they give this sweet tomato aroma. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and potassium. Tomatoes benefit health in several ways due to the presence of some antioxidants in them. It helps in reducing the risk of any heart disease and cancer. It can help in maintaining glowing skin and hair, it can also help to regulate blood pressure and is also good for weight loss.
The ingredients I used for this tomato fried rice recipe are
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Ingredients
Fresh tomatoes (4 large firm tomatoes)
Rice (4 cups)
Spring onions ( 5 scallions)
Ginger (1 knob)
Green bell pepper (2)
Onions (2 bulbs)
Carrots (4)
Green peas (1 cup)
Green beans (1 cup)
Vegetable oil (3 tbsp)
Scotch bonnet peppers (4)
Salt to taste
Curry and thyme (½ tsp each)
Seasoning cubes (2)
Read also: 10 Cooking tips that will help you become a better cook
Directions for the fried veggies
- Prep your veggies by dicing all veggies using your chopping board and a sharp knife
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large, nonstick frying pan. Allow it to sizzle, add your onion and fry for about 2-mins on low heat.
- In the same pan, add your grated scotch bonnet peppers and ginger, leave it to fry for about 2minutes but continue stirring on low heat.
- Using the same pan, add the diced carrot ( I normally add carrot first because it is harder than every other veggie), stir it for about 3 mins on low heat.
- Add green peas, green beans, spring onion, and green bell peppers. Incorporate them together perfectly. Stir for about 2 minutes on low heat.
- Add your seasoning cubes with curry and thyme at this point, you can also add any other spice of choice.
- Lastly, add your diced tomatoes. Note: it is best to add your tomatoes as the last thing to retain the freshness of the tomatoes and because it is a very soft veggie, we don’t need any long cooking for it, just add and remove after a few seconds.
- Ensure the ingredients are well incorporated. After this remove from heat.
- DIRECTION FOR THE TOMATO FRIED RICE
- Parboil your rice, add salt and your chicken broth to the rice and cook until it is almost soft and ready. You can as well pour it into a colander to drain out the excess liquid
- Put a saucepan on low heat. Note: Use a saucepan that is wide enough and can contain both rice and fried veggies.
Add little fried veggies to make a base and add little rice, mix them together, add little fried veggies again, then add rice, mix together (repeat the process until everything is added). - Once you are done incorporating everything together, remove it from heat. Your tomato fried rice is ready to be served. Serve it with fried chicken or fried turkey.
Final note
Do you love this recipe just like me? Or tomatoes in fried rice is a no-no for you?. If you would also like to give this a try, please mention it too. I would love to hear from you.
Thank you so much for your time!
I so much love this. I’m going to try it out.
Thank you, sis. I’m glad you love it. Please, share your experience with us when you try it.
Found myself really smiling while reading. Well done dear and thank you for the extra tips shared.
I’m glad you like it. Thank you ma.