One tomato rice

This simple yet flavorful One Tomato Rice is a delightful one-pot meal that comes together effortlessly in a rice cooker. The dish starts with fluffy short-grain rice, infused with savory soy sauce and sweet bean paste or oyster sauce. Vibrant peas, juicy corn kernels, and the option of either Chinese sausage or umami-rich shiitake mushrooms add pops of texture and flavor throughout the rice.

The star of the dish is the whole, fresh tomato that gets gently mashed into the cooked rice. By cutting a cross on the top of the tomato before cooking, it breaks down seamlessly into the rice, bringing a burst of bright, juicy tomato flavor that permeates every bite. The tomato not only adds a lovely burst of color but also a subtle sweetness that balances the savory notes of the soy sauce and protein.

This One Tomato Rice is a wonderfully comforting and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish. The simple act of mashing the whole tomato into the cooked rice creates a delightfully creamy and flavorful texture, without the need for any additional sauces or dressings. With its easy prep and hands-off cooking in the rice cooker, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you're craving a wholesome, flavor-packed rice dish.

Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (450g) short-grain rice
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet bean paste or oyster sauce
- 1/2 cup (80g) peas, fresh or frozen (no need to thaw)
- 1/2 cup (20g) Chinese sausage or diced shiitake mushroom caps
- 1/3 cup (45g) corn kernels, fresh or frozen (no need to thaw)
- 1 medium tomato, with a cross cut on the top
- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice at least 3 times until the water runs clear.
2. Add the washed rice, soy sauce, bean paste, and a pinch of salt to the rice cooker. Mix well.
3. Add the peas, Chinese sausage or shiitake mushrooms, and corn kernels. Stir to combine.
4. Place the whole tomato with the cross cut on the top into the rice cooker.
5. Cook the rice on the regular rice cooking setting.
6. Once the rice is cooked, use a fork or if you like me only use chopsticks to gently mash the tomato into the rice, mixing it in evenly.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce or salt if needed.
8. Serve the one tomato rice hot.

You can also add other your favorite vegetables such as edamame or carrots to the rice during the cooking process.