Chutney Tales: Condiments

When Sanghi announced FIL event with tomato as main ingredient,the first thing that sparked in my mind was this 'Tomato Thokku'.While reading the guidelines at her site,the fond memories about this thokku was parallely running in my mind.

Firstly,I have to thank Sanghi for hosting such a wonderful event with my fav ingredient 'Tomato'..I can live on tomatoes..Any dish that has tomatoes,I'm in love with it..Everybody in our home love this tomato pickle and we have this with every meal .It can pair well with any dish savoury main course.During my school days,mom used to pack this pickle and curd rice for my lunch.The tangy,spicy and a teeny bit of sweetness in this pickle made me to fall in love with this thokku.Just add a spoon of this thokku to a cup of boiled rice,drizzle it with some ghee,mix and eat..This can be an instant tomato rice.

I don' t like store bought pickles for they are packed with sooooo much of oil, vinegar or preservatives.My favourite ones are the one my grandma makes.During tomato season ,she makes this tomato pickle in large quantity and distribute it to our relatives and keep some for home.This thokku is her own recipe and its so popular among our negihbourhood too..She halve the tomatoes and dry them under the sun for a day or two to let the moisture to evaporate and then start pickling them.Every dish prepared by my grandmas are so traditional and mouthwatering..

Having two lovely grandmas is such a blessing that I don't have to crave for yummilicious and traditional food.Infact,they both inspired me to cook and taught me each and everything they knew ..And I'm still learning.

I told about this event to my maternal grandma who is an expert in making this tomato thokku..She taught me this y'day and here its coming to your home :)

You will need :

1 kg of tomatoes

1 golf ball sized tamarind pulp

20 dried red chillies

1/2 cup of chopped Garlic

1 tsp fenugreek seeds

1 tsp Mustard seeds

2 tbsp grated jaggery

2 tbsp rock salt

1/2 cup gingely oil

1 small piece of asafotedia

Chopped tomato..

Chopped Garlic..

Wash and pat dry the tomatoes.Chop them keep it under the sun for a day or two.

Add half a cup water to the tamarind and extract the tamarind juice.

In a large pan,add the tomatoes,garlic,salt and the tamarind juice and cook this until the water is absorbed.Adding tamarind,gives an extra zing to the thokku.

In a tsp of oil fry the asafotediea ,fenugreek seeds and red chillies.Grind them together with the mustard seeds to a fine powder.

Add the powder and jaggery to the tomatoes in the pan and mix well.Cook for 3-4 mins until the pickle looks dry.Turn off the heat and add the oil.Mix well and preserve in a clean,dry jar.

I hope this tomato pickle will delight your tastebuds too :)

I made this tomato thokku exclusively for this event with my grandma's guidance.I'm dedicating this tomato thokku to my beloved grandma :)

Sending this 'Tomato Thokku' to Sanghi's 'Fall in Love-Tomato' event..

I made Kichidi and had this thokku as an accompaniment .This is the best comforting food ever!

I have seen this simple and delicious kichidi at Sunita's World long ago..This Kichidi is 'Heaven in a bowl!'

I tried Soma's Pizza..

This is the perfect pizza i have ever made..few days back Soma has posted The Perfect Pizza margharita ..i just followed her pizza dough recipe and the result was awesome.I made 9 pizzas in past 3 days and i have prepared some more dough for tommorow's pizza party..I'm sure my friends will be very much delighted ..All thanks to,Soma :)