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Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Thakkali Thokku (Tomato Thokku)


The first thing that comes into mind when tomatoes are abundant and cheap in the market is the Tomato thokku, an all purpose curry which can be used as a spread, a side dish and a gravy that can be mixed with rice. In India tomatoes are very cheap now and this thought is in my mind for the last 10 days. So yesterday got 2 kg of tomatoes for just Rs 10 and got all set to prepare this. Only difficulty in preparing this is that we have to set aside at least one hour for this. But if you can afford that then it will make you free for more time later as this dish will come handy on many occasions.
Ingredients
Tomato-1 kg
Red chili powder-2 tablespoons
Gingili oil-4 table spoons
Garlic-10 pods
Ginger-a small piece (optional)
For seasoning
Mustard seeds-1 teaspoon
Fenugreek seed-1 teaspoon
Curry leaf-little
Procedure
Microwave the tomatoes for a minute and remove the skin else put the tomatoes in boiling water for 2 minutes and remove the skin. Let the tomatoes cool. Now put the tomatoes in the big jar along with the chili powder and the salt required and grind to a smooth paste. If you add garlic and ginger grind it in the small jar and add to this tomato pulp. Keep the kadai in the stove. Season the thokku with the items in ‘To season’ in 4 table spoons of oil. Once the mustard splitters reduce the flame and add the tomato pulp. Close the kadai and in medium fire cook stirring in between .After 10 minutes remove the lid, keep the flame to medium and stir more often for 10 more minutes. After the 20th minute increase the flame and stir continuously. A stage will come when the thokku will float in the kadai (I mean it will not stick to the kadai).Now keep the flame low and add a tablespoon of jaggery. You will see oil separating gradually. Now switch off the stove and allow the thokku to cool. Once it is cold transfer it to a Tupperware box or air tight container and keep it in the fridge. This thokku will stay fresh for a month if stored properly

24 comments:

Revathi said...

glad to know that atleast one veggie is cheap in india. Hearing about the soaring prices.

Thokku looks mouth-watering !!

Solai Chidambaram said...

Yes Revathi.All prices has gone up immensly.But these seasonal vegetables has to be sold cheap only.Else they will get rotten

Cham said...

I can relish this thokku anytime. Can we store for a month? But definetly , i will finish in a week or less... Good one, 2 kg for 10 Rs that 's cheap!

Kalai said...

Absolutely delicious, Solai! Great use of thakkali! :)

Illatharasi said...

Wow.... 2 kgs only 10 rs. I will ask you to send me a bottle of thokku;) ..... this is one of favourite.... my mouth is watering ;)

Unknown said...

Dear Achi,

Im wondering if you have a recipe for vengaya thokku. I had the pleasure of having some when i was visiting a friend in chennai and it was so tasty. However the bottled ones commercially available are either hot or salty. The one i tried was made with small onions and was slightly sweet. It was excellent with thosai! :) My friend's mum did give me the recipe but i was silly enuff to lose it. :(

Solai Chidambaram said...

I also have not tried vengaya thokku.But I will try and if comes good blog the recipe saravanan.When is your trip to Karaikudi

Unknown said...

Hi Achi,

My trip to India is in Sept. Can't wait!! :)

kamala said...

I love Thokku too..Sometimes in India u get cheap veggies...Btw.Sorry i delayed in replying u.Heavy cream is whipping cream.It is full cream.

Cham said...

Aunty, i just passed 2 awards to you and posted the brinjal cilant curry pict and linked back to u :) thank you to share ur precious recipes :)

Solai Chidambaram said...

Thankyou dear Cham for passing on this wonderful blogging with purpose award.you are exactly right.I am aware that I am one of the senior and more experienced person writing cookery blogs.So I always feel that I should pass on my experience and useful tips to the younger generation.You are one of my main source of inspiration Cham

Sujatha said...

My first time here, and I am so glad I found your blog! You have a great collection of my favorite chettinad recipes that I always enjoy.. Your Tomato thokku tickles my tongue and looks delicious :)

Sujatha said...

Hi, you have something waiting in my blog! please do checkout, hope you like it!

Vidhya said...

I was looking for this recipe very long. Glad I found here. BTW i have added u in my blogroll.

Srikitchen said...

i tried out ur recipe before a week and the taste was too good and awesome! thanks for ur recipe!

karthika said...

Dear achi, For picnic gathering of KKDI people, I have to do 3 qts of thakkali thokku. How much quantity of tomatoes should I use. I guess 4 lbs. Am I right?

Solai Chidambaram said...

Karthika,I am not clear how much 3 qts will measure.But for 1 kg of Thokku you have to use 4 to 5 kg of tomatoes.However much you make the final thokku you get will be little.But you dont need much.Little will serve many.so make thokku out of 4 kg or 5 kg in two vessels simultaneously

Solai Chidambaram said...

Karthika,Make sure that it is the thokku that you have to take for the get together.Dont mistake thokku with thuvayal.May be tomato thuvayal or Chutney.Then for that you will need only a kg of tomatoes.

karthika said...

Dear achi, Thanks so much for your consideration.I am sure it is thokku. I will use your suggestions and planning to do the same with crushed tomato can. Thanks again for your interest in each single comment. I am trying each of your recipe daily so I can prove to my friends that I belong to chettinad. :)

Unknown said...

Wow! wonderful recipe. Thank you aunty

Unknown said...

wow thank you sooo much for your recipe aunty.... i just made the way you said and it came awesome.. thanks..

momsnetwork said...

Wow Your are making some yummy chuntey back to back. Enjoy V Day :-)
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Good Gynecologist in Chennai

Uma said...

I tried this recipe today and it turned out so good!!! Thank you!!

Skl said...

Hello aunty,
We had this today,turned out awesome as usual,adding Jaggery is new to us,gives a nice flavour to the dish,will store and use for some time,thank you,skl