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