Thakaali Thokku: (Tamizhar Style)

Tamaatar Ki Achaar/ Tamaatar Ki Chutney/ Tomato Chutney/Tomato-hot-Pickle.

Ingredients:

Country tomatoes 1 kg(or tomato puree)
Garlic 2 large peeled and grated
Dry red chilies 1-2 cup
Sesame oil 1 bowl
Mustard seeds 2 spoons
Cumin seeds 1 spoon
Fenugreek 1 spoon
Chenna dal 1/2 spoon
Urad dal 1/2 spoon
Curry leaves 1 cup
Asafoetida 1/2 spoon
Turmeric powder 1/2 spoon
Salt

Method:

Boil tomatoes in water for 5 minutes. Peel the skin off. Make a thick puree of it. One can still use commercial tomato puree.

In a pan roast the dry red chilies and powder them in a high speed blender.

In a deep pan heat oil. Add mustard, cumin, asafoetida, chenna dal, urad dal, fenugreek and curry leaves to it. Let them pop and splutter well.

To this add the grated garlic. Fry them well till it is slightly crisp.

Later add tomato puree. Add salt, turmeric and freshly prepared red chili powder. Fry them well. Maintain the stove on medium flame. Cover and cook. Never attempt to add water. If necessary stir in between.

Once the raw smell of chili and tomato is gone....remove the lid and constantly stir cook. Let the gravy become to very thick paste and oil shows up on sides.

This thokku has nearly 1 month shelf life. If refrigerated it may stay long till 3 months.

Can be taken along with chappathis and pooris or even plain steamed rice. One can run few spoons of ghee just before serving.