September 25, 2006

GB-3/ Thakkali Mulakittathu/ Tomato Curry.

A Sole Green Tomato
Last year, I had planted plum tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, and got so much, had to give them away. So this year, for a change I went for the biggest tomatoes I could find, literally called the Big Red or Beefsteak tomatoes. Each of this tomato is equal in quantity to 3-4 of the plum tomatoes. It is a deep red inside, criss cross in its cross section and very sweet and tomatoey in flavor. I watched impatiently as it took about a month for the tomatoes to ripen from the time they fruited, but it was well worth the wait. This summer I did not have to buy tomatoes.:)
This is my third entry for Ginger and Mango's growing collection of the Green Blog Project.
Tomatoes Ripening Merrily.
It tasted amazing when just sprinkled with sugar and eaten. One of my friends chops up a bunch of red tomatoes, adds a couple spoonfuls of sugar and lets them sit in the refrigerator for some time. Its tastes perfect on a hot summer day when the flavors merge. These tomatoes were used up initially in my mozzarella and basil (from my garden!)salads, but as it ripened, it demanded to be cooked. And when I cut one, it is so much, that I prefer to use it at one go.
Tomato Curry
I have used two recipes here. One is an easy everyday kind of tomato curry and the other is a garlicky chutney that can be stored for a long time in the refrigerator. Very similar to each other but the curry is a Malabar favorite whereas the chutney has other influences. My mother used to make this chutney and store it for weeks. We ate it with toast and cheese, with adai and dosa and with idlis. The garlic-tomato chutney recipe is explained below.
A version of this tomato curry (without the mustard seeds) is common as tomato fry served along with rotis/chappathis in some small restaurants.
For the Tomato Curry:
You will need:
Tomato- 5 cups (chopped).
Green Chilies/Any hot chili-4-5
Onion- 2 medium one, sliced(optional)
Ginger -1/2 inch piece
Garlic-4-5
Red chili powder-1 tsp
Turmeric-1/4 tsp
Coriander powder-1/2 to 1 tsp as per taste
Tamarind Extract- 1tbsp (If made from fresh tamarind)
Sugar-1tsp
Canola/vegetable Oil-3tbsp
Salt-1/2 tsp(to taste)
Fenugreek Seeds-1/2 tsp
Mustard Seeds- ½ tsp
Curry leaves-one sprig
Preparation:
1. Cut the tomatoes into small cubes and measure 3 cups and keep aside. Cut the green chilies, onion, ginger and garlic into tiny pieces. If using fresh tamarind, soak a small ball in warm water and extract the juice. If using the store bought tamarind, use very little as it is in concentrated form. How much tamarind to use depends on the sourness of the tomato.
2. Tempering: Heat the oil in a heavy bottom pan. After a minute, lower the heat and add the mustard seeds and cover till it finishes spluttering. Keep a safe distance if uncovered. Now add the fenugreek seeds and curry leaves. Make sure it does not burn as it will add a bitter taste if burnt. Then add the onions and saute till they turn transparent and start to brown at the edges. Add the green chilies, ginger garlic paste,saute and then add the turmeric, coriander and chili powder. Fry for a minute or two on medium heat and then add the tomatoes. Fry till they soften and then add 1 cup water. Cover and cook on low heat for about 5-10 minutes, till the tomatoes turn pulpy. Open and add the tamarind extract, sugar and further cook, stirring all the while. The whole mass should come together. Check the taste and add more sugar or spice if needed. Take it off the flame, and serve with roti or rice.
P.S. This tomato fry if allowed to cook longer on low heat, releases all its oil and becomes a thick chutney like consistency.
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27 comments:

Krithika said...

Lovely photo ! looks delicious

FH said...

I cannot see the pictures in your blog but I like both of your tomato recipes!! Thanks!! Take a look at my summer garden if you like and fall is here, they are all loosing their breath now!! I am going to miss them!! :))

Shah cooks said...

asha, the blogger is acting up . hopefully will be resolved soon.thanks for letting me know.where is ur summer garden?
krithika, thanks a lot.

Anonymous said...

Wow! your tomatoes look wonderful. I grew beafsteak tomatoes once and my biggest tomato weighed close to a pound! Nice recipe too!

Revathi said...

Makes my mouth water !!

Prema Sundar said...

Hi Shaheen,
Wow... I would love to have this with Idly or Dosa.. Lovely pictures.

Nabeela said...

That picture of tomato curry is mouth-watering. Btw, do you have a picture of the tomato chutney too? I would really appreciate it if you'd upload it
As for the hummus, please don't let my post stop you from blogging about it. I would love to have more hummus recipes around since last night's was a hit at my house.

Maneka Nirmal said...

shaheen..
that was excelent....curry looks delish.thanks for the recipe ..
hey ..i can picturize a big garden behind that tomato plant..am i correct??

Anonymous said...

Wawww...growing veggies in your own garden n cooking them too...too much to ask for in the place i live..
Lucky you to have such a home...n the pics are so tempting yet again..
Have had this Tomato curry..courtsey Mom !

Anonymous said...

Shaheen, this recipe sounds good to me... will give this a try very soon.
I'm a very lazy person to do all the gardening stuff, so I haven't given it a try yet but your blog has inspired me a lot, so I'll be trying out my gardening skills next year for sure. :)

Rg.

Mandira said...

I have some tomatoes ripening in my garden - the last installment. will try it soon. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Photos are soo good,Shaheen.And I love ur tomato curry.will be trying it out real soon

Shah cooks said...

Shaheen said...

hema, once u mentioned it, i realised that it did weigh close to half a pound.

prema, more than the tomato curry, the tomato chutney goes well with dosa. this is quite watery in comparison.

revathi, i am sure u have made something similar with tomatoes.

nabeela, i will upload the chutney foto too. and yes, will post the humus too.thanks.

maneka,u are right, not a big but a small vegetable garden is there behind the window.:)
i can reach out and pluck
tomatoes.. just kidding.

seema, gardening is one of the great pleasures of summer.try it.where do u live? tomatoes can be grown in containers too.

rg, same goes for u. try planting tomatoes and u will enjoy the fresh taste so much more .

mandira, do let me know if how it turned out and if u liked it.

annita, i am sure u have tasted the dhabha version of it somehwere in keral on the road.

indosungod said...

love both your tomato dishes and the tomatoes look marvellous,

Anonymous said...

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!

Gattina Cheung said...

Shaneen,
thank you so much for all the cooking tips and recipes! Your curry looks gorgeous... esp that sheen on the top and its perfect consistency. Your tomato chutney also inspires me making a pineapple version (as I don't like tomatoes that much). Got to thank you again!

Mrs. K said...

Wow! The tomatoes look so pretty and healthy. I feel like to snack on a garden fresh tomato now.. Have you noticed the flavor of the tomato changes when you refrigerate it?

Anonymous said...

really...i thought they require lot of space i mean the garden kinds! Well if they can be done in containers then there is scope...hmmmm live in Mumbai where gardens is a big time dream !!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful picture...can't wait to try this one.

Shah cooks said...

Indu, thank you.:)

Inji, so if I give you two more entries, do I get two more thank you's?

Gattina, thanks for all ur kind words and you are so welcome. Do try it pineapple but omit the tamarind. Add lemon juice or vinegar instead. Now I want to try that too.

At the risk of sounding like a fresh food snob,yes RP, tomatoes from the fridge do have a different taste.I do love to eat it raw the most.
Seema,OOH, u are from mumbai! a long time ago, I was living there. much before the gardening bug got me.

Ruth Daniels said...

Beautiful photos - the first (green tomato) makes me want to get out the old skillet, some garlic and cook up some thick slices in olive oil & butter.

The last makes me want to lick the screen!

Thanks for sharing

Prema Sundar said...

Shaheen i have added the links for rasam in my blog as per ur wish.

Gattina Cheung said...

Shaheen,
oh I was too quick, I did add tamarind. My pineapple chutney very sweet, because the tamarind? So I added some vineger to perk the taste up. Or chutney supposes to be sweet (mind sweet enough and doesn't need any sugar). Thanks for your advice again, I know I can count on you :D

The Avenger !!! said...

tell you my mouth watered :) just reading your blog haha hahah.

please do a post for bachelors who like to cook tho :)

Anonymous said...

can u remove the advertisement on the left side...am unable to read the recipe...

Thanks

mallugirl said...

anon, which ad are u talking about?

Anonymous said...

it was food blog...it was too wide...now its not there anymore..

THank uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu !!!

Hugs !!