Sujan Fun Kitchen welcomes to one more easy recipe! #Tomato pickle/#tomato achar#Tomato Thokku/Tomato Pickle or Tomato Achar has always been a bit of challenge to me – one is always confused if the tomatoes need blanching, peeling or they can just be blended together raw and then cooked..or maybe just chop them and stir-fry them till they are cooked. Ultimately I always end up buying the awesome looking store bought Tomato Pickle!But, my dear friend Mrs.Sulochana demonstrated the Tomato Thokku in such a way that today the recipe is the pride of my kitchen! Be it Palak Paratha or Alu Paratha or soft idlis; the Tomato Pickle is the best combo. I can’t wait to share the recipe with my visitors.Ingredients:Tomatoes – 1kg (select ripe and red ones)Sesame oil – not less than 100ml (more the better)Mustard seed – 1tspMethi seed/fenugreek seeds – 1 tspAsafotida – ¼ tsp (optional)Red chilli powder – 2tspSalt – to tasteSugar – 1 tsp(optional)Method:Chop the tomatoes very finely – I used my chopper.. One can chop finely with knife skilfullyMicrowave the chopped tomatoes – I have the option of ‘fresh vegetable’ in my microwave and I used that to cook the tomatoes. However, those who don’t want to use microwave, please skip this stepHeat the oil in a thick and big kadai/panSplutter the mustard seedsSimmer the flame and add the methi/fenugreek seeds and fry till light goldenNow add the red chilli powder and flash fry for a few seconds for the rich red colourImmediately add the microwave-cooked tomatoes and start cooking themAdd salt while the tomatoes are cooking furiously, sizzling in its own juices and the oilAllow the cooking process over medium flame, covering the pan lightly to avoid the splashing all overKeep peeping into the pan occasionally to prevent burning at the baseAlso, try to mash up the mixture with the ladle even while it’s cookingWhen you find the oil separating from the cooking tomatoes, it’s time to add the asafotida and sugar, if desiredAfter 2 or 3 more minutes of adding the sugar and asafotida, switch off the flameEnjoy the Tomato Thokku/Tomato Pickle/Tomato Achar for a few days – this can last 1 week or 10 days in the fridge. But, believe me! It will not last more than 2 or 3 days – the taste being so scrumptious!!
