Pages

Friday, March 20, 2009

Thakkali thokku - a spicy 'n tangy tomato pickle

The trimurtis (three presiding deities) of my kitchen are onions, potatoes and tomatoes. Without these three ingredients, I'd be lost.....not knowing what to cook.
Like the original holy trinity of Indian mythology, these ingredients too are involved in Srishti (creation of exciting new dishes), and Sthithi (maintenance of our health). Luckily, there has been no Samharam (casualty/death) so far. Let's keep our fingers crossed, shall we???
The price of tomatoes in my part of the world has touched rock bottom at rupees 4. Not a small drop, considering that a few months back it was being sold for close to Rs 30. So, with a price drop like that, I couldn't resist picking up some at the local market.
Tangy, spicy tomato thokku is something that I love. Though making it takes up some time, it is quite a simple process and most of the ingredients are readily available in an Indian kitchen.What you need:

Juicy, ripe red tomatoes - 12, medium sized - pureed
Gingely oil - 9 tsp
Mustard seeds - 3/4 tsp
Urad dal - 3/4 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
Green chilli - 2 or 3, minced fine
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder - to taste
Salt - to taste

Heat 7 tsp of oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add the minced green chillies, mustard seeds, urad dal, channa dal, and fenugreek seeds. When the mustard seeds sputter, add the pureed tomatoes. Stir well. Add turmeric powder, red chilli pwder and salt. Let it come to a rolling boil. Now reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and let it simmer stirring occasionally. It will take close to an hour for all the moisture to evaporate. When it is almost done, add the remaining two tsp of oil. Once it loses all moisture, switch off the heat and let it cool completely.
Store in a clean, airtight jar.
This can be refrigerated and will stay good for upto a fortnight.
It can be used as an accompaniment to a variety of foods including, but not limited to, rice, idli, dosa, roti,and bread.

Notes:
  • If you'd like, you can blanch the tomatoes in hot water first, remove the skin and then puree it.
  • Instead of pureeing you can chop the tomatoes into tiny pieces and then follow the same recipe.
  • A little bit of tamarind paste can be added if the tomatoes are not sour.
  • You can also add some asafoetida along with the tempering ingredients.
This month, Sanghi who is celebrating her 50th post on her blog has asked us to Fall in Love with Tomatoes.....and that's exactly what I've done. This entry goes to her.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Thakalai thoku looks great!

Chutneytales said...

Wow..Thakkali thokku is my fav..I bought 4 Kgs for 20 rs last week and made a huge batch of this thokku :)

jayasree said...

Good to see u after sometime. Only today I was thinking that work and home must be keeping you away from blog and here i see a post.

I can have thakkali thokku for any meal.

SMN said...

that looks mouthwatering..

Lavanya Raj said...

Hi Jayashree.its been a long time visiting ur blog! My Thakkali Thokku recipe is also the same..

My wishes to ur kid!

FH said...

Great for Chapatis or dosas or rice, looks delicious! :)

Trupti said...

tomato pickle looks very mouthwatering

Vani said...

The trimurthis, huh? Cute! :)
Thokku looks fabulous, J!

Priya said...

I see plump ripe tomatoes all arnd the markets here too. Its been a long time since I made a thokku, will make some soon. My mom also used to make a jam to make use of all the fresh tomatoes.

EC said...

Thokku comes very handy when we are lazy to cook something elaborate or need a quick sidedish

Cham said...

Thokku looks super delicous :)

Suparna said...

Hi
LOL...the trimurtis hold the same place in my kitchen too!...lol
I loved the tomato pickle...they call it gojju in kannada...will try it sometime.
TC

Finla said...

I just want to take a pice of bread or a rotu from my kitchen and just scoope from tha bowl, looks so yumm.

Priya Suresh said...

Thokku makes me hurry...such a spicy thokku..looks great!!

Unknown said...

thakali nd mangai thoku are my favourites..i consume very less of the other varieties of pickles..

notyet100 said...

anythin for somethin spicy n tangy,.:-)

Meenal Mehta said...

Hi there ,

first time here on your lovely blog:)

-Meenal @ Meenal's kitchen

Jaya M said...

Jayashree,
thokku looks great and nice way to tell about your three main cooking ingredients ..I too become clueless without these threesomes LOL..
hugs and smiles

Cynthia said...

I like your reference of tomatoes, onions and potatoes as deities :)

Subhie Arun said...

ur thakali thokku looks great n yummy...will try ur version soon.thx for sharing

Champa said...

Jayashree, thanks for sending this link. You can read my experience here. http://versatilekitchen.blogspot.com/2010/02/recipe-test-series-tomato-thokkupickle.html