THAKALI THOKU (TOMATO THOKU) RECIPE

Spicy and tangy thakali thoku (Tomato thoku/pickle) can be used as side dish for Idli, Dosa, Chapati, Roti, Steamed Rice and Curd Rice. This delicious thoku recipe is simple and easy to prepare with less ingredients in few minutes. In my family we personally love this tomato thoku with steamed rice and Chapati.

PREPARATION TIME : 10 minutes

COOKING TIME         : 20-25 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• Country Tomatoes      - 1 kg
• Red chillies                   - 12
• Mustard seeds            - 1/4 spoon
• Curry leaves                 - 5-6 leaves
• Rock salt                       - 1 and 1/4 spoon
• Fenugreek powder     - 1/4 spoon
• Gingely oil                    - 10 spoons

DIRECTIONS:

1. Get ready with all the ingredients. Wash the tomatoes well and roughly chop them. (Tip: Use ripe and juicy country tomatoes for tangy taste.)

2. Add chopped tomatoes, red chillies and salt in a mixie and grind to fine paste in batches. (Tip: Grinding in batches enables uniform grinding without spilling out.)

3. Heat gingely oil in a kadai. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves and let them crackle. (Tip: Gingely oil gives nice flavour to the dish. You can also use any cooking oil.)

4. Add the freshly ground tomato-chilli paste to the kadai. Mix well. Wash the mixie with some water and add to the kadai. (Note: Do not add more water.)

5. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until it thickens and the oil starts separating. (Tip: Keep stirring to avoid sticking to kadai. Check for salt and add if needed.)

6. Add 1/4 spoon fenugreek powder and mix well. Switch off the flame. (Note: Do not add more than 1/4 spoon, it makes the thoku bitter.)

7. Store the spicy and tangy thakali thoku in an air-tight container, and refrigerate. Remains fresh for 2-3 weeks. Use dry spoon every time when you scoop out.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

=> If you use normal tomatoes, add some tamarind while grinding for nice tangy flavour.

=> The specified amount of red chillies is sufficient for me. If you need more or less spicy adjust the quantity of red chillies accordingly.

=> Instead of grinding red chillies you can also use red chilli powder. Adjust the quantity accordingly.

=> You can add 1/2 spoon turmeric powder and hing powder. Its purely optional.

=> Finally, you can also add pinch of jaggery to enhances the taste of the dish.