Tomato pickle

TOMATO PICKLE 

      This pickle is one of my childhood memories...I learnt this recipe from my Chithi ( mom's sister)( in tamil சித்தி...) .  I remember  she do different  varieties in her  way of cooking . I also learnt some of her recipes.one of which is the  tasty 'Prawn thokku ,that's also one of my Favorite . I'll blog it later.

Here is the recipe of tomato pickle . 

                                     

Ingredients:

Tomatoes        7  (medium sized ) I used 4 large  tomatoes ( size of an orange)

Dry red chili 15 count (3" pieces)

Fenugreek  1 tsp

Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp

Salt 1 1/2 tsp

Oil 1/2 cup ( use any refined or idhayam oil)

Method:

1. Wash and cut the tomatoes into 2 " cubes  and let them dried for 2 hours in air  or 

      Place these tomato pieces in a preheated ( 350* F) conventional oven  for about 1:30  hours.

    The purpose of this step is to take out water (not completely ) from tomatoes.(just for drying)

2. In a pan ( over medium heat),dry roast  fenugreek ,musturd seeds and dry red chili .( roast until light color change ,also you get nice aroma ). Let it cool for a while .

3 . Using  a blender/mixer ,grind ,roasted ingredients into fine powder ,I also added salt during this grinding process. Take out this powder and keep it aside . After that ,grind  dried tomatoes into paste in the same jar ( before cleaning the jar)

4. Take a pan ,pour oil ,throw in musturd seeds let it splutter,now add tomato paste to it , stir in between with a spoon ,let it be in medium heat for about 10-15 minutes ,then add the powder and mix well ..again stir .now .you can see oil separated from paste . After 5-6 minutes switch off stove ,let in cool and store in a glass jar  .

I kept this pickle outside for 1 day and then refrigerate it. So that It lasts long.

Yummy taste ..we can have this with meals ,, also it goes well with any rotti varieties .