Thakalli Thokku | Tomato Pickle!

Thakalli Thokku | Tomato Pickle is very tangy and tasty recipe. This is a traditional dish taught by my Mother-in-law who makes this to her perfection,  as in Bangalore we used to do Gojjus. It was new to me and I loved it a lot. Its also my family favourite sidedish. A good timesaver and accompany many dishes. I always prepare and store it in my place, when I find really red tomatoes in Little India cannot miss it.

Ingredients
Fresh Red Tomatoes - 10 nos
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tspn
Red chilli powder - 1 tablespoon(As per your taste adjust)
Fenugreek seed powder - 1/2 tspn
Cooking Oil - 1/2 cup (I use gingely oil or olive oil)
Mustard - a pinch
Hing/Asafotida - 1/4 tspn
Salt

Preparation Method
Wash, cut and chop all the tomatoes into 4 pieces and keep aside.
Heat a heavy big kadai/wok, add oil, a pinch of mustard and hing.
Once mustard pops, add the tomatoes and mix.
Leave it for 5 mins. Then add, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt and mix.
Close it with lid, as it will pop out while boiling and cook till the tomatoes are soft.
It will be too soft  and watery. Continue to close lid.
The colour will change from light red to dark red.
When its going thick add venthaya podi/fenugreek powder. Mix and check for salt and spice levels.
if you wish you can add. Usually, adding the spice and salt little more is better, when it cools, it will be to correct level. Do not cook for long after adding venthaya podi, this will make bitter.

When the gravy is thick and oil leav es the side and good aroma. The dish is ready. Allow it to cool.

Store in clean glass or plastic bottle.  This can be sidedish for kootu rice, curd rice. chapathi, Idlis, Dosas and Adai .

Methods of using tomatoes in thokku. You can use any method.

1. Just chop them and cook
2. Remove seeds and cook.
3. Remove seeds, skin, grind to fine paste and cook.

Notes - This can be stored upto 15days in fridge.
Do not put stainless steel spoon and store, try to put wooden spoon.

How to prepare fenugreek powder at home.
Fenugreek powder /Venthaya podi - Take 1 cup or required amount of seeds dry roast in a kadai in medium flame to slightly brown. Allow it to cool and grind it to a fine powder. Store in air tight container for later use.

This recipe is going to Kalyani's Event Pickles and Preserve Fest and Spring Seasonal Food Event by Sravani.