TOMATO CHE SAAR

Tomato is amongst one of my favourite veggies. Any Maharashtrian vegetarian thali is incomplete without the Saar. Tomato Saar is one of the basic vegetarian curry prepared in Goan families. The style of preparing may vary from house to house. This is my ultimate favourite winter comfort meal. Tomato saar is basically prepared by blending together blanched tomatoes along with few spices and tempering it with few necessary ingredients. It is sweet, tangy and spiced with green chillies and ginger. The tempering is made by heating ghee and frying cumin seeds, chillies, asafoetida and curry leaves enhances the flavour. You can have it like soup or can be eaten with steamed rice, pulao, etc. So make this quick version of tomato saar and have it plain or with plain steamed rice and do not forget to share your experience. 

INGREDIENTS:

4-5 Big Tomatoes

1 tablespoon Jaggery

1 teaspoon Oil/ Ghee

½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds

½ teaspoon Mustard Seeds

½ teaspoon Sesame Seeds

1 tablespoon Dry Desiccated Coconut

Sprig of Curry Leaves

Pinch Asafoetida

½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder

Salt as needed

Few Garlic Cloves[optional]

METHOD:

STEP 1 – Wash and pressure cook tomatoes for 3 whistles. If you like add garlic cloves in it while cooking.

STEP 2 – Cool it completely, discard the skin and then blend it in mixer pot. Blend it to get a very smooth puree.

Sieve it using a soup strainer.

STEP 3 – Put it in a wok/ sauce pan and put it on the flame. Let it come to complete boil.

STEP 4 – Add jaggery and salt and mix it well.

STEP 4 – When it comes to boil for 2-3 times, switch off the heat.

STEP 5 – Now make a tempering. Add oil/ ghee in a pan, crackle cumin seeds, mustard seeds and then add sesame seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves and desiccated coconut.

STEP 6 - Saute it for few seconds and then add red chilli powder and turmeric powder and mix well.

STEP 7 – Add this tempering to the tomato mixture. Put it on the heat again.

STEP 8 – Boil it for 1-2 minute and saar is ready to serve.

STEP 9 – Garnish it with chopped coriander and serve it.

Serve it hot. It goes well plain like soup or you can relish it with plain steamed rice.

NOTES:  *You can replace green chillies by red chilli powder. I have used red chilli powder for my saar.

                     *I don’t have curry leaves so not added in my recipe.