There are a couple different ways to make tomato saar, but I generally use the following method.
Ingredients:
(Serves 3-4)
5 ripe tomatoes
2 tsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp cumin powder (optional)
1/2 tsp asafoetida
3/4 green chillies (less if you want it to be too hot)
A couple of sprigs of cilantro (optional)
Start by boiling tomatoes for about 10 minutes. Remove the skin and puree them by adding some water. Strain this puree in a pot and add salt and sugar. Add water as needed and let the saar boil. In another pan temper ghee with cumin seeds, asafoetida and green chillies. Add cumin powder if you like. I generally use it because ghee infused with cumin gives saar a nice flavor. Now add this tempering to the boiling saar and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. You can also add some coarsely chopped cilantro if you like. Serve hot. The heat from chillies gives it a nice kick and natural sweetness of tomatoes coupled with sugar adds to the sweetness.
Growing up in a Maharashtrian family I never had tomato saar but a thick tomato soup my mom would make in the winter. But my husband is Konkani and he prefers this version though I think his mom also adds coconut in it. Will try this the next time he wants 'Mom' food. :)
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother always used coconut milk. I don't use it very often. Coconut makes it creamier.
ReplyDeleteTai.... While I know that salt and sugar are to taste, please advise as to how much do you use for the 5 tomato recipe?
ReplyDeleteI am new to cooking and all help is appreciated...
Regards,
Aseem
Aseem: For 5 medium tomatoes I add roughly about 1 tbsp of sugar. Giving an exact quantity for salt would be difficult as it really depends on your taste. Since you are new to cooking, I would suggest that you start by adding 1/2 tsp of salt and then taste it to check if you need to add some more. Hope this helps!
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