Tomato thokku

Most of us like this thokku and also know how to make this. I follow the recipe of my aunt who is very good at making this thokku. Here is the recipe for making tomato thokku.

Ingredients:-

1. Big Tomato - 6
2. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
3. Red chillies Powder - 1 tsp (acc to taste)
4. Salt to taste
5. Red chillies - 1
   
6. Sesame oil - 4 tbsp
7. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
8. Urad dhall - 1 tsp
9. Asafoetida powder - few pinches
10. Jaggery - 2 tsp (optional)

First wash the tomatoes and put it in hot boiling water. Cover the lid and let it be there for 3 mts. After 3 mts, take it out, let it cool and peel off the skin. Mash it nicely with a spatula or grind it in the mixie (its optional to grind; mashing itself will work). Pre heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, when it splutters add urad dhall, red chillies, asafoetida powder, turmeric powder, red chillies powder and salt and fry everything for couple of minutes. Now add the mashed tomatoes to it and mix it well with the ingredients. Reduce the heat to medium and let it cook for 5 to 7 mts. If necessary sprinkle a hand full of water on it. Now add the jaggery *** and mix it well. Let it cook for another 3 minutes. It will come like a thick paste and oil will spread out of the ingredients. Now turn off the stove. Let it cool and store it in a airtight container. This can be refrigerated and used for atleast a week to 10 days. This can be wonderful sidedish for Idly, dosa, chapathi and we can also spread this in bread slikces along with butter and eat it as a sandwich. It will be really good (my personal experience).

*** - Adding jaggery is optional. Some people (like my husband) may not like spicy items and especially red chilly powder. In order to compensate the spiciness, I add jaggery. We can also make this thokku without adding jaggery.