Thick Tomato Curry / Thakkali Chutney

Once my Daughter asked "is tomato a fruit or vegetable?" I had no doubt to reply it is a vegetable. She smiled " Yeah, that's why Encyclopedia Britannica explains farmers say tomato is a fruit , but those who love cooking says tomato is a vegetable....!" Any way this doubt has never arisen in my thoughts all these years.... :) Whatever it is , I liked it very much , in raw form or cooked.This simple and delicious chutney is good to take with rice, chappathi or dosa or any thing you like. We normally make this when we have no other curries we like. I have posted other tomato curries like tomato coconut milk curry, tomato pickle, thakkali pachadi etc, earlier, hope you all will love them. Hm, am still craving to take little thakkali chutney with rice , by mashing the green chillies in it... yum! :P



Ingredients for making thakkali chutney
tomatoes 4 big chopped
small onions / pearl onions 1 handful chopped
onions 2 chopped
green chillies 3 chopped
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
red chilly powder 1 or 2 tsp
salt

For seasoning,
mustard seeds 1 tsp
curry leaves 2 stalks
coconut oil



How to prepare
Heat coconut oil in a wok.
Allow mustard seeds to splutter.
Add curry leaves.
Put chopped shallots and onions.
Stir until it is semi transparent.
Add green chillies and tomatoes.
Add all the powders and salt.
Place the lid and cook on a low flame.
Cook well stirring occasionally.
When tomatoes are mashed well, remove from fire.
Normally , no need to add water.
If you found it very dry, sprinkle little water while cooking.
You can make this without adding shallots too, if you are lazy to peel them.
Then use onions instead.
Enjoy!

Baby Food - Wheat Cereal / Godhambu Kurukku

Welcome to all young mothers and those who eat all yummy baby foods! ;) I can boast to any one that my kids have grown up without eating much ready made baby foods since a big amount of cerelac I bought for them have gone to my stomach! Yeah, they don't like, but I like. That too directly from the can, without adding water.. :) I have seen some taking this wheat cereal / godhambu kurkku , for that they prepare much more than the baby needed! This thin break fast cereal would be very good for your baby, so try out.. and enjoy with your little one!



Sooji godhambu kurukku / Broken wheat cereal Ingredients
Broken wheat 1 cup
milk 3/4 cup
sugar / jaggery / kalkkandam enough
water



How should you prepare it for your baby..
Clean and wash wheat very well.
Soak in drinking water for 6 or more hours or soak whole night.
Squeeze the broken wheat with hand.
When the soaked water turns like milk, strain it.
Mix milk and sugar with this strained milk like water.
Keep on a medium flame, stirring continuously.
The mixture boils and turns thick, continue stirring.
Switch off fire.
Allow to cool.
The wheat should be cooked well , so don't cook on a high flame, cook slowly on a medium flame.