Tomato Achar

Tulsi Regmi's Note:

This a condiment prepared with tomatoes and Himalayan spices and herbs.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 4 large ripe tomatoes or 2 cups ripe cherry tomatoes
• 5 fresh hot red chili peppers , minced
• 1 tablespoon garlic , minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger , minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground szechwan pepper (timur)
• ¼ teaspoon asafetida powder
• 2 tablespoons cilantro , chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon mint leaf , chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• salt

Garnish

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 10 cloves garlic , thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Directions:

1. Roast tomatoes in oven for about 30 minutes, or until charred.
2. Remove charred skin and reserve flesh in a bowl.
3. In a sauce pan, heat oil.
4. Add cumin and mustard seeds; fry for 30 seconds or so.
5. Add chilies, garlic, ginger, timur, asafetida, lime juice and salt; stir for a minute.
6. In a blender, combine roasted tomatoes, chopped cilantro and mint, if used, and spice mixture; process to form smooth paste-like mixture (can be made chunkier, if desired).
7. Transfer into a large bowl.
8. For garnish, in a non-stick pan heat one tablespoon of oil, splitter fenugreek until it turns dark.
9. Add slices of garlic and fry till light brown.
10. Pour the garlic-oil mixture and chopped cilantro over the tomato mixture.
11. Mix well and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

Reviews

[Queen Dragon Mom]

This is great stuff. It has a very distinctive aroma and flavor. Thanks, Tulsi, we will have this again with the chicken skewers.