Simple Tomato koottu (Thakkali koottu)

Many may be very familiar with a side dish made with tomato. Just posting this for the new chefs and for my record.
This is one of the most simple but delicious dishes made by my mom. I always consider this koottu as my mom's signature dish. Though the version seems so simple, I have never achieved the mom's touch in this koottu.
Whenever my mom ran out of any vegetables in her fridge, then she used to make a simple dhal and this thakkali koottu along with rice. I always love these kind of quick to fix recipes, as they won't demand me to stay in the hot stove for long hours. Just a gentle serving on plain steamed rice can do the magic. Good for a lazy cook. huh:)
A very simple dish but surely a mouthwatering one.

Thakkali koottu.

Ingredients:
Ripen Tomato - 4 (250 gms)
Green chilli - 4
Shallot onion - 6
Shredded coconut - 2 tbsp
salt - to taste
oil - 1 tbsp
mustard seed - 1/2 tsp
cumin seed - 1/4 tsp
curry leaf - 1 brig.

Method:
Chop the onion and tomato very finely and keep separate.
Heat oil in a wok.
Put the mustard seeds and after they crackle add the chopped onion, slitted green chillies, curry leaf . Fry till the onion gets soft. (Not red).
Then add the chopped tomato , 1/2 cup water, salt and cook covered, till the tomato turns mushy.
After the tomato gets cooked completely, add the cumin seeds, shredded coconut and heat for a minute. The consistency should be like a thick curry.
Switch off flame.
Tomato koottu is ready !

Serving suggestions:
Goes well with chapathi , plain rice , curd rice, any sambar rice.
Serves 4 people.
Time taken : 15 minutes.

Note:
The Vine tomato, Indian country tomatoes, cherry tomatoes or plum tomatoes add more taste to this koottu.
But the Bangalore tomato or Roma tomato won't bring the real flavor.

Green peas Masala

If you have some frozen peas lying in your freezer and you want to fix something jazzy for the dinner, then here is a peas masala curry in just 10 minutes. It is one of my favorite curries because of its simplicity and lingering taste.
If planned properly, this dish can be done by soaking (5-6 hrs) the dried peas also.
But cooking the dry peas may take a lot of time:(
It tastes great if prepared with fresh peas with pods. I love buying them with pods because i think it is really a fun to remove the crunchy pods:) and to see the green pearl like peas inside.

Green peas masala curry / pachai pattani curry (Tamil)/ Sweet peas masal.



Ingredients:
Green peas (fresh or frozen) - 1 cup
chopped onion - a handful
curry leaf - 1 brig.
ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Tomato - 1
oil - 1 tbsp
chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
coriander powder - 2 tsp
Turmeric powder - a pinch
fennel seeds - 1 tsp
cumin - 1/2 tsp
salt - to taste
water - 1/4 cup

Method:
Remove the pods and collect the green peas. (If frozen peas are used, then defrost them in running water).Wash them in running water.
Heat oil in a kadai.
Add a tsp of fennel seeds. After it turns red, add the chopped onions and curry leaves.
Fry till the onion becomes tender. Then add the ginger garlic paste and saute well.
Then goes the chopped tomato and cook till it becomes mushy.
Now put the green peas ,salt, chilli powder,cumin, coriander powder, turmeric and 1/4 cup water.
Cook covered until done.
In just 10 minutes Green peas masala is ready.
Garnish with finely chopped cilantro.

Serving suggestions:
Serves 2 people.
Good to go with chapathi, naan, vegetable pulao, any rice dish.