Tomato Chutney/Thokku

This recipe is very easy and quick to make. This goes very well with Rice, Bread, Roti or even Idli/Dosas. You can enjoy it with anything you can think of :) I learnt this recipe from my mom and is one of my favorite from my mom's cooking.Here goes the recipe!!

Time:Making Time (15 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• 8-10 Medium sized Tomatoes
• 2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
• Turmeric powder
• Asafoetida (Hing)
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1 tsp Methi seeds(Fenugreek)
• 1 tbsp Gingely Oil(Sesame Oil)
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Grind the tomatoes into a fine paste without adding water.
2. In a heavy bottomed vessel,Add some oil,mustard seeds,methi seeds,turmeric powder,asafoetida and saute till it splutters.
3. Now, add the tomato puree to this.Once the raw smell disappears, add the Red Chilli powder and salt to taste.
4. Simmer until it starts to thicken.Serve with a dish of your choice :)

Optional: You can also try adding a powder made of Mustard & Methi seeds to this,instead of directly adding methi seeds.

Pudina Thogayal ( Mint Chutney)

This is very easy to make and goes well with rice,chapati rolls,idli or dosa. I also like to eat this chutney as a spread on bread sandwiches or as an add-on with a crispy starter.This recipe is a definitely a favorite for most people..thanks to flavor of fresh mint leaves and ginger !
This is a must try!!

Time:Making Time (15 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Fresh Mint leaves(Pudina) - 1 bunch
• Fresh Coriander leaves(Cilantro) - 1 Cup
• Grated Coconut - 1 Cup (Optional)
• 3 tbsp Urad Dal
• 4-6 nos Red Chilly
• 1/2" Ginger,finely chopped 
• Tamarind - a small piece
• a pinch of Asafoetida(Hing)
• Garlic - 1 or 2 pods (Optional)
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Take a little bit of oil in a pan and roast the Urad dal,red chillies along with a little asafoetida.
2. In the same pan, add a bit more oil,saute the chopped ginger (garlic,if used) and the grated cocunut and fry till the raw smell disappears.
3. Now add the mint leaves and the coriander leaves to the above mixture and saute for a min.
4. Switch off the gas and allow this to cool.Once the mixture is cooled,add the tamarind,salt to taste and water and blend till the desired texture is reached. ( For Rice,Idli or Dosa, it can be a little coarse paste. Blend it to a fine paste if you plan to use it with Bread or Rotis)
5. Enjoy your spicy Pudina Chutney in the way you like it best...with Rice,Roti or Bread :)

Optional :
1.You can also add Green Chillies instead of Red Chillies. However for the authentic taste, i prefer using Red Chillies.
2.You can skip the coconut part, if you dont like the taste of coconut.