Tomato Thokku (Tomato Side Dish)

Steps

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1. 1
   Gather all ingredients. Grind ginger, garlic, red chillis, Kashmiri chillis, tamarind, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon together into a coarse paste—do not blend too smoothly.
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2. 2
   Chop the tomatoes into chunks or roughly mince them.
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3. 3
   Heat oil in a pan to medium temperature. Add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and cumin seeds, allowing them to warm and release their aroma.
   ▶ ≈1:08
4. 4
   Add the chopped onions and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry until the onions are fully softened and lightly caramelized.
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5. 5
   Add the ground spice paste and stir-fry until fragrant.
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6. 6
   Add the chopped tomatoes, curry leaves, turmeric powder, chilli powder, and coriander powder. Mix well.
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7. 7
   Cook until the tomatoes are fully softened and break down into a sauce-like consistency. Adjust chilli powder if you prefer less heat.
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8. 8
   Stir in a small piece of jaggery for sweetness. Finish with fresh coriander leaves. Taste and adjust salt and spices to your preference.
   ▶ ≈2:21