ANDHRA STYLE INSTANT TOMATO PICKLE

Tomatoes are one of the regular and friendly vegetable used in almost every recipe. This is very rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.This is my favorite vegetable and i prepare many varieties using this tomato. Today i am sharing with you a pickle recipe which is prepared instantly. This is a very famous pickle in Andhra pradesh. Addition of tadka gives a tasty flavor and aroma to the dish.

Preparation & cooking time : 3 hours
Yields a 500gms bottle pickle

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Kg tomatoes 
• 1 big lemon size tamarind 
• 1/2 glass pickle chilli /mirchi powder( i used three mangoes mirchi powder, u can use normal chilli powder also) 
• 1/2 glass salt 
• 2-21/2 tbsp menthulu / fenugreek seeds powder ( dry roasted and grinded into powder) 
• 150 gms groundnut oil ( approx one and half tea glass) 
• 1 whole garlic pod (optional) 
• FOR TADKA /POPU /TEMPERING 
• 50 gms groundnut oil ( approx 1/2 tea glass oil) 
• 10-12 red chillies, broken into 1 inch pieces  
• 1 tbsp mustard seeds/aavalu 
• 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds / menthulu 
• 1/2 tbsp hing/asafoetida 

PREPARATION

• Wash and clean the tomatoes. Dice into medium pieces.
• Take a frying pan and add fenugreek seeds / menthulu. Dry roast them on medium flame. A nice aroma will come once they fry. Take care they should not get burnt. Once they cool down grind into fine powder.
• Peel the garlic pods. Crush them and keep aside.

 METHOD OF COOKING 

• Take a wide cooking pan and add oil. 
• Once the oil is heat add the diced tomato pieces. Mix well.
• Add tamarind, 1 tbsp salt. Mix well. Juice will come out after adding salt.
• Cook on medium flame until the juice gets absorbed completely and oil will be separated once it is done.  This may take approx 11/2 to 2 hours.
• Let it cool.
• Once it cools add the crushed garlic pods,chillipowder, salt and methi powder. Mix well.
• Take a cooking vessel and add oil.
• Once the oil is heat add the ingredients FOR THE TADKA listed above and let it fry.
• Add this tadka to the pickle mixture. Mix well.
• Transfer into a clean glass or plastic jar.
• Serve with hot rice with ghee. Best side dish for idly and dosa too..

TIPS  

• U can increase or decrease chilli powder and salt as per your flavor.
• U can avoid garlic pods if u don't like it. Its optional.