Thakkali Kulambu | Tomato Curry without Coconut

Thakkali Kulambu or Tomato Curry is one of my all time favourite side dish for idli,dosa.It goes well with chapati, idiyappam, appam, idli,dosa and rice.Very very simple,delicious and easy to prepare recipe.It hardly takes 15-20 mins to prepare this recipe.Generally my mom use to prepare this with coconut ,I tried out without coconut,i have used cashews instead of coconut, which was awesome and rich in taste...

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook time: 10 - 15 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe Tomatoes, crushed or ground
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 1 Green Chilli, slit
• 1 tsp Ginger garlic paste (Optional)
• 1 - 1½ tsp Chilli powder (Adjust according to your taste)
• 1 tsp coriander powder 
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1½ - 2 cups water
• Salt - as needed

To grind:

• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp Fried gram dal
• 5-6  cashews

          
To temper:

• 2 tbsp Oil
• 2 cloves,cinnamon each
• Curry leaves
• Coriander leaves

Method:

• Wash and crush or grind the tomatoes in the mixer.(I crushed it).Keep it aside
• Grind all the ingredients "To grind",add 1/4 cup water and make it to a fine paste
• Heat a pan with oil,add Cloves and cinnamon ,add onion, ginger garlic paste and fry until onion turns translucent.                          
• Add the crushed/ground tomatoes, turmeric,chilli,coriander powder and salt. Fry in medium low flame until the raw smell goes off or till the oil separates.
• Add 1½ cup of water and boil for 5 minutes in medium flame.
• Now add the ground paste (You can add 1/2 cup more water for thinner consistency) and allow it to boil in low flame for another 5 mins or until desired thick consistency is reached.
• Garnish with coriander leaves.      

Thakkali Kulambu is ready for Idli,dosa,roti or rice.....