Tomato Chitranna (Tomato Baath).

Chitranna is an easy and simple dish and loved by many of us. It is one of the easy dish. I have used tomatoes instead of lemon and prepared chitranna with minimum ingredients. Try and Enjoy Tomato Chitranna at any time of the day.

I have used tomatoes, raw rice, green chilly and little coconut.
Let us see some benefits of eating " Rice " in our diet.
Rice is one of the most used staple food of Indians. It is filled with carbohydrates and provides energy to our body. It is easy to digest because of its fiber content. It improves the bowel movements. It provides an essential source of Vitamin B1 and helps to boost skin health, increases the metabolism and easy digestion. It helps to improve the immune system and provides protection against dysentery. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like Vitamin D, calcium, fiber and iron.

Tomato Rice is good for ladies get together, one dish party, kitty party, kids party and even for travelling. It can be prepared for lunch/dinner or brunch. (Breakfast + lunch).

Let us see the recipe now :

Things Needed :

Cooked Rice : 1 Bowl.
Tomatoes : 2 to 3
Onions : 2 (Medium size)
Green chilly : 2 to 3
Ginger : 1 Teaspoon (grated)
Coriander leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Curry leaves : 6 to 8
Coconut : 2 Tablespoons (Optional)
Oil/Ghee : 2 Tablespoons
Mustard seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Urid dal : 1 Teaspoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon

Method : 

1. Remove the outer layer of onions, wash it and cut into small pieces.
2. Wash and cut tomatoes into small pieces. (Remove the seeds while cutting).

3. Wash and slit green chilly and curry leaves and coriander leaves. Wash ginger, remove the outer layer, wash it again and grate it.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and add a tablespoon of oil and heat.
5. Add mustard seeds and urid dal. Let mustard seeds splutter.
6. Add jeera and slit green chilly. Fry for 10 seconds. Add curry leaves. Add grated ginger.
7. Add cut onions and fry till they turn golden brown. Add tomatoes and fry till they get thick.

8. Add turmeric powder ( a little), salt and mix it well. Add cooked and cooled rice.
9. Mix it nicely and cook on low flame for a minute.

10. Add fresh grated coconut, a tablespoon of ghee and mix it well. Shift it to the serving dish.

11. Add cut coriander leaves and mix it.

12. Serve with a cup of curd and papad.

Note :

Adding any spice powder to chitranna is optional. ( I have not added). Adding garlic with onions is optional. Adding more oil while frying is optional. Use of ghee is optional). Use of coconut is optional. (Do not use coconut if you are taking tomato rice for travelling. It might get spoil).
Time : 10 Minutes. ( If rice is already cooked  OR cooking rice  another 20 minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3. 

Green/Raw Tomato Chutney ( Udupi Style)

Green Tomato Chutney has a superb taste when you have it with hot rice and fresh ghee. Rice is one of the staple grain of South Indians. Though we use wheat, Jola/Millets, Raagi and other food grains Rice stands as favourite food of people here.

I have used green tomatoes which are grown in our home, green chilly, coriander seeds, a bit of tamarind and green chilly.
I have prepared this chutney in Udupi Style.  South Canara People are expert in preparing chutney. They make use of vegetable pulp or outer layers or even the vegetables it self. The aroma of the chutney invites you to have them and you really have a full tummy. (You fall in ❤love with these chutneys❤).☺
Let us see the recipe Now: Green Tomatoes are from our home. (Grown in pots).
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this " Green Tomato Chutney" and is prepared in Udupi Style. (Traditional way of preparing Chutney).

Things Needed :

Green Tomatoes : 6 to 8 (Small size)
Green Chilly : 2 to 3
Coriander seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Tamarind pulp : 1 Teaspoon
Fresh Grated coconut : 1 Cup
Salt : As required
Coconut oil seasoning
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut green tomatoes and put it in a bowl.
2. Wash green chilly and slit.

3. Soak very little tamarind in hot water and squeeze out the pulp.
4. Put cut green tomatoes, green chilly, coriander seeds, little ingh, salt and turmeric powder in a bowl.
5. Add very little water and pressure cook. (Optional). Put off the fire and let the tomatoes cool.
6. Grate coconut and add all the cooked ingredients. Grind it nicely till paste.

7. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a serving dish.

8. Add mustard to a pan and add 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil. Let it splutter. Add ingh and 1 red chilly.
9. Add curry leaves at the end and put off the fire. Put this seasoned ingredients to the ready  Green Tomato Chutney.

10. Serve " Green/Raw Tomato Chutney "  With any main dish you have prepared.

Note: 

Use of pressure cooker to cook raw tomatoes is optional. Adding onions and garlic is optional. I have not added. Taste may differ. Adding red chilly instead of green chilly is optional.
Time : 10 Minutes.
Serves : 3 to 4 .

Raw Tomato Curry

Raw Tomato Curry is prepared using green tomatoes. Green tomatoes are from our home garden. Tomatoes can be grown nicely in the pots. It is nice to see vegetables grow in your own garden.
I have used green tomatoes, onions and home prepared spice powder.

Raw Tomato curry a side dish which goes well with almost all the main dishes  like plain rice. chapatis, poori, dosa, idli and all types of rotis.
 Let us see some benefits of having " Green Tomatoes " in our diet.
Green tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and B Vitamins. The antioxidants help in protecting our immune system and prevent premature aging. It has good amount of iron. They contain some amount of B complex vitamins and they help our body to use proteins, fat and carbohydrates and help to produce energy. They also help in producing good blood cells (red blood cells). Green tomatoes contain Vitamin K. They contain very low amount of minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and manganese. These minerals help us taking care of good production of blood cells, proper nerve function, and bones and muscles. They contain some amount of protein, fiber and wide range of nutrients.

Let us see the recipe now :

Things needed

Green Tomatoes : 8 to 10 ( I have used very small tomatoes )
Onions : 2
Green chilly : 2
Ginger Gratings: 1 Teaspoon
Spice powder/Sambar Powder/Rasam Powder 1 Tablespoon
Salt : As required
For Seasoning :
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Jeera/Cumin Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 Leaves
Coriander Leaves : 1 Tablespoon
Lemon : 1 Teaspoon

Method :

1. Wash and cut tomatoes into small pieces.

2. Remove the outer layer of onions, wash and cut it into small pieces.
3. Wash and cut curry leaves, green chilly and coriander leaves. Keep it aside.
4. Keep a pan on the fire.Heat. Put oil and mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
5. Add cumin seeds and ingh/Asafoetid. Add curry leaves,  green chilly and cut onions.

6. Fry nicely for 30 seconds. Add cut tomatoes.
7. Mix it well and fry for 1 to 2 minutes.

8. Add 1/2 cup of water and let it cook till soft. Add grated ginger and salt.

9.Mix it well. Add spice powder.
10. Mix it well and cook for 2 minutes.

11. Add coriander leaves. Shift the ready curry to a serving dish. Add little more coriander leaves.
12. Serve Raw Tomato Curry as one of the side dish.

Note :

Use of onions and garlic is optional. I have used onions. Adding of spice powder is your choice. Rasam powder and Sambar powder is also suits this curry. Adding ghee/butter is optional. Adding more/less chilly is optional. Use of garam masala/chat masala powder is optional.
Time: 15 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.

Spice powder recipe.

Roast 1 teaspoon of urid dal, channa dal, 2 Tablespoons of coriander seeds, 1/4 teaspoon of methi/fenugrik seeds, red chilly (byadagi menasu) 1/2 Teaspoon of jeera/cumin seeds one by one. Dry grind with 2 tablespoons of dry coconut (2 tablespoons). Now remove from the mixi jar and use it whenever you want it.

Sweet Potato - Brinjal - Tomato Curry

Sweet Potato - Brinjal/Egg Plant/badanekai/Kattarikai and tomato curry is sweet and spicy curry.
NO Onion or No Garlic is added in this " Sweet Potato - Brinjal - Tomato Curry". 

It goes well with almost all main dishes. Good to have with plain rice, chapatis, pooris and all types of rotis. Adding sweet potato adds to the sweet taste and helps the curry to be thick.
I have used small brinjals/badanekai, tomatoes, capsicum and sweet potato. Added some home made rasam powder and very little urid dal powder. (Roasted and powdered).
Brinjal lovers always love to have brinjals cooked in different ways. It is for the brinjal lovers. It suits to all age group and goes well with any main dish as I said it earlier.
No Onion or No Garlic is used in this " Sweet Potato - Brinjal - Tomato Curry"

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Brinjals/Egg Plants/Badane Kai/ : 4 to 5
Capsicum : 1
Tomatoes : 2 to 3 (Medium size)
Sweet potato : 1 Big one
Fresh spice powder : 2 Teaspoons
Green chilly : 2
For seasoning :
Mustrd seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Methi seeds : 4 to 5 seeds
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry leaves : 5 to 6
Ingh /Asafoetida : A pinch
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
To Add :
Ginger : Grated : 1 Teaspoon
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons
Sambar powder : 2 Teaspoons

 Method :

1. Wash and cut brinjals and put it in a big bowl of water. . Pressure cook sweet potato and remove its outer skin once it is cooled. Keep the sweet potato aside. Cut cooked sweet potato into small pieces.
2. Wash and cut capsicum and tomatoes in to small pieces. (Remove the seeds from both the veggies before cutting).
3. Wash and slit green chilly, remove the outer layer of ginger wash it and then grate it.
4.Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Put oil and mustard seeds, urid dal and methi seeds.Let mustard seeds splutter. Add jeera and green chilly.



4. Add curry leaves and ingh. Fry for a little. Add cut brinjal and fry for 2 minutes.
5. Add cut tomatoes, capsicum and fry nicely. Add turmeric powder and little water. (1/2 Cup).



6. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add cooked sweet potato pieces and stir nicely.
7. Add sambar/rasam powder. Mix it well. Let it cook for a minute.

8.Shift the ready " Sweet Potato- Brinjal - Tomato curry to a serving dish.

9. Add cut curry leaves and serve the dish with your choice of main dish you have prepared.

Note :

Add 1/2 Cup of water and cook all the vegetables till soft. Adding sweet potato adds sweet taste to the curry. Adding jaggery is optional. I have used home made Sambar Powder. Choice of Sambar powder is optional. Use of coconut is optional. I did not add. Adding any other spice instead of sambar powder is optional. Use of fresh sambar powder adds to the taste. Use of onions and garlic is optional. Fry them and then add brinjal and other veggies.
Time : 20 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4 
Home made Sambar powder :
1/4 Teaspoon methi seeds/Fenugrik seeds
2 Tablespoons of coriander seeds :
1/2 Teaspoon of jeera/cumin seeds
4 to 5 Red chilly
Urid dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Curry Leaves : 5 to 6
Dry roast the ingredients one by one on low flame and dry grind it once it is cooled. ( 1 Time use).

Pigeon Peas - Tomato Curry

Pigeon Peas/Toor peas/ Togari kalu available plenty in the market. It is green and fresh. We can prepare many dishes using this peas. It is healthy, protein filled and energetic.

I have used here Pigeon Peas in the dal and it is an easy dish as usual. I feel that cooking should be easy and enjoyable and yummy. You need to have little love for cooking. So the food you cook and serve will be definitely yummy.
Let us see some benefits of eating Pigeon Peas/Toor dal in our diet.
Pigeon Pea is a good source of protein as I said earlier. It is a dietary fiber and contain vitamins, minerals like magnesium, potassium, copper, phosphorus, and manganese. Pigeon peas is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. The health benefits of using pigeon peas is, ability to stimulate growth. It does contain potassium and it helps to control and manage blood pressure, It helps to prevent anemia and boost heart health and improve digestion. Pigeon peas contain B Vitamins and Vitamin C. They help to prevent the storage of fat and boost overall energy levels.
Let us see the recipe Now:
No Onions  and No Garlic added in this Pigeon Peas - Tomato Curry" and you can use it for any special day, feast or festival. The curry goes well with chapatis, dosa, idli and plain rice.

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Pigeon Peas : 2 Cups
Toor Dal : 1 Handful
To Add :
Green chilly : 2
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Tomatoes : 2 ( Medium size)
Dry Ginger : 1/2 Teaspoon
Rasam Powder/Sambar Powder : 2 Teaspoons ( I used MTR Rasam Powder).
Goose berry : 2 (Optional)
Salt : As required
Coriander leaves : 2 Tablespoons
For Tempering /Seasoning
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon
Urid Dal : 1/2 Teaspoon
Jeera /Cumin seeds : 1/2 Teaspoon (Optional)
Ingh/Asafoetida : A pinch
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8 Leaves
Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Remove the pods of pigeon peas and wash it once. Wash toor dal. Cook both the legumes in pressure cooker/in a big cooking pan.

2. Wash and cut tomatoes, green chilly (slit in between) and coriander leaves into thin.

3. Crush pepper pods and keep it aside. Grate gooseberry and keep it aside.
4. Keep a pan on the fire and heat. Add oil and mustard seeds, urid dal and let mustard splutter.
5. Add jeera and ingh. Add cut green chilly and curry leaves. Fry for a second.
4. Add tomatoes and fry for 2 minutes. Add cooked dal and pigeon peas. Add crushed pepper.

5. Add salt, turmeric powder, dry ginger and mix it well. Let it cook for 2 minutes.

6. Add MTR Rasam powder and mix it nicely and cook for another 3 minutes.

7. Shift the curry to a serving bowl. Add grated gooseberry and coriander leaves.

8. Add a tablespoon of ghee and serve with hot plain rice/roti/chapati/idli/doa or poori

You can grate one or two gooseberry and put it in a bowl of thick curd and mix it nicely with coriander and salt. You can have this as one more side dish with the food.

Note :

Adding toor dal helps the curry to be thick and adds to the taste. Adding any brand of rasam/curry powder/sambar powder is optional. You can also add garam masala to the curry. Remember Garam Masala dries up the moisture in your body quickly and it is wise to use once in while. (healthy tip).
Adding lemon extract to the curry instead of gooseberry is optional.Taste differ. Adding fresh ginger gratings instead of dry ginger powder is optional. Adding onions or garlic to the curry is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to  4.