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.

Tomato -Vegetable Rice

Tomato - Vegetable Rice is a Rice dish and good for breakfast/brunch/lunch/dinner. It is very easy and quick to prepare. It can be packed for kids lunch box for schools and office too. It is good for travels, ladies kitty party(Pot Luck) and all type of parties.

I have used Sona - Masoori Rice and some vegetables with spices. Added little curd to give some aroma and tangy taste.
Let us see some benefits of eating " Clove" in our diet.
Cloves contain many medicinal and healthy properties. They are good for controlling diabetes. They are loaded with antiseptic, anti oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulent properties. They keep the body warm and soothing. (Rubefacient). They do have sweet aromatic pleasant fragrances. They help to improve and provide aid in digestion and constipation problems. They are good for strong bones. They are rich in minerals like potassium, manganese. iron, sodium, zinc, calcium and magnesium. Potassium helps in controlling the heart beat rate and blood pressure. They are rich with Vitamin A and beta carotene levels. (They are known as antioxidant properties. They are rich source of Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B -1, Vitamin E, Vitamin D and Vitamin C. Intake of Vitamin C helps the body to develop resistance against infection and harmful oxygen free radicals.
Please do remember to not to use cloves in large quantity. It can cause gastrointestinal irritation. disorder in central nervous system. People who suffer from stomach ulcer. Avoid eating cloves during pregnancy.
Let us see the recipe Now:

Things Needed : 

Sona Masoori Rice : 2 Cups
 Carrots : 2
Capsicum : 1
Potato : 3 to 4 (Small ones)
Tomatoes : 2
Grated Ginger : 1 Teaspoon
Onion : 1 (Big size)
Green chilly : 1
Cloves : 5 to 6
Cinnamon sticks : 3 to 4 pieces (small pieces).
Cardamom : 2
Curd/Yogurt : 1/2 Cup
Ghee : 1 Tablespoon
Oil : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : To Taste
Rasam Powder : 1 Tablespoon

Method : 

1. Wash and soak rice for 10 minutes

2 Wash and cut all the vegetables . (According to your wish). Big/Small

3. Grate coconut and keep it aside.
4. Keep a pan on the fire. Heat and then put ghee and oil.
5. Add spices, like cinnamon, cloves and cardamom

.6 Add cut onions and fry nicely. Add cut carrots, capsicum and potatoes. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes.

7. Add cut tomatoes and grated ginger. Mix all the vegetables nicely and stir for a while.
8. Add Rasam powder and fry nicely for a minute.

9. Add soaked rice. (Remove all the water before adding to fried vegetables).
10. Stir nicely for a minute. Add turmeric powder. (Half teaspoon)
11. Now put off the fire and add required salt. Mix it well. Add curd and mix it nicely.

12. Put the fried rice and vegetables to a cooker. (Pressure cooker or electrical cooker).
13. Add required water and cut coriander leaves. Let it cook for 20 to 25 minutes. (Pressure cooker)

14. Shift the ready "Tomato - Vegetable Rice " to a serving dish"
15. Add coconut gratings on the top and serve. (Adding coconut is optional).

Note :
Use of different varieties of rice is optional. (Check the ration). Adding more spices is optional.
Adding curd is optional. ( You can cook with out curd too). Adding garlic to the dish is optional.
Adding garam masala /Any other masala is optional. Adding rasam of any brand is optional.
Use of more chilly is optional. Use of pressure cooker /electrical cooker is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5.