Tomatoche saar

Ingredients:

4 medium sized ripe (red) tomatoes

2-3 garlic cloves,

1 small piece ginger,

3-4 green chilies (vary the amount as per the taste),

4-5 curry leaves,

chopped coriander leaves,

1 tsp cumin seeds,

1 tsp turmeric powder,

1/4 tsp asafoetida

salt to taste

2-3 tsp ghee

1 tsp sugar

Method:

Boil tomatoes till soft (Microwave is useful for this). Remove the shells and purée tomatoes in a grinder. Add water to this purée as per the desired consistency. Also add salt and sugar and let it boil over medium heat.Make a paste of green chilies, garlic and ginger.Now, heat another small pan. Add 2-3 tsp ghee. When the ghee is heated, add cumin seeds, asafoetida, turmeric powder, curry leaves and chili-ginger-garlic paste. This is 'tempering' (also called phodni in Marathi) for the saar.When tomato purée starts boiling, pour the hot tempering over it. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes.Garnish with lots of coriander leaves and serve hot with rice.

Note: 

To thicken the saar, add 1 tsp rice flour or 1 tsp all purpose flour or 1 small grated boiled potato and again bring it to a boil.