Tomato Ghotsu/chutney for Diet Pongal

Tomato ghotsu or Koshtu as they call in South India is a one pot dish, which is quick and easy to make. It is one of the perfect accompaniments for Diet pongal (recipe given in earlier post).The ripeness of the tomatoes is very essential for the tangy taste of the ghotsu and this also adds colour to the dish which is characteristic of Indian cooking.

Ingredients

Tomato - 3 big (chopped finely)

Onion - 1 ½-2 medium chopped finely

Green chilli -1-2 nos

Ginger - 1  inch chopped finely

Dhania powder - 1 tsp

Red chilli powder - 1 tsp

Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp

Rice flour - 1 tsp (optional)

Sugar - a pinch (optional)

Salt - to taste

Curry leaves - few

Coriander - to  garnish

For seasoning

Urad dal - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Hing/Asafoetida - pinch

Oil - 1 tbsp

Method

1.Take a thick bottom vessel, add oil, when the oil heats add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start spluttering, add hing and urad dal.
2. Now add the chopped onions and fry until the onions becomes transparent. You can add the green chilli and ginger at this point.
3. Next add the tomatoes.You can either add chopped tomatoes or you can grind them into a paste and then add. 
4. Let the tomatoes cook well. You can add around ¾-1 cup of water and add salt and let the tomatoes cook properly.

5. Once the tomatoes have cooked properly and the raw smell is gone add red chilli powder and dhania powder.

6. Let it boil for sometime until everything integrates well into a uniform broth. The volume would have reduced a little too. You can add rice flour if you want it to be little thick and for uniform texture. You can add a pinch of sugar, as it brings out the flavours.

Tips

1. You can add one tbsp of sambar powder instead of the dhania powder and red chilli powder
2. You can also  add cooked moong dal  in the last step after adding the tomatoes .

This simple side dish takes the accompanying dish to a whole new level be it for diet pongal, idli or dosa. It is a very versatile dish that can be made in a jiffy with basic ingredients available in your kitchen, so do give it a try it with Venn pongal for “Pongal festival”and it will soon become your staple side dish for everything you make.

Happy Relishing ghotsu!