Tomato Gravy / thakkali Kuzhambu

Tomato gravy or Thakkali Kuzhambu (tamil) is another variation of those routine gravies. One of our family favorites, I gave a little twist to my mom version by adding chilli powder. You can omit Chilli powder and increase the Black pepper. Want to try this quick and easy gravy without any dhal, tamarind and coconut? 

Here you go.

Ingredients:

Vegetables: brinjal or radish (1 /2 cup chopped)
Tomato: 3 large
Onion: 1 diced
Garlic: 5 cloves
Black Pepper powder: 1 tsp
Cumin powder: 1 tsp
Chili powder: 1 tsp
Coriander powder: 1 tsp
Turmeric: pinch
Salt: to taste
Oil: 1 tsp

Seasoning:
Mustard seeds: 1tsp

Method:

Poke holes to the tomatoes with a fork; microwave for 4 min. let it cool and grind into puree.
Heat a pot with oil adds the mustard seeds, once cracked. Add the onion & garlic and fry until translucent, add the vegetables, chili powder, turmeric, pour ½ cup of water and let the vegetable cook. Once the vegetables are done, add salt, tomato puree, black pepper, cumin and coriander powder. Let it boil for 5 to 7 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and curry leaves.
The tomato Gravy can be served with plain rice or roti.

U can use vegetables or not and alternate the cumin + Black pepper to rasam powder. I used radish and my homemade rasam powder (2 tsp).