Chettinadu Thakali Pachadi | Tomato Dal

This is what I make when I am lazy or get tired of the usual sambar/rasam/kuzhambu/kootu to go along with rice. This is extremely simple, easy and quick to make, not to mention finger licking good. Just pair this Tomato Pachadi with Rice + ghee and some appalams and you have a delicious lunch ready in less than 30 min.

Ingredients

Serves - 4
Spice Level - Moderate
Prep Time - 10 min
Cook time - 20 min

Onion - 1 medium sized, chopped finely
Tomato - 3 large ripe, chopped into small pieces
Curry Leaves - 1 sprig
Green chilli - 3-4, slit lengthwise and cut in half
Salt - as per need
Hing - a generous pinch
Jeera seeds/Cumin - 1/2 Tsp
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric - a pinch
Cooked Toor Dal/Tuvaram Paruppu - 1 cup
Tamarind paste - 2 Tsp
Oil - 2 Tbsp


How do you do it

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add hing, mustard, jeera seeds to pop and roast. Add onions and curry leaves, saute until onions start to turn a shade of brown.

2. Add the green chillies now and saute for a minute.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes, turmeric, salt and mix well. Cook covered until the tomatoes are mashed completely and ooze out juice. Should take about 10 min.

4. Now add the cooked toor dal, 1 cup water, more salt if needed and tamarind paste and mix well. Bring it to a boil and simmer on medium flame for about 5 minutes.

5. Add more water if you would like a more loose pachadi.

6. Once the right consistency has reached, remove from flame.

Serve with rice and pappads.