Thakkali Kuzhambu/Tomato Kuzhambu

Special days are need to be treated in a special way, if its a birthday and we dont live near or next to the birthday gal its definitely a better and best way to shower the love we have for them is by wishing them on their birthday virtually. Actually today one of my blogger buddy is celebrating her birthday. My days will be long if i dont speak to her, i feel sad if i dont see her in online, you can guess how important she is. We are best buddies since years eventhough we never had a chance to meet personally, but it doesnt matter friendship dont have boundary and doesnt need to meet face to face, just a fone call or a online chat is enough to grow up this beautiful bond between two persons who shares the same passions. Am talking about Sangee Vijay of Spicy Treats, she is celebrating her birthday today and few of us are going to celebrate her birthday virtually by cooking dishes from Kongunadu, where she comes from.I chosed few dishes from her space but i ended up with this fingerlicking gravy with tomatoes.

Dear Sangee
You are such a special friend,
Who deserves a special day,
For being who you are and
Bringing joy in every way.
You make me smile and laugh,
with everything you do,
So today I get to send
A special Birthday wish to you!

அன்பு சங்கீதாக்கு..
எங்கள் இனிய பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள் 

This dish is very special to Sangee, its her dad's dish obviously i want to cook it specially for her on this special day. This kuzhambu tastes soo delicious with rice, actually i do make this kind of gravy with tomatoes, but this dish is different from what we usually prepare. This gravy goes for boiled,pureed tomatoes, which  definitely makes the difference from the usual ones.

Recipe source: Spicy Treats
1no Onion (chopped)
4nos Tomatoes
1tbsp Ginger (crushed)
4nos Garlic cloves (crushed)
Few curry leaves
1/4tsp Turmeric leaves
1tsp Chilly powder
2tsp Coriander powder
Salt
Chopped coriander leaves
1/2tsp Mustard seeds
1tsp Fennel seeds

To grind
1/4cup Grated coconut
1tsp Poppy seeds

Grind the coconut and poppy seeds as fine paste with enough water,keep aside.

Drop the tomatoes in boiling water, once you can see the skin of the tomato peels off, switch off the stove.

Transfer it to chilled water, remove the skin and blend as puree.

Heat enough oil, add the mustard seeds, fennel seeds,let them splutters.

Add the crushed ginger,garlic,curry leaves, saute for few minutes.

Now add the chopped onions, cook until the onions turns transculent, add the spice powder, cook for a minute.

Add the tomato puree,half a cup of water, turmeric powder, salt and let it boil.

Finally add the coconut paste, enough water, cook in medium flame until the gravy gets slightly thick.

Put off the stove, add the coriander leaves.

Stir and serve with rice.