Homemade Tomato Puree Recipe | Easy Fresh Tomato Puree

Making fresh tomato puree at home is simple, economical, and free from preservatives. This homemade tomato puree can be used in curries, soups, gravies, pasta sauces, and many other dishes. It adds a rich tomato flavor and beautiful color to your recipes.

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Yield

Approximately ¾ cup tomato puree

Ingredients

• ½ kg ripe tomatoes
• 2 cups water

Method

1. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly.
2. Place the tomatoes in a vessel with 2 cups of water.
3. Boil for about 20 minutes or until the tomato skins begin to loosen.
4. Allow the tomatoes to cool completely.
5. Peel off the skin carefully.
6. Using a knife, remove the seeds and the hard white stem portion.
7. Transfer the tomato flesh to a blender and blend until smooth.
8. Your fresh homemade tomato puree is now ready to use.

Storage Tips

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze in ice cube trays for convenient portioning.
• Store frozen puree for up to 3 months.

Uses of Tomato Puree

• Indian curries and gravies
• Butter chicken and paneer recipes
• Pasta sauces
• Soups
• Pizza sauce
• Stews and casseroles

Fresh homemade tomato puree enhances the taste of dishes while avoiding the preservatives found in store

Baking Partners: A new Baking Group

A group of home bakers helping each other to achieve perfection.

Baking a home made Baking a homemade bread, cake or cookies will give the best outcome. However in order to achieve the best results, a perfect recipe and right techniques are required.

We are a small group of home baker friends, who love and want to learn more about the nook and corners of baking.  We are planning to try out recipes from books/magazines and cooking shows.  Every member gets a chance to present their choice of recipe and share important points with the rest of the group.

Main purpose of this group is to learn the techniques, critic the procedure if there are ways to improve, and to eat a delicious food.

Rules are simple, we will choose one recipe and send it out to the group by 16th of every month and the reveal date will be 15th of the next month. On that day we will blog about it. A linky tool will be open during that time and each member can link their post.

First month we are going to do a recipe, 2nd and 3rd month will be a theme and the 4th month we will be back at a recipe. By doing in between recipes, we will able to learn more.

All enthusiastic bloggers interested in baking are welcome, please email Swathi  of Zesty South Indian Kitchen  at favoriterecipes12@gmail.com.

We will appreciate the use of logo or worded link that will help to spread the word.  A bunch of thanks to Tina for designing this beautiful logo

If you   want to make it a gluten or vegan free diet, you can do those modifications also.

Authentic Sindhi Sai Bhaji Recipe | Healthy Spinach and Lentil Curry

Sai Bhaji is one of the most beloved dishes from Sindhi cuisine. The word "Sai" means green and "Bhaji" means vegetables. This wholesome one-pot meal combines fresh leafy greens, lentils, and a variety of vegetables into a nutritious and delicious dish.

Ever since I started making this Sai Bhaji at home, it has become a family favorite. Even my husband, who is usually a picky eater, asks for it almost every week! Packed with the goodness of spinach, lentils, and vegetables, this recipe is proof that healthy food can be incredibly tasty.

The best part is its versatility. You can customize the vegetables based on what you have in your refrigerator, making it an excellent recipe for using up leftover vegetables. Traditionally, Sai Bhaji is served with steamed rice, but it also tastes wonderful with roti, paratha, dosa, or even plain bread.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

✔ Rich in protein and fiber
✔ Loaded with vitamins and minerals
✔ One-pot healthy meal
✔ Kid-friendly and family-friendly
✔ Perfect for meal prep
✔ Naturally vegetarian and nutritious

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Serves

4

Ingredients

To Be Pressure Cooked

• 2 cups finely chopped spinach (palak)
• ¾ cup chana dal, soaked for 2 hours
• 4 tsp finely chopped onions
• ½ cup finely chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• ½ cup finely chopped carrot
• ½ cup finely chopped beans
• ¾ cup cauliflower florets
• ½ cup finely chopped radish
• 1 tsp garam masala (optional)
• Salt to taste
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 cup water

For Tempering

• 3 tsp oil
• ½ tsp mustard seeds (rai)
• ½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 6–7 curry leaves
• 2–3 dried red chillies, broken
• 4–5 garlic cloves, crushed

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients listed under "To Be Pressure Cooked" in a pressure cooker.
2. Add water and cook for 2 whistles.
3. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
4. Lightly mash the cooked mixture to achieve a thick consistency.
5. Heat oil in a small pan.
6. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
7. Once they splutter, add curry leaves, red chillies, and crushed garlic.
8. Sauté until fragrant.
9. Pour the tempering over the cooked Sai Bhaji and mix well.
10. Serve hot with steamed rice, roti, paratha, or dosa.

Serving Suggestions

• Steamed rice
• Phulka or chapati
• Paratha
• Dosa
• Multigrain roti

Enjoy this comforting bowl of Sindhi goodness with your family!  

Shimla Mirch Ki Kombdi | Roasted Capsicum Chicken Curry Recipe

If you're a capsicum lover, this unique chicken curry is sure to become a favorite. The smoky flavor of roasted capsicum blends beautifully with aromatic spices, creating a rich and flavorful gravy that pairs perfectly with rotis.

Why Capsicum is Good for You

Capsicum is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients:

• Low in fat and carbohydrates, making it a weight-loss-friendly vegetable.
• Rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
• An excellent source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, which help strengthen immunity.
• Supports heart health by helping regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Contains capsaicin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and potential cancer-fighting properties.
• May help support overall health and wellness when included as part of a balanced diet.

This delicious curry is a wonderful way to enjoy the goodness of capsicum in a comforting meal.

Ingredients

For the Curry

• 250 g chicken
• 3 tsp oil

For the Masala Paste

• 1 roasted capsicum, deskinned, deseeded, and finely chopped
• 1 tsp finely chopped fresh fenugreek (methi) leaves
• 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
• 1 tsp cashew paste (made from 4 cashews)
• A pinch of turmeric powder
• 1 tsp roasted cumin seeds
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp yogurt (dahi)
• 2 tsp poppy seeds (khus khus)
• 1 tsp grated coconut
• 4–5 garlic cloves
• 1-inch piece ginger
• 1 tsp crushed cinnamon
• 2 cloves
• 2 green cardamoms
• 1 tsp peppercorns

Shortcut: You may replace the last six ingredients with 1 tsp garam masala and 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste.

Method

Step 1: Roast the Capsicum

Roast the capsicum directly over an open flame until blackened and charred on all sides.

Step 2: Prepare the Masala Paste

Allow the capsicum to cool. Remove the skin and seeds, then chop it finely.

Blend the roasted capsicum along with all the ingredients listed under "Masala Paste" to form a smooth green paste.

Step 3: Cook the Curry

Heat oil in a kadai.

Add the chicken and prepared green masala paste. Mix well and cook on medium heat until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Step 4: Serve

Garnish with a swirl of fresh cream and serve hot.

Serving Suggestion

This flavorful capsicum chicken curry tastes best with:

• Roti
• Chapati
• Phulka
• Naan

Gobi Masala Dosa Recipe | Spicy Cauliflower Masala Dosa for Breakfast

Spicy, flavorful, and packed with the goodness of cauliflower, this Gobi Masala Dosa pairs perfectly with hot sambar and coconut chutney. A great choice for weekend breakfasts or special occasions!

Ingredients

For Tempering

• 3 tsp oil
• A pinch of hing (asafoetida)
• 1 tsp coarsely crushed peppercorns
• 1 tsp finely chopped green chilies

For the Gobi Masala

• 4 tsp chopped onions
• 4 tsp chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tsp finely chopped mint leaves
• ½ tsp curd
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ cup finely chopped cauliflower
• A pinch of turmeric powder
• ½ tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Other

• Dosa batter, as required

Method

1. Heat oil in a kadai and add hing, crushed peppercorns, and green chilies.
2. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
3. Stir in the tomatoes, mint leaves, and ginger-garlic paste. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy.
4. Add turmeric, garam masala, red chili powder, coriander powder, curd, salt, and finely chopped cauliflower.
5. Mix well and cook until the cauliflower is tender. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and keep aside.
6. Heat a dosa tawa and spread a ladleful of dosa batter into a thin circle.
7. Cook until the dosa turns golden and crisp.
8. Place a portion of the gobi masala on one side of the dosa and fold it in half.
9. Serve hot with sambar and chutney