Green tomato bharta is a flavorful Indian dish made from green tomatoes, typically cooked with spices and other ingredients to create a delicious mash or puree-like consistency.A basic recipe for making green tomato bharta:
Ingredients:
- 4-5 medium-sized green tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons oil (mustard oil is traditionally used, but you can use any cooking oil)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust according to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a pan or kadhai over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
2. Add finely chopped onions and green chilies. Saute until the onions turn translucent.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
4. Add chopped green tomatoes to the pan along with turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and red chili powder. Mix well.
5. Cook the tomatoes until they are soft and mushy, stirring occasionally. This will take around 10-15 minutes.
6. Once the tomatoes are cooked, use a masher or the back of a spoon to mash them into a coarse puree-like consistency.
7. Season with salt according to taste and mix well.
8. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens.
9. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
10. Serve hot with roti, paratha, or rice.
This dish has a tangy and spicy flavor profile that pairs well with Indian bread or rice. Adjust the spices according to your taste preferences. Enjoy your homemade green tomato bharta!