Maharashtrian Tomato Saar | Basic Tomato Soup
Tomato saar is an authentic Maharashtrian version of the famous Tomato Soup. This tomato saar is mildly spiced, sweet & tangy in taste. This saar is made using fresh ripe tomatoes along with herbs and spices. This is a healthy, no onion no garlic, beginner-friendly, gluten-free and vegan recipe.
Ingredients
- 10 Medium Sized Tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 2-3 tablespoons Sugar (also depends on tartness of tomatoes)
- Salt to taste
- Water, to adjust the consistency
For Tadka (Tempering)
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- 4-5 Curry Leaves
Instructions
- Rinse tomatoes under tap water. Place them in a deep vessel
- Add water till the tomatoes are fully submerged.
- Blanch tomatoes for about 20-30 minutes till they are soft and cooked.
- Let the tomatoes cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, peel off the skin and add tomatoes in a blender. Without using water blend to a fine paste.
- Pour this tomato puree onto a sieve/strainer. Strain the puree to get a nice silky texture to the saar.
- Fine tomato paste is ready to make this delicious tomato saar.
- Add a teaspoon of red chilli powder, salt to taste and sugar to balance the tartness of tomatoes.
- Adding sugar here depends on your how tangy the tomatoes are, hence you need to add accordingly. I have added 2 tablespoons of sugar for making this tomato saar.
- Add water to adjust the consistency of the saar.
Meanwhile, let's make tadka.
- In a tadka pan, heat oil. Once hot, add cumin seeds and let them turn golden brown in colour. Add curry leaves.
- Pour this tadka over the tomato mixture.
- Now, let the saar come to a boil.
- Boil this tomato saar for 6-8 minutes on low to medium flame.
- Tangy, sweet & mild spicy tomato saar is ready to serve.
Notes
For a rich creamy texture, you can make use of coconut milk.
Make a crisscross slit on the bottom side of the tomatoes so it becomes very much easy to peel off the skin once they are cooked.
Instead of tempering this saar with oil, you can use ghee or vanaspati here.
You may also use spices like cumin powder or black pepper powder for extra taste.
Always use red ripe tomatoes for making this saar.