Sweet Tomato Chutni

Bongs have a habit of not being able to pronounce the small 'u'. So Burger is Baargaar, culture is caalchaaar and chutni is Chaatni. No I am not making fun of Bongs as I myself have those half bong genes in me. And I firmly believe that perfect itself is imperfect and its all those imperfections that the life is worth living for. I have a friend who speaks only English and has a PHD in the language. And my mother learned only to write and read English as she knew three other languages she could manage the world with. So my friend meets my mother in a party and both of them spoke the language, other was comfortable with and nobody checked on others' errors and it was those imperfections in the language which was oh so sweet and aw so unforgettable. Yes, I am all for learning new and officially acceptable language but then I am again, all for the linguistic approach of constant change and trying to perfect the imperfect. Well trying to be perfect is impossible, but the imperfect route to perfection does sound interesting. So for the moment, am just proud to be imperfect!

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Ingredients: 

• 5 medium sized tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 or 2 Red chilli/ chillies
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon of panch puran ( panch puran is made of  fenugreek seed, nigella seed, cumin seed, black mustard seed and fennel seed in equal parts)- if you don't have these, just add mustard seeds
  
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• salt 
• 2 table spoon sugar

 Method:

• Microwave the chopped tomatoes for 10 mins and keep it aside ( this speeds the process)
• In a pan heat some oil and add red chilli/ chillies and a bayleaf
• When the red chilli darkens add panchpuran/ mustard seeds and let it splutter
• Add the microwaved tomatoes and turmeric powder.
• Cover and let it cook adding salt, and chilli powder with water.
• When half done, add sugar and cook for another 10 mins

This is a side dish for khichadi in festivals.

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Saw " Dead Poets' society" yesterday, Moral-Carpe diem - Sieze the day. Wonderful movie!
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