Saturday, March 31, 2007

Tamatar soya-wadi di kadhi : JFI tomato

Food blogsopshere is always abuzz with interesting events that serve as a platform to share not just recipes but ideas and conecpts related to food. One such great event is "Jivha for Ingredients", which features one ingredient every month. Conceptualized and brought to the blogosphere by Indira (of the wonderful Mahanandi blog), the event is being hosted this month by RP of My Workshop (another great blog) and features TOMATOES.



Today I'll share a simple, yet very delicious recipe featuring tomatoes. Its a fusion of the classic kadhi with some relatively newer ingredients of Indian cooking. We've all heard about and relished the kadhi classics like "Pakore wali kadhi", "Majjige huli", "Mor Kozhambu" and many many more delicious variations of dahi/curd based gravies from across the different subcultures in India. Punjabis traditionally make two basic varieties of kadhis, the stylish and hearty pakore wali kadhi, which is also the more popular one; and the very sublime kadhi with vegetables.....the latter graced by the presence of a whole variety of veggies and greens. The simplest of these is tamatar wali kadhi :). This curd based delight with tangy tomatoes now takes an interesting turn by including the soya-wadi, popularly known as nutrella/nutri nuggets. These are dried chunks of soy and are quite popular in some cuisines from Northern India. Where did i get this idea from! Well, quite some time ago, while travelling, my Dad sampled soya wadi di kadhi at a Railway Station dhaba! So all thanks to the bhaiya ji at the dhaba :). Anyways, with or without soya wadis, tamatar di kadhi is quick to make and a delish relish :). Here's my recipe for Tamatar soya-wadi di kadhi.

We need:

  • 1 and 1/2 cup buttermilk or beaten curd (sour preferred)
  • 2 and 1/2 tbsp. besan
  • 1/4 onion (chopped chunky)
  • 2 big, ripe TOMATOES (chopped chunky)
  • 10-15 soya chunks (soaked in warm water to soften)
  • Ginger (chopped, to taste)
  • 1/2 bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp. each of jeera and dhaniya (cumin and coriander) seeds
  • 1/4 tsp. each of methi-dana (Fenugreek seeds) and kalonji (Nigella seeds)
  • 1 tbsp. oil
  • Turmeric and chilli powder
  • 1/4 tsp. Garam masala
  • Kasuri Methi (dried methi leaves) and Cilantro (both for garnishing)
Heat oil and splutter jeera, dhaniya, methi-dana and kalonji (in that order). Add onions and saute, followed by ginger and bell-peppers. (While its being saute'd-we must also keep ready the besan-curd mix. For that, beat the curd smooth and slowly add besan, preventing any clumps. We can use buttermilk instead). Now add 1/2 of the chopped tomatoes, stir and cook. Add turmeric and chilli powder (add only 1/4 tsp.turmeric-the color gets darker as we cook). Stir to make the base and add rest of the tomatoes. Reduce the flame and slowly add the curd-besan mix while stirring to prevent curdling. Squeeze out excess water from soaked soya-wadis and add to the kadhi. Add more water and bring to boil. Cook on low heat to allow the kadhi to thicken a bit. Add the kasuri methi and garam masala, cover the pot and let sit for 5 mins. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice.


I served this with matar pulaav. This kadhi looks a lil' orange because of the tomatoes and quite a riot of colors, what with the bell peppers etc added. Methi and cilantro add a distinct aroma.....and no, they don't clash: rather they complement each other very nicely. It works well even if the curd is not that sour because tomatoes provide tangy taste. Also, instead of adding soya-wadis to the kadhi, you might like to add them to the pulaav (Mom often used to make soya-wadi matar pulaav).


Next: Paronthe te achhar :)

31 comments:

Pelicano said...

Ha! Anita told me to be patient with waiting for kadhi recipes, and voila! this looks like a great one Musical- it has kalonji too I see...odd how so many of us are using it all of a sudden- it is delicious though! I just made a bread with kalonji sprinkled on top...plus one of my cats is named...I'm babbling. Forgive me! I'll try this within a few days and give you a review! ;-)

musical said...

Oh wow! Kalonji suits a cat so well-super cute. Post some pictures :).

err.....Kalonji is also the cat's name, right.

This spice rocks! so does the your bread-recipe! its a must for me in any kadhi without pakoras :).

Anonymous said...

Kadhi is looking good. And look at them paranthas! Who's the other plate for ??! :-)Fusion here as well - bell peppers in Kadhi!

Unknown said...

Ah finally, last time I came over to your blog, I was bumped off by some bouncers who asked for my 'id :)

So now we have some authentic punju cuisine on the block too...

I was terribly impressed on seeing some words I cannot reproduce now...I almost thought you were Kashmiri too :)

Now that entry is free, I shall be around often...Usually I don;t add any veggies in kadhi, but had tried a few weeks ago with lots of tomatoes...I liked it because it is a cross between a veggie dish and a kadhi - two in one kinda

Richa said...

hello ji,
thuaddi kadhi bot vadhiya e !
soya & bell papper paake, very unique. thodi sadde lai bhi bhejdo, pulav naal ;-)

There are so many varieties of kadhi's,isn't it amazing?

thanks to you (and bhaiyaji) we have a new version.

bee said...

hey, my soy wadis in the pantry are happy now. i've found a use for them.

musical said...

Anita:

If it weren't for your soothing words, forget about the post, the kadhi wouldn't even have landed up in my tummy! These days i usually make kadhi with sabzis mostly! because, whenever i make pakore, i end up hogging them with tea over a cpl. of day!! BTW, both plates are for me: paratha for lunch and chapati for dinner ;). But, i'm making a plate for you with whatever you ask for :).

Nandita:

Hello! and sorry about that id crap!! THe blog was just born that day.....and still not out of default settings :(. But i am really glad you are here. I am Punju, but the kashmiri food came easy to me courtesy some friends :).

Richa:

Kadhi being mailed over, with coriander leaves ;), and pulao. haan, redhi wale bhaiya ji de kol bahut tricks hundiyaan ne :).


Bee:

Am glad that this makes the soya wadis in your pantry happy-and the smiling visage in your picture makes me happy :). am glad you liked this idea.

TNL said...

Wah bolo Dhabe wale bhaiya ki! What a lovely recipe...served with that rice, I don't think I'd need anything else with it!
Lovely colors...I have yet to try a kadhi I didn't like!

thanks Surili...bahut accha.

trupti

musical said...

Hey Trupti, glad you liked it. and you are right.....kadhi is ever favorite.

and its crosses cultural boundaries too. Another one for National food :).

Yup and dhabe wale bhaiyas idea to add soya-wadis is great, to say the least.

FH said...

Khadi looks great M! Never used Soya before but will try now.Loved Methi Zucchini too.
Sorry ,couldn't come here earlier,Allergy is killing me!

musical said...

Hey Asha, do you have spring fever? OMG, get well soon Akka.....

Hey and no sorries :). Your time is more valuable :) (i know you don't blog-hopping over weekends these days) :).

Cheers,
musical.

Anonymous said...

Hi Musical, it does indeed look delicious, and a stroke of genius to add those soy nuggets. I have alot of them floating around here -- shall certainly try this dish and use some up :)

Anonymous said...

Hey the photos look really good! What were you complaining about?! Soy wadis make a great healthy replacement for those fried wadis. I am out of Nutrela. I still haven't made my kadhi. But I fertilized my lawn and moved okra seedlings into larger pots. So at least I did something! :-D

musical said...

Linda:

Hello and welcome to my kitchen :).I completely agree-the dhaba wala really had an idea! Do try it and lemme know how you liked it :).

Manisha:

I am waiting for your kadhi :). I know, i was relieved that the photos came out fine.....and the camera is also up and running now.
and kudos, you did some gardening! you have some energy. So, you are growing okra-i am coming over for some Okra kichari :).

Anonymous said...

fingers and toes crossed for all my okra seedlings. Some already look like they are beginning to dry even though technically there is no reason for them to, apart from having me around that is. But if they do survive and do give me okra pods, I have so many things I want to do with okra from my garden! You come over and we'll make lots of stuff together!

This Richa had me totally confused. Over here she's fluent in Punjabi. On my blog she's fluent in Marathi. I wondered if it was the same gal and it is! Wowee! Richa, what other languages do you speak? Hindi, for sure. Do tell!

musical said...

Manisha:

Sure we'll make everything that can be made out of Okra :).

"Apart from me around"
ha ha ha.....

Richa is one really amazing person :). She even talk fluent Gujarati! i won't be surprised if i see her talking in all Indian languages :).(Pages Richa).

Richa said...

hi musical & manisha,
vanakkam! aaepdi erkay?
have you seen my tamil blog? oh sorry, it is well past 1st april! ha! ha!

itna mat chadhao yaar, 'blush! blush!'
mala 4/5/6... bhasha yetat ;-)



keep smiling ;-)

Sia said...

where did i see this tomatar kadi today? i guess i better bookmark this recipe b4 my brain goes bonkers;) with so many yummy recipes out there i am finding it difficult to choose one. but kadi is something which i can usually drink like buttermilk;)

musical said...

Richa:

Truly, i won't be surprised if you have a Tamil blog indeed.


Sia:

"where did i see this tamatar kadhi today"

Happens to me all the time, Sia-i see a recipe while blog-shooping, don't book-mark and the two days later go bonkers searching blogs when i am really craving something!!

Hey, bookmark it and better still make it :).

Anonymous said...

the kadi looks yum. i need to try this. recipe looks healthy too:)

musical said...

Hi Reena,

welcome to my blog, dear.

Its very tasty indeed, just like all kadhis. and sometimes, the Dhaba guys also dish out something healthy :).

Sig said...

yummy... this is like the morukari or pulisseri in Kerala minus the besan and soy. Though I've never made it with tomatoes, it must be good, sour over sour I'll take it anyday. :)

Kajal said...

Hi Musical,
WOW.....Great dish with great idea.
I definitely try it. I like recipe with use of yogurt.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!
Kajal

musical said...

Sig:

Yup! quite like the Moru-kozhambu. This is sour but not like tamarind sour, suits everyone :). Tomatoes go quite well with this.....if you love tomatoes, you are gonna' love this one.

"Sour over sour"
am glad you said it.....any preparation with sour yogurt usually gets my vote :)).


Kajal:

You are always welcome :).
Aren't yogurt based dishes delicious. Let me know how you liked it.

Anonymous said...

Hi musical
First time here!loved your version of kadhi with soya

musical said...

Dear Roopa,

Welcome to my lil' corner and am glad you liked this recipe.

Cheers,
musical.

Suganya said...

hi,
First time to ur bolg...... Ur tamatar soya-wadi kadhi is very nice.......

musical said...

Dear Sukanya:

Sorry for the late response. Thanks a lot for visiting this blog.....am glad you liked this recipe.

Cheers,
musical.

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Unknown said...

Dear Musical,
Can you pls advise how many tsp of dried kasuri methi and ginger you used. Many thanks
Izabel

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