Bengali Tomato And Onion Marmalade Recipes

TOMATO KHEJUR CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons mustard oil in a heavy kadai or pan. Keep the flame to a low and let the mustard oil begin to smoke.
• Then add 1 teaspoon panch phoron. If you do not have panch phoran then add a mix of ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds, ¼ teaspoon of nigella seeds, ¼ teaspoon of cumin seeds, ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds or radhuni seeds and ⅛ or ¼ teaspoon of fenugreek seeds.
• Immediately add 2 dry red chilies (seeds removed).
• Fry for some seconds till the spices crackle and become aromatic.
• Then add 1 teaspoon grated ginger.
• Saute for some seconds till the raw aroma of ginger goes away. Don't brown the ginger.
• Add 1.75 cups chopped tomatoes.
• Mix tomatoes with the rest of the spices and oil.
• Add salt as per taste and mix again.
• Cover the kadai or pan with a lid. Let the tomatoes cook till they soften. Cooking tomatoes takes about 9 to 10 minutes on a low to medium-low flame.
• In between do check a couple of times when the tomatoes are cooking.
• Let the tomatoes soften and becomes mushy.
• Now add 1 tablespoon raisins and 2 tablespoon chopped dates or 4 dates, chopped.
• Mix very well.
• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon dry mango powder (optional). 2 tablespoons sugar gives a more sweet taste. For less sweetness add 1 tablespoon sugar or you can skip sugar completely.
• Mix again. The sugar will melt and you will see a liquid consistency in the tomato chutney.
• After adding sugar, stir often and mash tomatoes with spoon or spatula. Cook till the tomato chutney thickens for about 4 to 5 minutes. If the tomatoes start sticking to the pan, then add some water and cook. I did not add any water.
• Once done switch off the flame. Serve tomato khejur chutney warm or at room temperature with a bengali meal. Leftovers can be kept in a small airtight bottle or bowl and refrigerated. Stays well for 4 to 5 days in the fridge.

TOMATO MARMALADE

Steps:

• REMOVE peel from tomatoes and cut in small pieces.
• Slice oranges and lemons very thin and quarter the slices.
• Pour off juice from the tomatoes.
• Add sugar.
• Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Add oranges, lemons, and spices which have been tied loosely in cheesecloth bag.
• Place mixture over high heat and boil rapidly, stirring often.
• Cook until clear and thick (about 50 minutes).
• Pour into sterilized jars to within 1/2 inch of top.
• Put on cap, screw band firmly tight.
• Process in Boiling Water Bath 10 minutes.

BENGALI TOMATO AND ONION MARMALADE

Steps:

• Remove cardamom seeds from pods and grind with mustard seeds in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add ground cardamom and mustard, bay leaves, pepper flakes, sugar, and ginger, and stir until mixture darkens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in onions, broth or water, and salt. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes and cook for 40 minutes longer, or until onions are soft and flavors are well blended. Stir in vinegar.
• Warm pita breads in a 250-degree oven and cut into wedges. Place marmalade in a serving dish, and serve with pita wedges and bowls of yogurt and chopped cilantro.