Tomato Achaar ~ Tomato Dip!

I guess its been our fondest dream to have a decent family dinner with the kids along. We have never seen it happen, as most times either of us or both, will be chasing the kids around the restaurant or whatever place we happen to be. It was the same with Konda when she was this age, now its with the boys. Only we have grown older! Dad always used to challenge Konda to sit still for a minute, but after seeing the boys, he has reduced the span for a second or even less. They hardly understand what he says. They have that innocent look which says they hardly can do such devious things!

Hubby dear finally decided that we would risk the chance and take them to a restaurant, hoping they would sit quite in a new environment. Remember the last time we said we took them and to our surprise, the kids were so well behaved. Well it lasted just that day, the next couple of times we took them out, it was a complete disaster. Every other minute there was a catastrophe dooming over us. We hardly remembered what we eat, what was concluded was that, to never venture out again. But then you tend to go soft right. Especially when they look so innocent and downright harmless, it just melts hubby dear's heart. And this happens with hubby dear very often. Every other chance, he again hopes that the kids will atleast be manageable, if not actually be sitting in one place.

This time it was even worse, even before we started, they were so excited that we were going out and they were yelling out loud. If you are familiar with 2+ year old boys, you will know what I am saying! Anyone seeing this would think we never take them out! From the moment we got seated, one fellow ran over the sofa, while other ran over the floor. I finally decided, in between my morsels, its not worth admiring the yummy dal or the Paneer pasanda on the menu. What would happen if Chinnu gets down the entire laid out table with those delicate glass cookeries! I was imagining the worse, but with these darling devils, anything is possible. When they saw me coming, one ran in one direction, while one took the other way.

Since the other family members were still eating their dinner, I was left with myself to decide which way to run. Finally I caught one fellow and ran with him to catch the other devil on the prowl! On top of this, Peddu caught the fancy of an adorable one year old girl. She was so cute, with pinkish chubby cheeks, Peddu won't get away from her. He went on pinching her cheeks and saying so cute, so cute Amma. I told him sternly that he can stop lineaddichifying (as in tamil), I have better things to attend to. Like checking out what Chinnu was up too. Remember I was imagining he will pull the table down!

Pull he did, but luckily there was only one glass over the table and in seconds, we heard the glass breaking to million pieces and looks of shocked expression all around us. I grabbed both of them close, lest they step on a piece. After that it was a hurried show back home. Thus ended another of our adventure!

Coming to this Tomato Achaar that I prepared as the dip for the Momos, its a lovely combo of garlic and tomatoes. When I was going through the many recipes that I was referring, finally conjured this concoction combing ideas from all of them. Not sure if authentically this is how its made, but its one awesome dip for any snack. Off late, dips seems to have caught my fancy!

Tomato Dip ~ Achaar

Ripe Tomatoes - 2 big
Garlic flakes - 10 medium
Red chili long - 5 -7
Salt to taste

For Seasoning

Cumin Seeds
Oil - 1 -2 tsp

Method to prepare:

Boil the red chilies in 1 cup of water in sim. Remove after 5 -6 mins

Chop the tomatoes into chucks. Keep aside a quarter of the chopped tomatoes

Peel and dice the garlic.

When the red chillies are cooled, run it first in a mixer till you get a coarse or even a semi powder. Then take half of the garlic along with 3/4 tomatoes, grind it to a smooth paste.

Heat a pan with oil, temper with cumin seeds, then add the remaining chopped garlic. Fry well.

Then finally add the chunks, and simmer till the tomatoes are soft, then add the ground tomatoes. Cook well after seasoning with salt.

Cook till you get a good thick sauce. This can be served with Momos, and guess about chips or rotis etc!

This can be easily made in advance and stored in fridge!

Since this dip took me not more than 10 mins to get done, sending this to Mahimaa's 15 minute cooking event!

Momos, Fried Momos and a Birthday Bash!

Today is very special to us as its Konda's Birthday! The birthday baby was all excited and couldn't sleep much and got up early too. She turns 8 today, and dislikes being called a baby and carries herself very mature. I was really sad when I realized she didn't ask for a treat to her school friends as she does every year. It is so hard to accept our kids being all grown up! I remember a time when I used to bake for such occasions and hope sometime in future I get back to it!

Though her cousins had planned to be staying here till her birthday they left rather early due to other reasons. So plans were very much restricted with the family. The boys were all so sweet in wishing their sister birthday greetings. And infact wanted a similar dress as hers! The boys are somehow fond of Konda's dresses. I guess they are so bored with their routine dress patterns. Amma always made my birthdays very special and used to make Gulab Jamun, which was my favorite growing up. Guess its been ages since I had one. It was pretty late when we went to bed, discussing with Konda on her plans. I was insisting her tell me what she wants as in some sweet. She never being a person to eat anything in excess, was perplexed to choose something. She finally narrowed it to Payasam, with a judgmental point to be made as how her Ammamma makes. Well that's a tough yardstick for me to be measured. Still I tried and I carried some for my colleagues who licked the last bit off the bowl. I was satisfied that it must've been good.


We had a great time but most times yes, of course it was tough managing all the kids around. I made PBM and Parotta as its Konda's favorite and the party went way down late.

Coming to the Momos, these I prepared yesterday. Ever since I knew about the Momos, they have been on my list to make. Finally hubby dear forced me to get down to business, by forwarding few links for me to refer. I finally came up with my own version of the stuffing after reading on them. Not sure if this is the traditional stuffing, but I ensured I followed what was common among all links. Though I simply loved the pictures, I was told that the wrappers were hard!

I made with Mutton Keema with home made wrappers made with All purpose flour. When I got down making the moulds, I remembered Gudumulu, but that's with Rice flour and this is wheat. Dad said he had only eaten Veg Momos and the outer wrappers were extremely soft and thin. Hubby dear said the same. So I fried some to get the fried Momos, which I guess were little better.

So I need advice from the Momos experts on getting the correct wrapper, I am sure going to make it again!

I made Momos with Mutton Keema stuffing, and Tomato Achaar as the dip!

Momos with Mutton Keema!

For the wrapper:

All purpose flour - 1 & 3/4 cup (makes about 9 medium sized momos)
Salt to taste
Water to kneading

For the stuffing:

Mutton Keema - 250 gms
Onions - 1 medium
Green Chillies - 4 long
Tomatoes - 1 medium
Ginger - 4 -5 flakes
Garlic - 3"
Fresh Coriander leaves chopped handful
Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Chili powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric a pinch
Coarse pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Oil - 1 -2 tsp
Salt to taste

Method to prepare:

For the Momos:

Take the flour and mix with salt and enough water to get a pliable dough. Let it rest for an hour, with covered muslin cloth.

Before making the dumplings, knead again. divide into equal balls.

For the stuffing.

Wash and let the keema drain.

Heat a pan with oil. Add cumin seeds, then sauté in finely chopped ginger and garlic. I used grated ginger and garlic. Sauté well.

Then add finely chopped onions, along with green chilies, coriander leaves.Fry well till the onions start sweating. Add the chopped tomatoes along with all the spice powders except pepper. Simmer for 5 mins, till the tomatoes turn soft.

Add the drained keema, combine everything well. Simmer for 10 mins, for the meat to get cooked. When the meat is done, sprinkle the pepper and mix again.

Allow it to cool down before you start making the Momos.

For the Momos:

Dust the rolling board, take one ball, roll out a circle of 5" diameter or you can flatten in your palm as how you will make your stuffed parathas. Only difference being you don't flatten them. Observe the pattern in most Momos, you can stick to opposite layer as in pleats once you have the stuffing within.

Place the stuffing in the center and cover together. Place the Momos in a vessel and steam for 10 - 15 minutes or till done. I used my Idli vessel, guess it will work out well.
Fried Momos:

Once the Momos are steamed, you can deep fry them in oil and you have another tasty dish on hand.

These are normally served with Tomato Achaar or dip.

Will post the Achaar later. I hope to get enlighten on the making soft Momos, so let me know!