Let's Get Tangy with Tomatoes

Background: This red fruit/veggie contains Vitamin C which increases as it ripens. It also consist some amount of Vitamin B and A which is a good source of calcium and iron. Absolutely low calorie content hence is normally recommended for those who wish to shed those extra kilos because it does not add calories but at the same time fulfills the mineral and vitamin requirement of the body.

India is the fourth largest country of tomato cultivator across the globe.

When we think of fresh plum, juicy, tomatoes, first thing that comes to our mind is Tomato Soup.. Nothing can taste better than a bowl of thick hot steaming soup.
Sharing with you a few recipes here. . .

TOMATO SOUP:
Ingredients:4 large tomatoes
1 medium size Onion
1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoon fresh cream
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mint leaves and fried bread cubes for garnishing

Method: Cut the tomatoes and onion and blend it into a thick paste in a mixer. Sieve the paste through a strainer to separate the seeds and skin of the tomato. Add three cups of water (600ml) and boil it on medium flame for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper powder to taste. Pour the soup in a serving bowl. Add a cube of butter, half a spoon fresh cream. Garnish with bread cubes and mint leaves and the soup is ready to serve.

Here are some add-ons while cooking to enhance the taste or add that extra flavor to the soup.

• Try adding some fresh green peas or variation of any other veggie of your choice.
• Try adding maggie and spring onion to give that chinese touch.
• Add two large table spoon of cooked arhar dal and half a tea spoon pepper powder to serve the soup in rasam style.

TOMATO JAM:
Ingredients:6 large tomatoes
2 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
250 gms sugar
2 red chillies
Pinch of salt to taste

Method: Chop the tomatoes finely. Heat oil in a pan add mustard seeds and red chillies, and add the chopped tomatoes and sauté for 2-3 minutes on medium flame. Add sugar and salt cook the tomatoes until the water evaporates and the sugar syrup becomes slightly thick in consistency. Cool it and store in a jar. This can be used as a jam on bread slice or can be served as sweet tomato chutney with paranthas.

Tip: A face pack of tomato paste mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice will give you a soft and glowing skin.