Stuffed Tomatoes in Yogurt Gravy

Scene 1: Home
Me: Ah!!! Weekend…
He: Yeah. I can just sit at home and relax.
Me: Mmmm... I want to go out for small shopping.
He: {Looking suspicious} How “small” is this small shopping?
Me: {With all charm} Well... I need few vegetables for weekend cooking.
He: Can’t you use the one in fridge? And we have some frozen vegetables also.
Me: Oh no. No frozen vegetables. Nothing can beat the taste of fresh ingredients. I really need few ingredients. And besides I am gonna make your favourite dish.
{This piece of information gets his full attention}
He: And what is that?
Me: {Fluttering my eyelashes} Its surprise.
He: OK.. I hope it wont take more than half an hour.
Me: Yes. That’s all. Just 2-3 ingredients which I desperately need and we will be back with in half an hour.
He: OK.

Stuffed Tomatoes in Yogurt Gravy

Scene 2: Super Market
Me: Get the trolley honey.
He: Well, you did say "few" ingredients. {Stressing on few}
Me: Yeah, but look at the crowd here. Looks like whole city has come for shopping. Donno how long it will take to get it billed.
He: Just few ingredients right?
Me: Of course.
He: OK. {Not satisfied with the answer but has no option look}
Me: Oh look. Cauliflower looks so fresh!
He: But we have little cauliflower left in our fridge.
Me: I know. But I was thinking I will make Gobi Manchurian for you. It’s been sometime since I made that. And these cauliflowers are not that big.
He: {With twinkle in his eyes} Oh Gobi Manchurian? Pick one.
Me: This reminds me, I will need a pack of peppers and spring onions too.
He: What for?
Me: Don’t you know? For all Chinese dish I prepare, these ingredients are the must-must.
Oh!! Look here, they have got a good deal for mushrooms.
He: Do we need it?
Me: You do know as how I looooooooove mushrooms.
He: {Rolling his eyes} Ok.
Me: Mmm… These are the tomatoes I wanted. Big, juicy and firm.
He: Now!!! We have one full pack of tomatoes at home.
Me: I know. But I need these big tomatoes for JFI.
He: J what?
Me: JFI, it’s Jhiva For Ingredients. It’s a food event. This month’s theme is Tomato. Last time it was potatoes and I forgot to post my recipe. I don’t want to miss this time.
He: {Looks at me as if all of sudden two horns have sprouted on my head} But we have tomatoes. Cant you use them for your err…JFA?
Me: It’s JFI. And no, I need big tomatoes for stuffed tomatoes. Small ones won’t work.
He: OK. Take one pack then. {Looks at half filled trolley} Are you finished with shopping? We have got “few” ingredients you asked for.
Me: Mmm…. Just few more minutes. I need to buy pineapple.
He: We have canned one at home. And besides, our fruit basket is filled.
Me: I need pineapple for AFAM.
He: Now what is that?
Me: It’s another food event. A Fruit A Month.
He: {Looks more puzzled} How many food events you have and participate?
Me: Well, there is WFSE, MBP, VOTW, JFI, AFAM, MT, LCITK, A to Z…
He: {Confused, lost for words} OK

Stuffed Tomatoes in Yogurt Gravy

Then after one hour+ of shopping with over filled trolley "Me" and "He" come back home. "Me" happy with all the purchases and stuffing the fidge-freezer, "He" happy with all yummy food served day in and day out. So once again a very happy ending:)

Here is my entry for this month's JFI-Tomato which is hosted by gracious RP of My Workshop. Unlike last time, this time I didn't keep drooling at all my blogger buddies entries for the event and managed to post it before the deadline... Yayyy...

Stuffed Tomatoes in Yogurt Gravy

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Stuffed Tomatoes in Yogurt Gravy
Prep Time: 15-20 mins
Cooking Time: 30-40 mins
Serves: 4-5

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Ingredients:
8 large Tomatoes
For Stuffing:
2 Potatoes, cooked and mashed
2 tbsp Cheese/Paneer, grated
1 large Onion, chopped finely
1 tsp Ginger Paste
1 tsp Chilli Paste
½ tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Kitchen King Masala
½ tsp Red Chilli Powder
1 tbsp Coriander Leaves, finely chopped
1 tbsp Mint Leaves, finely chopped
Salt to taste
For Gravy:
1 medium Onion, finely chopped
1 tsp Jeera/Cumin Seeds
½ tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Kitchen King Masala
½ tsp Coriander Powder
1 cup Fresh Yougurt
2 tbsp Ghee/Oil
Salt to taste

Stuffed Tomatoes in Yogurt Gravy

Method:
Remove the top of tomato by ½ inch using a small, sharp knife.
Spoon out the pulp inside using small spoon and reserve this pulp.
Combine all the ingredients for stuffing and mix well.
Make small balls of this mixture and stuff them into the tomatoes.
Place these stuffed tomatoes into non stick baking tray and bake them at 200 degree centigrade/Gas 7 for 4-5 minutes.
In a mean while, chop the tomato pulp into small pieces.
Heat ghee/oil in a heavy bottomed pan.
To this add cumin seeds and sauté it till they starts spluttering.
Then add chopped onions and sauté them till they become soft.
Now add coriander powder, garam masala, kitchen king masala, turmeric powder, tomato pulp and salt.
Sauté them for another 2-3 minutes in a medium flame.
To this add yogurt and mix well.
Reduce the flame and arrange baked tomatoes.
Cover the lid and cook in low flame for another 5-6 minutes till the outer skin of tomatoes starts wrinkling.
Serve these stuffed tomatoes garnished with mint/coriander leaves and cashew nuts.
Tastes delicious with rice or chapaties/roties.

Stuffed Tomatoes in Yogurt Gravy

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Did You Know?
Tomatoes are members of the fruit family, but they are served and prepared as a vegetable.
There are thousands of tomato varieties. The most widely available varieties are classified in three groups: cherry, plum, and slicing tomatoes.
They are high in vitamin C and also provide beta-carotene.
The National Cancer Institute published a study that showed an association between consuming a diet rich in tomato-based foods and a decreased risk of prostate cancer.
Tomatoes contain large amounts of an antioxidant called lycopene, which may be responsible for this possible positive effect. Tomato paste and sauces contain a greater amount of lycopene, because they are more concentrated than fresh tomatoes.
(Source: www.foodreference.com)

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Stuffed Tomatoes in Yogurt Gravy