The best food is the one that brings you joy. For me, it is tamatar ki sabzi. This dish is a perfect companion to bread, cheese, chapati, rice, crepes, snacks and more! There is so much goodness and flavor in this unbelievably simple dish that I never get tired of it.
Tamatar in Indian means tomato/es and Sabzi means vegetable/s. It can be used in connection with any vegetable. Typically any recipe of cooked vegetables is also referred to as sabzi, So here, tamatar ki sabzi means a vegetable dish made with tomatoes.
In case you want to see this recipe in action. I have uploaded the video on my YouTube channel.
Cooking this Indian version of saucy tomato dish is a breeze. It involves using tomatoes, ginger, garlic, oil, cumin seeds, and some basic spices, all cooked in one saucepan. Look for the ripest and of course tastiest tomatoes that you can find. I usually make this dish with tomatoes that are too soft to use them fresh and their overripe structure is great to create a saucy dish. You don’t have to peel or seed. The skin will disappear into the sauce and will make it more flavorful and thick.
What to serve with tamatar ki sabzi?
While it is great alongside roti, uttapam or rice, it’s also good tossed with pasta and on top of toast, grilled polenta. We had it with cornbread. It was a delicious combination. The tomatoes added nutritious value to carbs-rich cornbread.
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, this dish will taste great no matter when it is served. Hope you give this easy recipe a try. Enjoy it with whatever you like and share your thoughts in the comments.
Updated September 1, 2021 to include video link
Watch me make this easiest dish.
Ingredients
- 750 g tomatoes, diced (red, yellow, and orange are all great)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 cup, sliced onion
- 2 small dates, finely chopped (or your preferred sweetener)
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1/2 -3/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste
- 1 cup loosely packed, chopped spinach or Chard (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds.
- When they splutter, add the onions and sauté them still slightly golden brown.
- Add ginger and garlic paste. Fry for about a minute.
- Add turmeric powder, give a quick stir.
- Next add diced tomatoes along with red chili powder, dates, coarsely ground black pepper, and salt.
- Mix it well, cover and cook covered until the tomatoes soften. Stir it occasionally to ensure that it doesn’t stick.
- Once the tomatoes are soft, add spinach or chard leaves (or garnish with fresh cilantro). Turn off heat and serve with roti, rice, uthappam or whatever you fancy.
Vasudha
Hello Balwinder,
You took me down the memory lane with this simple yet flavorful dish….thank you for the post!
Balvinder
You’re very welcome, Vasudha! Glad it took you down to memory lane. Phie aaj bana hi lo.
angiesrecipes
Simple yet amazing, esp. if the tomatoes are from your own garden 🙂
Maria
I make a simpler version of this as my go to lunch on busy days. I love the addition of greens and dates in this.
Pam Nelson
It looks delicious!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
I love all of the flavors you’ve incorporated! This would be so amazing served over some rice or noodles.
John / Kitchen Riffs
This looks terrific! I’ve had something similar in the past, but yours looks much, much better. I’d definitely add spinach. Super nice dish — thanks.
evi erlinda
This tomato sauce looks so good and fresh!
I have never done tomato sauce by adding dates, it sounds very special sweet and tasty!
Katerina
This looks like an amazing dish, Balvinder – it will be perfect when my summer crop of tomatoes comes through! Bookmarking! Thank you for sharing.
Aarthi | Prepbowls
So tempting color subzi, my kid is very particular about the red color curry sometimes , I’m sure he will eat this by the look of it, Looks great side dish for roti, thanks for the dinner idea!!
Aarthi | Prepbowls
Hi Balvinder! Tried this sabzi , and we loved it, had it with rotis and it was so good. thanks you!
Balvinder
Thanks so much Aarthi!This is the easiest and tastiest recipe.