Content
Tkemali is a Georgian spicy sauce. Georgian cuisine is distinguished by the use of a large number of different spices and herbs. Such dishes are very healthy and tasty. Only those who suffer from gastritis or peptic ulcers should not consume such products. Traditional tkemali is prepared using yellow or red plums. You can also use cherry plum. This sauce has a pleasant sweet and sour taste with a mint-lemon flavor. Georgians prefer to cook classic version of tkemali. But over time, many other cooking options appeared that became no less popular. Not only the main ingredients are added to such sauces, but also other seasonal fruits. In this article we will learn how to cook tkemali with tomatoes.
Useful properties of the sauce
Now tkemali can be prepared from a variety of berries. For example, red currants, gooseberries and plums of different varieties are used for this. The classic recipe contains pennyroyal mint, called ombalo. If you don’t have one, you can use any other mint. This sauce is usually served with meat and fish dishes. It also goes well with pasta and vegetables. Many housewives completely abandon store-bought ketchups and sauces, because tkemali does not contain any harmful ingredients or preservatives.
Since tkemali contains only fruits and herbs, it will not cause any harm to human health. Spices that contain active substances will only improve the digestion process. The sauce also preserves some vitamins, such as nicotinic and ascorbic acid, E, B1, B2. This addition to main dishes has a positive effect on the heart muscle, as well as on the transport of oxygen throughout the body. It improves the condition of hair and upper layers of skin, and also improves brain function.
Cherry plum has almost the same properties and taste as plums, so you can safely replace this important component with it. Of course, this sauce can no longer be called classic tkemali, but it has a similar taste and is very popular with many gourmets.
Recipe for tkemali with tomatoes
You can also make a wonderful sauce by adding tomatoes. For this wonderful recipe we will need:
- two kilograms of plums;
- two kilograms of ripe tomatoes;
- 300 grams of onions;
- one hot pepper;
- one bunch each of parsley and basil;
- 100 grams of celery root;
- one teaspoon of spices (cloves, cinnamon, ground black pepper, mustard powder);
- one tbsp. l. salt;
- 100 ml table 9% vinegar;
- 200 grams of granulated sugar.
This tkemali is prepared as follows:
- The first step is to wash all the tomatoes under running water. Then the stalks are cut out of them and everything is scrolled through a meat grinder. You can also use a blender.
- Next, start draining. They are also washed thoroughly. Then you need to remove the pit from each plum.
- Prepared plums are also crushed using a meat grinder or blender.
- After this, you need to rinse and remove the seeds from the pepper. This must be done with gloves.
- Then the onions are peeled and washed under running water. It should also be ground or crushed using a blender.
- Now you can mix the main ingredients. Ground plums, tomatoes and onions are placed in a suitable pan and put on fire. The mass is brought to a boil, and then granulated sugar is added.
- Parsley and basil are washed and tied into a tight bundle. Then the greens are dipped into the boiling sauce for 1 minute. This time is enough for the parsley and basil to release their aroma.
- Now you can add all the remaining spices and salt to the tkemali.
- Hot peppers must be completely immersed in the sauce. Next, it is boiled for 20 minutes.
- After this time, it is necessary to pass the entire mass through a sieve. Then the liquid is put back on the stove and cooked for another 20 minutes.
- Table vinegar is poured into the sauce 5 minutes before it is ready. Then turn off the heat and immediately pour the tkemali into sterilized jars. They are rolled up and left to cool. The sauce is ready!
The second option for preparing tomato tkemali for the winter
As mentioned above, the sauce can be prepared not only from plums, but also from cherry plums. And instead of tomatoes, we will try to add ready-made tomato paste. This will simplify the cooking process, since you will not need to wash and grind the tomatoes.
So, to prepare tkemali from cherry plum and tomato paste we will need:
- red cherry plum – one kilogram;
- high-quality tomato paste – 175 grams;
- table salt – 2 teaspoons;
- granulated sugar – 70 grams;
- fresh garlic – about 70 grams;
- coriander – about 10 grams;
- 1 hot pepper;
- water - one and a half liters.
The sauce is prepared as follows:
- The cherry plum is washed and poured into the prepared pan. It is filled with water and put on fire. The cherry plum should be brought to a boil and boiled for about 10 minutes. Then the liquid is poured into any container; we will need it later.
- The berries are left for a while to cool a little. After this, you need to remove the seeds from the cherry plum, and rub the finished plums through a sieve or using a blender.
- In a small container, you should also grind the peeled garlic with a blender with the addition of salt and coriander.
- Then mix the grated cherry plum, garlic mixture, hot pepper, granulated sugar and tomato paste in a saucepan. The consistency at this stage should resemble thin sour cream. If the mixture is a little thick, you can add the remaining broth.
- Place the pan on the fire and, stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Then the sauce is simmered over low heat for about 20 minutes. After turning off the tkemali, you can immediately pour it into jars. Containers for the preparation are washed and sterilized in advance.
During cooking, do not leave the pan for a long time, as a large amount of foam will be released. The sauce must be stirred constantly. Tomato sauce is not suitable for this recipe; it is better to use tomato paste. It is thicker and more concentrated. Instead of coriander, khmeli-suneli seasoning is also suitable.
Conclusion
Tkemali with tomatoes is an equally tasty and healthy option for preparing a popular sauce. Each tkemali recipe has its own flavor and unique taste. Try making this wonderful winter sauce at home!
