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Tkemali is a Georgian spicy sauce. Georgian cuisine is distinguished by the use of a large number of different spices and herbs. These dishes are very healthy and tasty. Only those who suffer from gastritis or peptic ulcer should not eat such products. Traditional tkemali is prepared on the basis of 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 exactly classic version of tkemali... But over time, many other cooking options have appeared that have become equally popular. In such sauces, not only the main ingredients are added, 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 wide variety of berries. For example, red currants, gooseberries and plums of different varieties are used for this. In the classic recipe, there is a swamp mint called ombalo. If not, 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 and preservatives.
Since tkemali contains only fruits and herbs, it will not bring any harm to human health. Spices that contain active substances will only improve the digestion process. Some vitamins are also preserved in the sauce, such as nicotinic and ascorbic acid, E, B1, B2. Such an 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 the hair and the upper layers of the skin, in addition, improves brain function.
Cherry plum has almost the same properties and taste as plums, so it can be safely replaced with this important component. Of course, this sauce can no longer be called a classic tkemali, but it has a similar taste and is very popular with many gourmets.
Tkemali tomato recipe
You can also make a wonderful sauce with the addition of tomatoes. For this wonderful recipe we need:
- two kilograms of plums;
- two kilograms of ripe tomatoes;
- 300 grams of onions;
- one hot pepper;
- one bunch of parsley and basil;
- 100 grams of celery root;
- one teaspoon each of spices (cloves, cinnamon, ground black pepper, mustard powder);
- one tbsp. l. salt;
- 100 ml of 9% table vinegar;
- 200 grams of granulated sugar.
Such 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 scrolled through a meat grinder. You can also use a blender.
- Next, they proceed to plums. They are also washed well. Then you need to get a bone from each plum.
- Prepared plums are also chopped using a meat grinder or blender.
- After that, you need to rinse and remove the seeds from the pepper. This should be done with gloves.
- Then the onions are peeled and washed under running water. It should also be ground or chopped with a blender.
- The main ingredients can now be mixed. Place the chopped plums, tomatoes and onions in a suitable saucepan and heat. The mass is brought to a boil, and then granulated sugar is added.
- Parsley with basil is washed and tied in a tight bunch.Then the greens are dipped in boiling sauce for 1 minute. This is enough time 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 dipped whole 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 boiled for another 20 minutes.
- Pour vinegar into the sauce 5 minutes before cooking. 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 cooking 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 as there is no need to wash and grind the tomatoes.
So, to make tkemali from cherry plum and tomato paste, we 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:
- Cherry plum is washed and poured into a prepared pan. It is poured with water and put on fire. Cherry plum should be brought to a boil and boiled for about 10 minutes. Then the liquid is poured into any container, it will still be useful to us.
- The berries are left for a while to cool slightly. After that, you need to get the seeds out of the cherry plum, and the finished plums are rubbed through a sieve or using a blender.
- In a small container, you should also grind the peeled garlic with the addition of salt and coriander with a blender.
- Then, in a saucepan, mix the grated cherry plum, garlic mixture, hot pepper, granulated sugar and tomato paste. The consistency at this stage should resemble liquid sour cream. If the mixture is a little thick, then you can add the remaining broth.
- Put the pan on fire and, constantly stirring, bring to a boil. Then the sauce is cooked over low heat for about 20 minutes. After turning off, tkemali can be immediately poured into jars. The containers for the workpiece 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. Stir the sauce constantly. Tomato sauce will not work for this recipe; it is better to use tomato paste. It is thicker and more concentrated. Instead of coriander, hop-suneli seasoning is also suitable.
Conclusion
Tkemali with tomatoes is an equally tasty and healthy option for making a popular sauce. Each tkemali recipe has its own flavor and unique taste. Try making this lovely winter sauce at home!
