About this recipe
Priya Lakshminarayan, author of “The Essential Vegan Indian Cookbook,” shares her recipe for tomato saar, a festive drink made with tomatoes and coconut milk.
Six basic ingredients are all you need to make this lip-smacking, savory Indian tomato drink. It’s vegan and gluten-free, making it perfect as a party starter or a palate-cleanser for everybody.
“You can call it a mix between a tomato soup and a tomato gazpacho,” Lakshminarayan said.
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Whip up this easy vegan Maharashtrian tomato drink in just 20 minutes. Serve this chilled for a refreshing tomato drink at your next gathering, or warm it for cozy comfort.
“We usually make this for festive occasions, special occasions, and I like to make it during the winters because it gives a warm, cozy feel,” Lakshminarayan said.
Fresh curry leaves can be found at an Indian grocery store, but if you can’t find it, you can omit it from the recipe. Use a tomato sauce without salt, sugar or seasoning for this recipe.
Ingredients
Yields: 4 servings
Traditional Tomato Saar (Indian-Style Tomato Drink)
Directions
Traditional Tomato Saar (Indian-Style Tomato Drink)
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Heat vegan ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds. Let the seeds splutter.
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Add curry leaves, minced green chillies, and half of the chopped cilantro. Sauté for about a minute until fragrant.
TIP:
Adjust the spice level to your taste. If you enjoy a stronger kick, add an extra green chili or a pinch of crushed black pepper to intensify the heat in this savory tomato drink. For a deeper, more earthy flavor, add a little ginger paste and/or jaggery along with the green chillies during tempering — it enhances the warmth and balances the tanginess of the tomatoes beautifully. -
Pour in the tomato sauce, followed by coconut milk and salt.
TIP:
Rinse out the tomato sauce Tetra Pak and coconut milk can, and add that water to the pan for zero wastage and full flavor.
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Mix well and bring to a boil over medium flame for 8–10 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
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Garnish with remaining chopped cilantro. Do not overcook; remove from heat at first boil.
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Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve warm or chilled in shot glasses for a modern twist.
Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
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