Amla/Indian Gooseberry Thokku is a South Indian condiment made with Indian Gooseberries. It’s used as a side or as a flavor enhancer to the main course.
I have never cooked with amla/Indian Gooseberry before and I was pretty much excited to be trying out this dish because of its hero ingredient. While I have eaten different kinds of thokku, this one made with amla was something very new for me. I heard about this dish from my SIL’s mom. She being an excellent cook herself, always comes up with interesting recipes and I enjoy my food conversations with her.
I quickly jotted down her recipe and decided to make it that very day. Picked up some fresh Indian Gooseberry from the market on my way home and got going with the recipe. First we need to chop the Indian gooseberry, de-seed it and steam it for 5-7 minutes. Heat oil in a pan and roast urad dal and tomatoes till they turn pulpy. In a mixer grinder, add the steamed gooseberries, jaggery, roasted tomatoes, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, asafoetida and salt.
Blitz to a smooth paste. Serve it with steamed rice, dosa, idli or even with bread or chapati. It is similar to a chutney but the taste is awesome. Its tangy, sweet, spicy and sour all at the same time. I could easily get addicted to this thokku!
My mom used to make different kinds of thokku and we used to enjoy it with curd rice. We called it ‘Thokku Sadam’. It was usually our Sunday dinner when all the vegetables of the week would be exhausted.
- 10-12 Indian gooseberry
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 tbsp urad dal
- 1 large tomato
- 1/3 cup jaggery
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- Pinch of asafoetida
- Salt as required
- First we need to chop the Indian gooseberry, de-seed it and steam it for 5-7 minutes. Heat oil in a pan and roast urad dal and tomatoes till they turn pulpy. In a mixer grinder, add the steamed gooseberries, jaggery, roasted tomatoes, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, asafoetida and salt.
- Blitz to a smooth paste. Serve it with steamed rice, dosa, idli or even with bread or chapati.
Having a party and looking for some interesting ideas for condiments? Then you must check out these recipes – Beets & Peanuts Raita, Spinach Raita, Besan Chutney/Bombay Chutney Recipe, Carrots and Peanuts Chutney, Boondi Raita and Radish Chutney/Mulangi Thogayal/South Indian Chutney.
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