Tomato saar is an authentic Maharashtrian version of the famous Tomato Soup.
This tomato saar is mildly spiced, sweet & tangy in taste. This saar is made using fresh ripe tomatoes along with herbs and spices.
This is a healthy,ย no onion no garlic (satvik),ย beginner-friendly,ย gluten-freeย andย vegan recipe.
About Tomato Saar (Tomato Shorba)
Tomato Saar is a tangy, spicy and mildly sweet Maharashtrian soup made from fresh ripe tomatoes.
This saar is also called as Shorba and is tempered with spices like cumin, curry leaves, hing and red chilli powder.
This is a simple, quick and easy soup that is famously paired with plain steamed rice, vegetable pulao andย Maharashtrian Masale bhat.
This saar comes from the coastal region of Maharashtra and is also made in Goa and Karnataka.
Unlike tomato soup, a tempering of cumin seeds, curry leaves are added to saar.
If you love tomatoes then this is the recipe that you must try! In my childhood, Sunday was specially reserved for this luscious and delicious tomato saar as a change from the usual meals.
Served with steamed rice along with popadums this was our favourite vegetarian Sunday special lunch.
This tomato saar is deeply comforting, light on the stomach and does not involve cream, milk or cornstarch. This also makes a perfect soup for kids and Weight Watchers although we will be using sugar that can be adjusted as per personal preference.
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and are natural antioxidants. In Indian cuisine, tomatoes are used as a base for many recipes hence at home we always have tomatoes stocked in our pantry throughout the year.
Hence it becomes so much easier to make this delicious saar for a quick snack or for lazy weekdays!
A bowl of hotย tomato saarย makes a perfect meal or snack during winters or cold rainy days. Apart from grown-ups, thisย saarย is loved byย kidsย too.
To make this super simple, spicy, tangy & sweet tomato saar, try to use red ripe tomatoes instead of orange they tend to have the right balance of tanginess and sweetness that helps in balancing the flavours of the saar.
You may also useย canned tomatoesย here, but the taste would differ.
ingredients
Tomatoesย โ We will need fresh red ripe tomatoes. We need to blanch them in water for about 10 minutes and then puree them in a blender and sieve (strained). You can use canned tomatoes here but the taste would differ a lot.
Herbs & Spices โย To give a nice depth of flavour we will temper this saar with cumin seeds, curry leaves, and red chilli powder. You may also add cumin powder or crushed black pepper powder.
Oil โ Traditionally ghee is used to temper this tomato saar but I prefer using oil for tempering. You can make the tempering using ghee which enhances the flavour.
Seasoning โ Salt & Sugar. The quantity of sugar depends upon the sourness of the tomatoes. You may also add brown sugar or jaggery to make this tomato saar.
Water:ย To adjust the consistency of the saar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tomato Saar and Tomato Shorba the same?
Yes, they are similar. Both are tomato-based soup recipes. The term Saar is commonly used in Maharashtrian cuisine while Shorba is broadly used across the nation.
Can Tomato Saar (Shorba) be made in advance?
Yes, you can make the saar ahead of time. Prepare the saar and let it cool down. Refrigerate it. Reheat before serving. You may aswell add the tempering later while serving.
How can I enhance the flavour of this Tomato Shorba (saar)?
You may add ingredients like roughly crushed garlic or grated ginger which enhances the flavour. You may also add cream or coconut milk to give a burst of flavour and texture to this shorba (saar).
Can I use canned tomatoes for making this Tomato Saar (Shorba)?
Though the authentic recipe calls for fresh, ripe tomatoes, you can use canned tomatoes if fresh ones are not available. Make sure to adjust the seasoning.
Is Tomato Saar (shorba) Vegan?
Yes, the saar mentioned in this recipe is vegan as we have not used ghee in the tempering or cream to thicken it.
What should be the right consistency of Tomato Saar (Shorba)?
Unlike Tomato Soup, the consistency of tomato saar is always on thinner side. However,you can adjust the consistency as per your personal preference.
Variations
You can add coconut milk to this saar which gives a nice texture and subtle taste to this saar.
You can also temper the saar with crushed garlic, and dry red chillies which enhance the taste.
Serving Suggestions
This tomato saar can be served as a starter with meals or as an evening snack.
Also, you can mix it with rice and have it as a full meal.
Storage Options
This saar stays good for about 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving.
Related Recipes
No Onion No Garlic (Satvik) Recipes
How to make Tomato Saar (Vegan Tomato Soup)
Note:
For a rich creamy texture, you can make use of coconut milk.
Make a crisscross slit on the bottom side of the tomatoes so it becomes very much easy to peel off the skin once they are cooked.
Instead of tempering this saar with oil, you can use ghee or vanaspati here.
You may also use spices like cumin powder or black pepper powder for extra taste.
Always use red ripe tomatoes for making this saar.
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Recipe Card
Tomato Saar | Tomato Shorba
Ingredientsย ย
- 7-8 Medium Sized Ripe Red Tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 3 tablespoons Sugar (also depends on tartness of tomatoes)
- Salt to taste
- Water, to adjust the consistency
For Tadka (Tempering)
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- 4-5 Curry Leaves
Instructionsย
- Rinse tomatoes under tap water. Place them in a deep vessel.
- Add water till the tomatoes are fully submerged.
- Blanch tomatoes for about 20-30 minutes till they are soft and cooked.
- Let the tomatoes cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, peel off the skin and add tomatoes in a blender. Without using water blend to a fine paste.
- Pour this tomato puree onto a sieve/strainer. Strain the puree to get a nice silky texture to the saar.
- Fine tomato paste is ready to make this delicious tomato saar.
- Add a teaspoon of red chilli powder, salt to taste and sugar to balance the tartness of tomatoes.
- Adjust the quantity of sugar as per the tartness of the tomatoes.
- Add water to adjust the consistency of the saar.
- Let's make tadka.
- In a tadka pan, heat oil. Once hot, add cumin seeds and let them turn golden brown in colour. Add curry leaves.
- Pour this tadka over the tomato mixture.
- Let the saar come to a boil.
- Boil this tomato saar for 6-8 minutes on low to medium flame.
- Tangy, sweet & mild spicy tomato saar is ready to serve.
