Hello everyone. Its been so quiet here for sometime. We just moved to Hong Kong a couple of weeks back and that’s what has kept me away from Kannamma Cooks. We are still settling down and things should become normal in a couple of weeks time. Its been super cold here and foggy most of the time. I have been cooking minimally. Our son starts school next month. So its been boring for him with all the shopping and tenancy agreements that he is forced to do with me. But he likes it so far or so he says. Except for the long days pushing shopping trolleys with me. I made idli batter successfully in this chilly weather here. It was so good to have idlis at home after almost three weeks. I will share the technique for fermenting idli batter in cold weather in the coming weeks. Hope life comes to regulars soon. Here is a simple recipe. Its a recipe for Easy Tomato Salna that goes well with idli or dosa.
The thing about this salna is that its cooked in a pressure cooker for 4-5 whistles. The longer the better. Its uncommon to cook salna for 4-5 whistles but that does the trick as everything gets cooked so well. Its perfect for dunking idlis in. Here is how to do it.
Video of Tomato Salna
Heat Indian sesame oil or vegetable oil in a pan until hot. Add in the fennel seeds and let it crackle. Add in the chopped red onion and fry till the onions are soft. About 2-3 minutes on medium flame. Run three – four big tomatoes in a mixie/blender with half a cup of water until coarsely pureed. Add it to the pan.
Run fresh shredded coconut in a blender with a cup of water until it becomes a fine paste. Add it to the pan. Add in the salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Mix well to combine. The salna at this stage should be watery. Add little more water if you feel that the salna is thick. Add in a teaspoon of sugar. The little sugar cuts the tartness from the tomatoes and makes it more flavorful. Update Note: Over the years, I have found that adding the turmeric and red chilli powder just after sautéing the onions, roasting the powders for a few seconds, then adding the tomatoes gives a bright color to the salna.
Cover the pressure pan with a lid and cook for 4-5 whistles on medium flame. Switch off the heat after the said whistles and wait for the pressure from the cooker to release naturally.
Open the pan and check for seasoning. Add coriander leaves for garnish and serve hot with idlis.
- 2 teaspoon Indian sesame oil or vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 2 sprigs coriander leaves, chopped
- 1.5 cups water (divided)
- Heat oil in a pan until hot. Add in the fennel seeds and let it splutter. Add in the chopped red onion and fry till the onions are soft.
- Run three tomatoes in a mixie/blender with half a cup of water until coarsely pureed. Add it to the pan.
- Run fresh shredded coconut in a blender with a cup of water until it becomes a fine paste. Add it to the pan.
- Add in the salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Mix well to combine. The salna at this stage should be watery. Add little more water if you feel that the salna is thick. Add in a teaspoon of sugar.
- Cover the pressure pan with a lid and cook for 4-5 whistles on medium flame. Switch off the heat after the said whistles and wait for the pressure from the cooker to release naturally.
- Open the pan and check for seasoning. Add coriander leaves for garnish and serve hot with idlis.
- Author: Kannamma - Suguna Vinodh
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Tamilnadu
- 2 teaspoon Indian sesame oil or vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 2 sprigs coriander leaves, chopped
- 1.5 cups water (divided)
- Heat oil in a pan until hot. Add in the fennel seeds and let it splutter. Add in the chopped red onion and fry till the onions are soft.
- Run three tomatoes in a mixie/blender with half a cup of water until coarsely pureed. Add it to the pan.
- Run fresh shredded coconut in a blender with a cup of water until it becomes a fine paste. Add it to the pan.
- Add in the salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder. Mix well to combine. The salna at this stage should be watery. Add little more water if you feel that the salna is thick. Add in a teaspoon of sugar.
- Cover the pressure pan with a lid and cook for 4-5 whistles on medium flame. Switch off the heat after the said whistles and wait for the pressure from the cooker to release naturally.
- Open the pan and check for seasoning. Add coriander leaves for garnish and serve hot with idlis.
- Author: Kannamma - Suguna Vinodh
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Tamilnadu
Find it online : https://www.kannammacooks.com/tomato-salna-recipe/
Where to buy kitchen supplies, kitchen utensils, baking supplies, small appliances for kitchen in Hong Kong? Basically all things Kitchen! The ANSWER is Shanghai Street in Kowloon area. If you are looking for all things kitchen at reasonable prices, head straight to Shanghai Street. You need to take the MTR to Yau Ma Tei station in Kowloon. Its a couple of stops after Tsim Sha Tsui (TST). Once you land in Yau Ma Tei, then take exit B that goes to Portland Street.
You will exit the MTR to hit Portland Street. Cross Portland street across and keep walking to come to Shanghai Street. Shanghai street is parallel to Portland street. The shops should start right away after walking for about 3-4 minutes. If it doesn’t, you are going in the opposite direction.
You will find bargain priced quality kitchen supplies at this place. Shanghai Street has overflowing kitchen shops that serves the requirements of both restaurants and home cooks. You will find store after store filled with pots and pans, cleavers, regular knives, chopping boards, baking supplies, small appliances like blenders, rice cookers, and a super wide range of ceramic-ware. You will find industrial range of kitchen supplies too. If you love cooking, then its a delight to visit Shanghai Street. You will find repetitive items in some shops but that’s ok. Check for the prices in shops and pick the one that gives at the cheapest price. Wall mounted stainless steel racks to toothpicks, you will be delighted with so much choice on offer.
In India, we are so used to using stainless steel bowls for mixing, cooking etc… You will find them all here. I was surprised to find stainless steel plates and cups too! They even have pressure cookers.
Kitchen aid stand mixer costs a bomb at Hong Kong upmarket stores. You will find it at a comparatively lesser price here at Shanghai Street shops. Same goes with branded heavy duty blenders, juicers etc…
Pro Kitchen This store is well stocked with all kind of western kitchenware, small appliances and gadgets. They had all sorts of small appliances popular in western countries like kitchen-aid stand mixers, juicers, coffee makers, blenders, bread makers, handheld mixers etc.. The nearby stores even had sous-vide cooking equipment’s and heavy duty blenders of all sizes.
Man Kee Chopping Board They have been in business for more than 50 years. I was in awe to see the chopping boards that were carved out of a single piece of wood. Those giant wooden chopping boards that look like ottomans are a delight to watch. Do not miss this store.
They also sell all sizes of regular chopping boards, Japanese sushi making tools made of wood, cute little wooden spoons and all kinds of kitchen utensils.
You will also be able to find some traditional moon cake molds here.
Chan Chi Kee knife shop I first knew about Shanghai street after watching an Anthony Bourdain layover episode. He visits Chan Chi Kee knife shop on the show. The giant cleavers and the whole shop filled with knives that they show on the episode will make you want to visit Shanghai Street. You can watch the show here. (They show Shanghai street around the 18th minute onwards) Cleavers, cleavers and cleavers wherever you turn. Wooden handles, metal handles, so sharp and so many varieties.
I have found that even the cheap $50 HKD knives to be incredibly sharp. I bought one to test how long it stays sharp. I have had it for more than three weeks now and it is still very sharp just like day one even after 3 weeks of extensive chopping. They are worth it. Look for knives that are made in Japan.
Shanghai street is also a baking supplies galore. If you love baking, then you are a kid in a candy store. Tools, cutters, silicone moulds, cookie sheets, cake pans, baking ingredients…. You will find them all here.
I Love Cake If you love baking, then you will get all the things you need here. From baking pans, cookie sheets, bundt pans, moulds, cookie cutters to cup cake wrappers, ramekins, food gel colours, nozzles, tart pans, metal icing tips, parchment etc… you will even find baking ingredients here.
You will pick up way more than you need if you like baking!!!!
It was an over populated whisk world across the shops in Shanghai street!
And spatulas!
Crockery Lots of shops on the lane are well stocked with ceramic-ware. From plates to cups, teapots to sleek serveware. They have it all. The japanese ceramic-wares, teapots and saucers, soup bowls in shanghai street stores are all so elegant and cute.
I also came across super heavy mortar and pestles carved out of granite which looked too good to pass. Then the Le Creuset style enameled cast iron pots were there too!
The iron pans, woks, whisks, spatulas you will get everything here. Its a kitchen supply stores heaven.
Even cast iron pans (mocked design like the American LODGE), Iron pancake pans, clay pots etc…
Then, then, then I came across this knife store. I spent close to about couple of hours in the knife section. The Japanase hand crafted knives were so good. The price range starts from $1000 HKD upwards. The layers of steel was so so visible that one realises how much labour, man hours and craftsmanship would have gone into making these knives. Labor of knife love.
Plus, they have good stock of all popular knives. They had a full range of my favorite Wusthof knives. I have been eyeing on buying a nakiri vegetable knife for a long time and they had it.
And came the dim sum steamers!!!!!!!!! You would find bamboo steamers for very reasonable prices. Single bamboo dim sum steamers were so cute.
And these! Sizzlers seems to be so popular here!
The streets seemed endless. Be prepared to carry a lot of stuff. Come with big shopping bags.
Have fun and shop to your hearts desire in this wonderful kitchen heaven!
