Tomato Kurma with Cherry Tomatoes

    How i realise, that having a mixed cultures in our little home is truely a blessing ( yea; myself from Kerala and hubby dear from Tamilnadu ), sometimes a little bit of everything makes things turn just  Perfect , well most of the times.  I guess that is the same way that happens in cooking also, sometimes trial just works fabulous and the same turns disasters too. My friend U was very sweet to give me a bottle of  her ' All Purpose Masala' powder ; when she knew about how much i loved her Tomato Kurma, but  Masala's don't last for ever.  I was forced to use my regular masalas to create this , tasting it for the first time itself made me fall for this. A recipe again from my friend U,  she usually makes it with normal Tomatoes, but i just re-did it by making some major changes in the recipe ingredients.
     

Tomato Kurma with Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients:
3 cups Cherry Tomatoes ( cut in half ) ( can use usual Tomatoes )
1 big Onion ( sliced )
3 Garlic pods ( chopped )
2 Green Chilies ( Slit )
1 tsp Red Chili powder
1 1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 tsp Aachi Chicken Masala
1/4 tsp Garam Masala ( refer Notes ; i didn't use this )
few Sprigs of Coriander Leaves
Salt to taste
Oil

For grinding:
3/4 cup Grated Coconut
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
1 tsp Poppy seeds
1 inch Cinnamon stick
2 Cloves
1 small petal of Star Anise

Tempering:
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
1 Cinnamon Stick
2 Cloves
1 Star Anise

Method:
 Heat oil in a Kadai and pop fennel, cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise.
Add in Green chili, Garlic , Onion and saute until translucent.
Add in the Cherry Tomatoes , and saute until soft and mushy, add in the powders and saute for 2 mins.
Pour in the grinded coconut and spices paste,check for salt, let it simmer. ( add water if needed )
Add in corriander leaves and serve.

Serving Ideas With : Idly, Idiyappam , Dosa ,Palada , Appam.

Notes:  I have mentioned Aachi Chicken Masala in the Recipe, you can add any masala brand of your choice.
If adding a Chicken masala avoid Garam Masala or the either way, totally depends upon your taste.