Anyone link me to a curry recipe that doesnt use tomatoes. I used to use the Lloyd Grossman jars but even the korma has tomato in it. Thank you!
I blend onions with chilli, garlic, whatever spices (cumin, coriander etc) and fry the paste with the chicken till sealed/coloured, then add a tin of coconut milk and the same volume again of chicken stock. It reduces and thickens as it simmers – add a bit of garam masala at the end perhaps.
Sounds yum thank you. Dont think DP would like coconut milk so I guess he will be having a packet of crisps 🙂 Do you just estimate the amount of spices to put in? Sorry have never made one from scratch.
Ivy- would leaving the toms out be ok in most recipes or is that one ok because the coconut milk is in there instead?
I would leave the tomato out as it is not a whole tin but two chopped tomato. I make a dish (not really a curry) but place 4-6 chicken thighs in a casserole with a lid and pour over a tin of coconut milk and add a teaspoon of tumeric, curry powder corinander, cumin and then cook slowly for 3 hours on gas 2-3. I make dalh as it is a good meal and also very cheap, I mostly make with tinned tomato but have made with coconut milk instead, it gives a creamy finish like a korma has a creamy finish. can I ask why not cooked tomato?
DD has an allergy/intolerance to them. Ive posted before and been given lots of ideas and cutting them out has been going well considering they were in most of the things I cooked!! Curry is something we havent eaten for a while as toms are in most of the pre prepared ones and the recipies Ive found. That coconutty chicken dish sounds lovely! And thanks for that link bunbaker, the first recipe I clicked on had no tomatoes and an explanation why!
lemon spiced chicken – you can use breast or thighs depending on which you prefer. Marinate chicken for at least 30 mins (preferrably longer) in 3 tbsps olive oil juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp gound cumin 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp chilli flakes 1tsp dried oregano 1tsp dried thyme (or small bunch fresh) 1 tsp black pepper Then place in oven dish with the marinade, add spinach (frozen or tinned works as well as fresh) and chicken stock to cover up half way. Cook at 180 for 35-55 minutes (depending on which chicken you used). Not quite a curry but still good – add a tsp of chilli powder for heat if you like.
I know this is a zombie thread but I thought as it is a recipe thread it would be fine to resurrect it. Sorry in advance if everyone is annoyed though! I hate tomatoes! If a Dahl or curry calls for a tin of tomatoes what can I use instead as obviously thats a lot of moisture to lose if you dont use it. If anyone has any good recipes especially non meat and no tomato curry or Dahl please come and tell me! 
I love Chetna Makans coconut chicken curry. I just googled it and the recipe is online but I’m not sure how to post a link. Just with I could get some chicken thighs because I have all the other ingredients in
For non meat try the rasta dal on Jasmine Hemsley’s site, would be fine without the tomato.
For dahl, tomato is optional really. Jamie Oliver has a “basic tarka dhal recipe” – easy to google – that has no tomatoes.
Thanks for the replies. I like a tarka Dahl but I like it a bit thick. mmmm If a recipe calls for a tin of tomatoes though Is there and alternative? I know the taste would change because the tomatoes arent being used but my concern is more about the loss of the liquid by not using it.
Speaking only about Indian recipes….skipping the tomato will affect the flavour and look. Plus the tomato imparts a thickness to the gravy, bringing the dish together. Amount of liquid from tomato not so important as for most curries/ dahls you cook out the tomatoes till most of the moisture is evaporated. In Dahl, tomato is usually part of the tempering, you can just put onion garlic in the tempering and skip the tomato. Still really really nice 
Curries will be trickier. Depending on the recipe, substitutes could be yogurt or spices (mango powder/ pomegranate powder). Do you have a particular recipe in mind?
There’s a Nigel Slater chicken curry recipe in the 30 minute cook, which has no tomato in – the sauce is a mixture of yogurt and double cream (and chicken stock). It’s a bit like korma or butter chicken. I found a link here: www.hokeystokey.com/creamy-chicken-curry-2/
Amchoor (green mango powder) or lime or lemon juice can replace tartness from tomato. For liquid I would just use water. Dhal is nice and thick if you use half yellow split peas (soak overnight) and half red lentils
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Curd is most often used instead of tomatoes in certain indian gravies or curries to give it that sour taste that it requires. I sometimes prefer tamarind over the tomato because of the taste.
Red bell peppers are an excellent choice in lieu of tomatoes. They may be used fresh in sandwiches and salads, and they have a similar colour and texture when cooked. To achieve a broader range of tastes, use a red pepper paste, or put your own sugar, lemons, and salt into pureed roasted peppers to make a decent alternative for tomatoes
Tomatoes are used extensively in Indian food, appearing in everything from salads and curries to soups and smoothies. But the rising prices are wreaking havoc on the budgets of many households in Delhi and its nearby region. So, is it time to abandon tomatoes entirely? No, not at all. In terms of taste and colour, there are various items that can stand in for tomatoes.
Tomatoes, in addition to giving body, give a wonderful acidity to a number of dishes, particularly in Indian cuisine. Tamarind is one of the items that most closely resembles the fresh sweet-tangy flavour of tomatoes. Simply substitute tamarind pulp or paste for tomatoes in dishes such as dals, curries, and stir-fries.
Curd/Yogurt is also useful for making Indian-style curries with a tomato base. It gives the curry thickness and the appropriate amount of tanginess, so you won’t miss tomatoes too much. Simply stir the yogurt thoroughly and add it at the end of the cooking process to limit the possibility of it breaking.
Several studies on cancer have urged people to eat plant-based foods for their phytonutrients and other special compounds (: Shutterstock)
Ivy- would leaving the toms out be ok in most recipes or is that one ok because the coconut milk is in there instead?
Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here)
For dahl, tomato is optional really. Jamie Oliver has a “basic tarka dhal recipe” – easy to google – that has no tomatoes.
I would leave the tomato out as it is not a whole tin but two chopped tomato. I make a dish (not really a curry) but place 4-6 chicken thighs in a casserole with a lid and pour over a tin of coconut milk and add a teaspoon of tumeric, curry powder corinander, cumin and then cook slowly for 3 hours on gas 2-3. I make dalh as it is a good meal and also very cheap, I mostly make with tinned tomato but have made with coconut milk instead, it gives a creamy finish like a korma has a creamy finish. can I ask why not cooked tomato?
DD has an allergy/intolerance to them. Ive posted before and been given lots of ideas and cutting them out has been going well considering they were in most of the things I cooked!! Curry is something we havent eaten for a while as toms are in most of the pre prepared ones and the recipies Ive found. That coconutty chicken dish sounds lovely! And thanks for that link bunbaker, the first recipe I clicked on had no tomatoes and an explanation why!
What Is The Best Alternatives For Tomato?
FAQ
What can be used as a substitute for tomatoes?
Do you need tomatoes in curry?
What curry does not contain tomatoes?
What can I substitute for tomato sauce in a curry?
Try increasing the spices and vegetables in the curry that are common to other tomato sauces as well! Red chili is a safe bet if you’re already using lemons to add acidity. You want to find things that fill in the blanks of missing ingredients, on a case-by-case basis, when you dedicate yourself to substitution.
What is the best substitute for yogurt?
If you are looking to substitute yogurt in a recipe, there are a lot of options. The best option might be buttermilk if you are using it in baking since it has the most similar taste profile. Sour cream is another great option because it is similar in taste and also in consistency. You could also use mayo, cottage cheese, or heavy cream. If you are substituting yogurt just to eat, you might want to try a plant-based yogurt.
Can you replace Tomatoes in a curry?
will not replace tomatoes by themselves, but they still help balance out the flavor profile of a dish that is thrown off without tomatoes. You can try increasing spices and vegetables that are commonly used in tomato sauces as well. Red chili is a safe bet if you’re already using lemons to add acidity. This is a common food in curry.
Can you use yogurt as a tomato substitute in Curry?
Yogurt works well as a tomato substitute in curry because it gives body to the dish and adds the right amount of tartness, just like tomatoes would. It doesn’t really work as a substitute in those recipes where tomatoes are the main ingredient, or when the added flavor of the lactic component isn’t appreciated. 8. Spices