Uzbek Tomato-Garlic Sauce

Name: Uzbek Tomato-Garlic Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Uzbek
Ingredients: Ripe tomatoes, chopped — 500 g (1.1 lb); Onion, thinly sliced — 1 large; Garlic cloves, minced — 4; Vegetable oil — 30 ml (2 tbsp); Ground cumin and coriander — 3 g each (1 tsp each); Salt and black pepper — to taste; Fresh dill or coriander, chopped — 10 g (2 tbsp)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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10 min

Prep

20 min

Cook

Ingredients

Ripe tomatoes, chopped — 500 g (1.1 lb)
Onion, thinly sliced — 1 large
Garlic cloves, minced — 4
Vegetable oil — 30 ml (2 tbsp)
Ground cumin and coriander — 3 g each (1 tsp each)
Salt and black pepper — to taste
Fresh dill or coriander, chopped — 10 g (2 tbsp)

Method

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté onion until softened, about 7-8 minutes.
Add garlic, cumin and coriander; cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add chopped tomatoes; simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and well combined.
Season with salt and black pepper.
Stir in fresh herbs just before serving.

Cultural Background: A simple, fresh tomato and onion sauce related to Uzbekistan's achichuk salad, this version cooked with garlic and warm spices is used to top plov (Uzbekistan's iconic rice pilaf) and grilled meats, reflecting the country's Silk Road culinary crossroads.

Tips: • Simmering until the tomatoes fully break down gives the best cohesive sauce texture. • This sauce pairs particularly well spooned over freshly made plov.

Variations: • Add a fresh chile for a spicier version. • Serve raw and uncooked (as in classic achichuk salad) as a fresher alternative.

Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days in an airtight container.

Reheating: Reheat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 40 kcal, 1 g protein, 3 g fat, 4 g carbohydrate per 60 g serving. FAQs What is this sauce traditionally served with? Plov (Uzbek rice pilaf) and grilled meats (shashlik), as a fresh, tangy counterpoint to rich rice and meat dishes. Can I serve it uncooked? Yes, the raw version (achichuk) is a simple sliced tomato and onion salad, also a popular way to serve these ingredients.

FAQs: What is this sauce traditionally served with? Plov (Uzbek rice pilaf) and grilled meats (shashlik), as a fresh, tangy counterpoint to rich rice and meat dishes. Can I serve it uncooked? Yes, the raw version (achichuk) is a simple sliced tomato and onion salad, also a popular way to serve these ingredients.