Sev tameta nu shaak

Method

1. 1 Sauté mustard seeds in oil until they pop, then add onions and stir-fry for 6 minutes.
2. 2 Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric, chili powder, and palm sugar, then cook for 12 minutes until thickened.
3. 3 Palm sugar is the Gujarati signature of this dish, offering a mild sweetness balanced with the tartness of the tomatoes.
4. 4 Sprinkle with garam masala, then turn off the heat and spoon the sauce into a deep dish.
5. 5 Sprinkle the shredded sesame seeds on top just before serving; if you sprinkle them too early, the sesame seeds will absorb the sauce and become mushy.
6. 6 Sprinkle with cilantro and eat immediately with roti bread while it's still crispy.

With an appliance

• Microwave 26 min

  Replace step 2: add tomatoes, turmeric, chili peppers, and palm sugar to a wide bowl, microwave at 900W for 8 minutes, stirring once midway; reduce to about 4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken evenly without splattering or needing to stir. Step 5 still only sprinkles the sauce right before serving to keep the noodles crispy.