Chutneys are important not only for snacks but they are an integral part of the main course too. Chutney is essentially an Indian condiment. Chutneys are made both from vegetable and fruit. They are generally spicy they can also be made sweet. In their absence an Indian meal remains incomplete. I give you here, some good, tasty chutney recipes.
Avocado Chutney
Avocado, a tropical fruit, is a complete food with many essential nutrients like proteins, vitamin E, C, B, folic acid, iron, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. It has no cholesterol and is sodium free. Avocado shake with milk and sugar is a famous drink. Being highly nutrient, it can be used to make salads, shakes, sandwitches etc. Since the fruit has a neutral taste, it easily blends with the things that are added to it. This chutney can be had as a dip for chips or used to make sandwitches.
*1 large avocado, peeled and pitted (or 2 small) Method
*1 small tomato, chopped
*2 tablespoons lemon juice or lime juice
*1/4 cup shredded fresh or desiccated coconut (unsweetened)
*2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
*2 garlic cloves, unpeeled
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
*1 serrano pepper or Thai chile, finely chopped or 2 jalapenos, finely chopped
*2 tablespoons shredded or desiccated coconut
Method
1. Dry roast the 2tbsp of coconut in a dry skillet on medium heat. Stir constantly until uniformly golden brown.
2. In a bowl, mash avocado. Add 1/4 cup of coconut, tomato and lime juice. Mix well.
3. In a skillet, dry roast garlic cloves with skin over medium heat until skins start to brown. Remove skin and place in a blender. Add shallots to the blender along with salt and process to a paste.
4. Add the garlic paste to the avocado mixture. Also, add cilantro and chilies. Stir well to mix. 5. Garnish with roasted coconut and serve with dosas or puris, Chapatis.
[Serves: Makes 3 cups-Cups Size:143gms.
Recipe Type: Veg.
Calories: 188 ]
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Brinjal Kotsu Recipe
Brinjal Kotsu is the best accompaniment for the Ven Pongal recipe.
Ingredients
* 5 Big brinjals
* 8 Green chillies, finely chopped
* 1 Big onion, finely chopped
*1 Sprig curry leaves, chopped
* 1 tbsp Coconut scraping
* Tamarind, gooseberry size
* A pinch of turmeric powder
* A pinch of asafoetida
* 1 tsp Urad dal
* 1 tsp Mustard
* 1 tsp Salt
*1 tbsp Oil
Method
1. Cut brinjals into big pieces and cook till soft.
2. Grind together coconut, tamarind and cooked brinjal to form smooth paste.
3. Heat oil in a kadai and add mustard.
4. When it pops up, add asafoetida and urad dal and fry until golden brown.
5. Add green chillies, curry leaves and onion. Fry it for five minutes.
6. Now mix the brinjal paste, salt, turmeric powder and little water.
7. Reduce the heat and keep it on fire for two to three minutes.
8. Kotsu is ready to serve.
[Serves: 4 to 5 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg.
Calorie: Brinjal -100gms = approx.103 ]
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Sweet and Sour Chutney[Tamarind Chutney]
This exotic sweet and sour chutney is a delicious condiment. This chutney can be called the ketchup of the east!
Ingredients
*1/2 lb tamarind, seeded
*2 1/2 cups sugar
*2 cups boiling water
*1 1/2 tablespoons roasted ground cumin seeds
*1 tablespoon salt
*1 teaspoon black salt
*1 teaspoon red chili powder
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
Method
1.Break the tamarind into small pieces and soak in hot boiling water for one hour.
2.Mash it into a pulp and strain pressing the tamarind into the strainer so that all the pulp comes out.
3.Add sugar to the pulp mix well.
4.Add the remaining ingredients. Mix again well and taste. Add more sugar, salt or pepper as needed.
5.Chutney can be refrigerated for two to three months.
Serving suggestion
1.Tamarind chutney is delicious with samosas, pakoras, drizzled over dahi vadas, bhel poori, or any kind of chat.
2.This is also delicious as a dipping sauce for French fries, as a spread over crackers.
Variations
1.To use as a dip, thicker chutney is ideal. To use as a topping, add water to make the chutney thinner.
2.Add water and ice cubes to serve as a cool spicy drink.
3.Add equal parts yogurt and chutney to make a dipping sauce.
4.Try drizzling over rice to add a unique flavor to plain rice.
[Serves: For 1 Sitting
Recipe Type: Veg. ]
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Channa dal chutney
Ingredients
* Channa dal – ½ cup
* Fresh coconut pieces – ¼ cup
* Green chillies – 3 or to taste
* Ginger – ½ inch
* Salt – to taste
* Oil – 1 tsp
For seasoning:
* Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp
* Urad dal – ¼ tsp
* Curry leaves – 4
* Oil – 1 tsp
Method
1. Take a pan and heat with 1 tsp of oil.
2. Add the channa dal, green chillies and ginger.
3. Fry till they turn into golden yellow colour.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Allow it to cool.
6. Add the fried ingredients, coconut pieces and salt in a mixer grinder.
7. Grind to a fine paste.
8. Transfer into serving bowl.
9. In the same pan add 1 tsp of oil and heat.
10.Add mustard seeds and urad dal.
11.When they start to crackle add curry leaves.
12.Add this to the chutney and mix well and adjust salt.
13.Serve with idly, dosa, upma, Ven-Pongal etc.
[ Serves: 4 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg.
Preparation Time: 10 min. ]
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Coriander chutney Recipe
Coriander chutney is an essential condiment with many of the snacks.
Ingredients
* 1 bunch of Coriander leaves
* 15 Green chilies
* 1 Tomato
* 1 small piece Tamarind
* 2 tbsp Oil
* Salt
* Seasoning:
* Curry leaves
* 1 tsp of Chana dal
* 1 tsp Urad dal
* 1 tsp Mustard seeds
* 1/2 tsp of Jeera,
* A pinch of Hing
* Red chilly [cut into pieces]
Method
1. In a pan, heat oil and fry green chilies and take it out.
2. Add coriander leaves and tomato in the pan and fry until they turn soft.
3. Now grind coriander leaves and tomato with tamarind and salt.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry all the seasoning ingredients.
5. As the mustard seeds starts to splutter, add this to the grinded coriander.
6. Coriander chutney is ready.
[ Serves 4 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg.
Cooking Time: 10 min.]
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Peanut Chutney Recipe
Ingredients:
*1 cup roasted and peeled peanuts
*1 small onion sliced
*3 dry red chillis, de-seeded
*small lemon sized tamarind (soaked in warm water for 10 min.
*3 garlic flakes, crushed
*salt to taste
*3/4 cup water
*1 tsp oil
For Seasoning
1/2 mustard seeds
1/2 split black gram dal
8-10 curry leaves
1/2 tsp oil
Method
1 Heat oil in a vessel, add the garlic and dry red chillis and stir fry for a few seconds.
2. Add the sliced onions and saute further for 2-3 mts on medium heat. Turn of heat and cool.
3. Grind the roasted peanuts, tamarind, sauteed onions and garlic along with salt and half a cup of water.
4. Heat oil in a pan for seasoning. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and once they splutter, add the split gram dal and let it turn golden brown.
5. Add the curry leaves and turn off heat.
6. Pour over chutney and serve with idlis or dosas.
[ Serves:3 to 4 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg.
Preparation Time: 15 min. ]
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Coconut Chutney Recipe
Coconut Chutney is a breakfast companion in South India, used as an accompaniment to almost all the breakfast items.
Ingredients* 1/2 Coconut
* Lemon sized tamarind
* 10 Red chillies
* Salt to taste
* 1 tsp urad dal
* 1 tsp mustard seeds
* 2 tsp Oil
* 1 tsp Chana Dal
* Few red chilli pieces and curry leaves
* A pinch of hing
* 1/2 tsp Jeera
Method
1. Shred the coconut into small pieces.
2. Fry the red chillies in a small pan.
3. Grind red chillies, coconut, tamarind and salt. Add minimum water.
4. Heat oil in a small pan. Add urad dal, chenna dal, mustard seeds, jeera, red chillies, hing and curry leaves.
5. Add the seasoning to the coconut chutney after mustard seeds start spluttering.
6. Coconut Chutney is ready.
[ Serves: 3 to 4 Persons
Recipe Tyoe: Veg.
Cooking Time: 5 to 10 min.
Calories: 1 tbsp Cocconut Chuteny = 90 ]
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Onion Chutney Recipe
Onion Chutney is a tangy South Indian recipe, very relishing indeed.
Ingredients
* 4 Onions
* 3 tsp Urad dal
* 3 tsp Channa dal
* Dry red pepper
* 2 tsp Tamarind paste
* Oil for frying
Method
1. Cut the onions
2. Heat the oil.
3. Fry dal and red pepper till roasted.
4. Fry onion pieces till they are wilted.
5. Grind dal, onions, tamarind paste and salt to make a paste.
6. Serve it with Roti, Chapati, Upma, Puris etc..
[ Serves: 4 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg.
Calories: Raw Onion -100gms = 50 ]
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Zucchini Chutney [Seemai Surakai Thuvayal]
This Chutney/Thuvayal is a fine, tasty accompaniment for Idlis, Dosa, Pongal varieties.
Ingredients
*Zucchini - 1 [peeled and cut into small cubes]
*Green Chillies - 3 [chopped]
*Tamarind pulp - 1/2 tsp
*Urad dal - 2 tblsp
*Coconut [grated] - 2 tblsp [optional]
*Garlic - 1 clove
*Asaefoetida - a pinch
*Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
*Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
*Cilantro - handful
*Curry leaves - 4
*Red chilly - 1
*Salt - to taste
*Oil - 2 tblsp
Method
1. Heat little oil in a pan, roast the urad dal and grated coconut till a nice aroma come. Keep it aside.
2. Next add zucchini pieces and green chillies to the same pan and fry till it becomes tender.
3. Add the garlic, tamarind, Asaefoetida, cumin seeds and cilantro and saute for few minutes.
4. Gind all the above ingrediants along with the roasted dal and grated coconut in a blender. Grind it to a fine paste with little water.
5. Heat oil in a pan, splutter the mustard seeds, curry leaves and dry red chilly.
6. Add it to the ground mixture. Serve with plain white rice or idlis.
[ Serves: 3 to4 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg.]
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Tomato Chutney
This chutney is very tasty and it can be served with idli , dosa , vada, chapati and other tiffin varieties.
Ingredients
*Tomatoes - 3 to 4
*Onion - medium size 1
*Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp.
*Green chillies - 1
*Jaggery - amarble size.
*Mustard - 1/4 tsp.
*Blackgram dhal - 1/2 tsp.
*Curry leaves
*Salt - to taste
Method
1. Grind together tomatoes, onion, green chillies and jaggery to a smooth paste.
2. Heat a little oil. Fry mustard seeds, curry leaves and blackgram dhal.
3. Add to it the paste, chilly powder and salt.
4. Stir and let it simmer well. In a few minutes, the gravy will get thickned and leave the side.
5. Tomato chutney is ready to serve.
[ Serves: 4 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg.
Calories: Tomato Chutney -1 tblspn = 15 ]
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Tomato Chutney - 2
Ingredinets
*Tomato - 3
*Onion - 1
*Green chillies - 2
*Sambar powder - 1/2 tsp.
*Black gram dhal - 1/2 tsp.
*Mustard - 1/4 tsp.
*Curry leaves
*Salt - to taste
Method
1. Chop onion, tomatoes and green chillies.
2. In a frying pan, fry mustard, blackgram dhal.
3. Add chopped onion, tomatoes and chillies and stir well.
4. Add salt, sambar powder [or chilli powder].
5. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes until the gravy gets thickened.
6. Remove from the fire. Garnish with curry and coriander leaves.
7. Tomato chutney is ready and can be served with Idli, Dosa, Puris, Chapatis etc.
[ Serves: 3 to 4 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg.
Calories: 1 tblspn Chutney=15 calories]
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Tomato Pickle
My mother is known for her expertise in preparing the best of pickles. There are two types of tomato pickle my mother usually prepares, based on availability of fresh tomatoes, time and a good amount of sunshine. The sun dried version is labor intensive but totally worth the effort and time. Having said that, the other version she prepares is an instant tomato pickle that tastes equally good. It’s full flavored, well balanced, a little spicy with a superb garlicy tang and not to mention - a beautiful vibrant shade of red.
This tangy and spicy pickle, so full fo flavour, works good with idlis, dosas and rice. One can also combine a tablespoon of tomato pickle in a cup of thick yogurt and serve with hot aloo parathas. Remember to use fresh, ripe and firm tomatoes for this pickle.
Ingredients
*1 1/2 kg tomatoes, wash, dry and slice
*large lemon sized tamarind [use if the tomatoes lack tang]
*2 tbsps red chilli pwd [as reqd]
*1 tsp methi pwd
*1 1/2 - 2 tbsps salt [as reqd]
*2-3 tbsps oil
For tempering
1 tsp mustard seeds
pinch of methi seeds
15 fresh curry leaves
3-4 dry red chillis
15 cloves garlic, sllightly crushed.
2 tbsps oil
Method
1 Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel, add the sliced tomatoes and cook on high heat for 5 mts. Reduce heat to medium high and continue to cook till the oil separates and the tomatoes turn mushy.
2 Towards the end of the cooking process as the oil seperates, reduce heat and keep stirring till the oil separates completely (the tomatoes could take a good 45 mts to an hour to cook). Turn off heat, add the tamarind and place lid. The tamarind will soften with the heat of the cooked tomatoes. Cool completely.
3 Once cool, add salt and grind the cooked tomatoes along with tamarind to a paste. Remove onto a vessel. Add chilli pwd and methi pwd. Combine.
3 In a pan, add 2 tbsps oil, add mustards seeds, methi seeds and fry till the mustard splutters and the methi turns red. Add the dry red chillis, curry leaves and saute for a few seconds and turn off heat. Add the crushed garlic and leave aside the tempering for 4-5 mts.
4 Once cool, add this tempering along with oil to the tomato paste. Combine well. Cool and store in an airtight bottle. Refrigerate.
Note:
Use tamarind only if the tomatoes are sweet without any tang. Usually slightly tangy tomatoes work best for this pickle
[ Serves: According to consumption.
Recipe Type: Veg.
Calories: 100gms Tomatoes = 20 ]
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Green Chilli Pickle
Chili pickle is a great way to spice up your food. Those who prefer mild levels of spicing might find this too hot.
Ingredients:
*20 green Serrano chili peppers
*2 tablespoons coriander
*1 tablespoon fennel seeds
*1 teaspoon fenugreek seed
*3 teaspoons salt
*1 teaspoon mango powder
*1/2 teaspoon turmeric
*1 tablespoon vinegar
*2 tablespoons oil, mustard oil preferred
Method
1.Wash and wipe dry the green chilies. Make a vertical slit in the center of each chili.
2.Take coriander, fennel, and fenugreek seeds and grind them coarsely. Heat the oil and mix all the dry ingredients together, add vinegar and mix.
3.Fill the peppers with spice mix. Keep them in a glass jar and keep the jar in the sun for a day.
4.Chili pickle can be refrigerated for about a month.
[ Serves: According to comsumption/shelf life.
Recipe Type Veg.
Calories: 1 tblspn Green Chilies=2 ]
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Sweet Grated Mango Pickle
Though Avakaa is the most beloved mango pickle to the people of Andhra, there is also another variety in mango pickle called the sweet mango pickle. My mother learned this tasty pickle from her neighbour from Andhra. This pickle involves a lot of labour and time and the finished product is nodoubt delicious for the entire family!
A sweet mango pickle with grated/sliced mango needs to be refrigerated. Dried mango slices, chilli powder, methi powder and jaggery are the ingredients which go into its making. For this recipe,there no fixed measurement of ingredients. If the mangoes are more sour, we just need to increase use of jaggery and vice versa. Makes a great accompaniment to curd rice and tiffins like upma. Very tasty to go with Curd Rice! I really love this recipe of my mothers'!!
Sun Dried Mango Slices:
Ingredients:
*3 raw green mangoes [washed, wiped dry, skinned and sliced]
*1/2 tsp turmeric powder
*2 tbsps red chilli powder
*1 tsp roasted fenugreek seeds powder [methi/menthi podi]
*2 1/2 tbsps salt
*3/4 to 1 cup grated jaggery [melt and strain] or sugar
For Seasoning
*1/4 tsp asafoetida/hing
*1 1/2 tbsp oil
Method
1. Combine turmeric powder and two tbsps salt with the mango slices, cover with lid and leave overnight.
2. Next day, strain the water and sun- dry the mango slices for three days.
3. On the fourth day, prepare the grated pickle.
4. Boil 2 cups of water and turn off heat. Once the water reaches room temperature, add the dried mango slices and let it soak for an hour or till the pieces soften and water is absorbed. 5. Meanwhile, boil the strained jaggery for 8-10 mts or till it reaches one string stage [padam].
6. Keep aside to cool for 7-8 mts. Combine red chilli pwd, methi pwd and salt [as required] to the soaked mango slices and mix well.
7. Add the jaggery syrup and combine well.
8. Heat oil in a pan, add asafoetida and fry for a few seconds till the flavor comes out and add to the mango pickle.
9. Store in an air tight bottle and refrigerate.
10.This pickle can be eaten immediately on preparation.
[ Serves: Accordingly to consumption/shelf life
Recipe Type: Veg.
Calories: 100gms Mango=74
Preparation Time: 1 hr ]
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Ridgegourd Chutney[Peerkangai Chutney]
Ingredients
*Ridgeguard - 2 cups of ridgegourd peeled]
*Dry red Chilly - 4
*Tamarind - blueberry size
*Garlic - 2 cloves [optional]
*Urad dal [Black garm] - 1 tblsp
*Sesame seeds - 1 tblsp
*Grated Coconut - 1 tblsp [optional]
*Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
*Asaefoetida - a pinch
*Salt - to taste
*Oil - 1 tblsp
Method
1. Wash the ridge gourd peel the outer skin. [You can use the skin alone for the chutney or use the entire ridgegourd or without the skin too.]
[ Serves: 8 Persons
Recipe Type: Veg
Calories per serving: approx.26 ]
2. Cut the ridgegourd skin [and/or flesh if using] into small pieces and keep it aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan, fry the urad dal till it turns golden brown.
4. Add the sesame seeds, grated coconut [optional] and dry red chillies and fry for a minute.
5. Add the ridgegourd pieces, garlic cloves and tamarind and fry till it is cooked and becomes tender. Switch off the flame.
6. After this cools enough to handle, blend everything together with required salt, asaefoetida and very little water.
7. Ridgegourd chutney is ready. Serve this chutney with rice, idli and dosai.
