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Tomato chutney

Tomato chutney

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Tomato chutney is a versatile South Indian sauce known for its tangy and savoury flavour profile. It pairs exceptionally well with various South Indian dishes, including dosa, idli, uttapam, pongal, upma, vada etc.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 3
Author sumisculinarynotes

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp urad dal whole or split
  • 1 tbsp chana dal split chickpeas
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 2 dry Kashmiri chillies
  • 1 small-sized large onion roughly chopped
  • 3 ripe tomatoes roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • A small piece of tamarind (optional) See notes

For tempering

  • 2 tbsp sesame oil/or any cooking oil
  • ½ tsp urad dal whole or split
  • ½ tsp mustard
  • 1 dried Kashmiri chilly/ dried red chilly
  • A few curry leaves

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add urad dal, chana dal. Once it turns light brown add garlic and dried kashmiri chillies and saute.
  • Add roughly chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
  • Add chopped tomatoes. Cover and cook the tomatoes until they become soft.
  • Once the tomatoes are cooked, remove the lid and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes for the extra moisture to evaporate, so we get a thick chutney. If you prefer a little thin consistency, you can skip this step.
  • Allow the chutney to cool slightly, and then transfer it to a blender or food processor. Add a teaspoon of brown sugar and blend until you achieve your desired consistency. Some people prefer a smooth chutney, while others like it slightly chunky.
  • Transfer the blended chutney to a bowl.

For tempering

  • Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the oil of your choice, and add in the urad dal for an added texture.
  • Once it is light brown, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.
  • Now add the dried Kashmiri chilly and curry leaves and saute.
  • Pour this tempering over the prepared tomato chutney.
  • Be cautious, as it may splutter a bit when it comes into contact with the chutney.
  • Mix the tempering into the chutney, and it's ready to be served.
  • Serve the tomato chutney with dosa, idli, rice, chapati, or any other dish of your choice.
  • Enjoy the flavourful tomato chutney with the added goodness of tempering!

Notes

Adjust the quantities of red chillies according to your spice preferences.
For those who crave a tangy twist and if your tomatoes are on the sweeter side, don't hesitate to toss in a small piece of tamarind while sautéing your tomato chutney!