Dates Tamarind Chutney

A simple khatta-meeta(tangy yet sweet) chutney that is best used while making all the different kinds of chaat. Adding the dates instead of plain sugar or jaggery adds the best detail in the chutney.

 

Prep Time: 5 mins
Ingredients

Dates:  8-10
Tamarind Paste: 2 teaspoons
Chili Powder / Dried chilli powder : 1 teaspoon/ 1-2
Sugar: a pinch
Salt: a pinch
Water : 2 tablespoons

De-seed the dates  and put them in a bowl with the water. Microwave it for 1 and half mins. Mix in the tamarind pulp and rest of the ingredients. Mix and grind it all into a fine smooth paste. You could add a little more water to slightly dilute if you think the consistency is little thick. Adjust the salt.

Tamarind chutney is ready.

Upilitta Nelikka Chamanthi (Salted Gooseberry Chutney)

Here's one of our favortite chamanthis that takes us back to  eating simple meals in those olden kerala tharvadu (ancestoral home) kitchens and this one doesn't even take the  time to count from one to a hundred.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

Gooseberrys in salt water/brine: 3-4

Garlic: 2 pods

Green chillies:3-4

Grated Coconut: 1/4 cup

Curry Leaves: few

*Since we didn't find the fresh gooseberrys to start pickling, we made this from the store bought "Grandma's Uppilitta Nellika"

Deseed the gooseberries and chop them into small pieces.Combine rest of the ingredients and grind in the mixer. Mix together and shape them into balls and serve them with steaming rice.

Happy New Year 2011!

Here's wishing all our dear friends and  readers a glorious start to a brand new year filled with abundance of love and happiness. Ring in the new year celebrations with your loved ones with ton loads of  fun, food and festivities.

With a hope to unfold many more recipes and fun ideas to cook, we send our heartfelt wishes to each and every one out there!!

Photo Courtesy: Kiran & Ashwin