Home

Friday, March 4, 2011

Date - Tamarind Chutney




A generous swirl of date and tamarind chutney on my chaat, and I'm a happy camper. This sweet-tangy and slightly spicy chutney lends a great flavour and I cannot imagine chaat minus this.
Different restaurants have different tasting date-tamarind chutneys and street vendors seem to get it just perfect. This is my attempt at making this chutney -

Ingredients:
3/4 cup pitted dates
2 to 3 tbsp jaggery
2 tbsp tamarind
1/2 tsp chilli powder
3/4 tsp cumin (jeera) powder
Salt to taste

The measures are approximate. Jaggery usually comes in blocks and it's a pain to try and fit it into a tablespoon, so just eyeball it. I used a large piece of tamarind, again approximately 2 tbsp, but you can increase or decrease it depending on how tangy you like the chutney.

Method:
Bring about 1 1/2 cups of water to boil. Add dates, jaggery and tamarind. Boil for 10 to15 minutes, stirring a few times in between. Add chilli powder, cumin powder and salt. Allow to cool. Blend [You can add some water when blending if you want a runny chutney. I added about 1/2 cup water]. Strain if required.



Relish with samosas or pakodas, in combination with Mint Chutney.

13 comments:

  1. I love this chutney with samosa chat and other chat recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. tempting and delicious chutney..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Date Tamarind Chutney looks so tasty and tangy. Can't stop drooling.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

    ReplyDelete
  4. We make this on holi as a side thing to go with poori, pua and dahi vada, love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Glad to see that ur posts are coming sooner than expected ! just tell me ..in this chutney dont u roast jeera and then powder it ? i usually add ' roasted jeera powder '. i think it gives a wonderful flavour and aroma than just unroasted one .

    ReplyDelete
  6. will go well with all chaats ! good one

    ReplyDelete
  7. dats nice...glad to see addition of dates

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tongue tickling chutney for the sure..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey Aparna.. Splendid chutney there! :)

    And thanks for the reminder. Haven't been posting much lately. I'd better get my act together for the occasion. :)

    ReplyDelete