What Is Chutney And How Can You Make It?

Once you've seen all the possibilities, we hope you'll want to try making your own chutney at home. It's really not as hard as you might think, and once you taste your own creation, you'll never go back to store-bought again.

What is Chutney?

A question I get all the time and I totally get it – chutney is one of those condiments that can be used in so many different ways, that it's hard to know where to start. That's why I made this article – to show you all the amazing things you can do with it.

It is used as a spread in the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. It can be found in many forms, such as tomato or onion relish, a garnish made of peanuts that can be ground or thinly chopped, natural yoghurt or curd, spicy fresh coconut, spicy onion chutney, mint dipping sauce or even cucumber.

They are flavorsome and rich in aromas and add a whole new dimension to your meal.

What Is It Made Of

They are made of many different things but often include vinegar, sugar, and spices. They can be made of fruits, vegetables, or a combination of both. The main ingredient is what gives it its character.

What Is It Used For

• It is used as a condiment in Indian cuisine, either as a dipping sauce or as a spread-over piece of bread.
• It is also eaten as an accompaniment to main dishes, such as curries and tandoori chicken.
• It can also be served with rice or naan bread.

Chutney Vs Relish

• The difference between Chutney and Relish is that Chutney contains chopped vegetables and fruit, whereas Relish contains one type of vegetable.
• It is a better accompaniment for curries and Indian dishes, whilst relish is great with burgers and hot dogs.
• It has a softer consistency, whilst relish is more like a paste.

Chutney vs Jam

Chutney and Jam are two popular condiments that are often used in cooking. Chutney and Jam are both condiments that are made from fruits, but they have different flavors. The main difference between the two is that chutneys are savory while jams are sweet.

• It is savory while jam is sweet.
• It can be made with a variety of ingredients, some of which can be sweet, like fruits and dry fruits, but by adding vinegar and spices, the ingredients are turned into a condiment that is spicy`, flavorsome, and fragrant.
• Jams also often contain pectin which creates a thick texture.
• It contains no added pectin and can be chunky and full of pieces of dried fruit and raisins, or they can be blended until smooth.

Types Of Chutney

The word chutney is derived from the Indian words chatna, meaning "to lick" or "to eat with an appetite". It has been an important part of India's cuisine for centuries.

They are made with fruit or vegetables which are cooked in spices such as cumin and coriander, before being mixed with vinegar or lime juice to make what some people call a dip. They can also be preserved by adding sugar and salt to create what we know as a preserve.

Types: Sweet chutney recipes will often include raisins, figs, dates, or apricots while savory ones will probably have dried fruits like apples and pears. There are many different types, so what you use will depend on what you are eating it with.

There are a variety of different recipes, some of which include:

1. Coconut Chutney

This hotel style coconut chutney is created with real coconut and goes well with dosas, idlis, vada, and upma, among other South Indian breakfast dishes. For a smoky and hot flavor, try this red chili coconut chutney instead, while for a fresh peppery hint, go for this green coriander coconut chutney.

2. Tomato Chutney

It is a form of chutney that originated in India and is made with tomatoes as the main ingredient. Tomato chutneys do go well with a rice dosa. Alternatively, serve it with uthappam or idli. It also pairs very well with curd rice. There's no need to limit yourself to south Indian cuisine. Serve tomato chutney with aloo paratha, chapattis, or naan bread.

3. Mango Chutney

It is a type of chutney that is made with mangoes as the main ingredient. It is a popular condiment in Indian cuisine and can also be used in other South Asian dishes. Some of the best uses include:

• Serving it with rice dosa.
• Use mango chutney as a dip for naan bread or chapattis.
• Adding it to curd rice.
• Stirring it into lentil soup for an added layer of flavor.

4. Tamarind Chutney

It is also known as imli chutney, is a traditional Indian condiment that goes well with chaats, vada pav, and samosa chaat.

5. Garlic Chutney

Also called lahsun chutney, lahsun ki chutney, and lehsun chutney, is made with fresh garlic cloves, fresh coconut (dry on occasion), green or red chili peppers that originated in the Indian subcontinent, or different nuts, such as peanuts. Tamarind and Cumin are also used as ingredients on occasion.

6. Mint Chutney

It is also called pudina chutney, which is a spicy, flavorful, and nutritious Indian side dish. Mint chutney is a condiment made from fresh mint leaves, green chili peppers, and a mixture of spices. Mint chutney is typically served as a dip with Indian food or as a spread on flatbreads.

7. Apple Chutney

Fresh apples, ginger, orange peel, onion, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar are used to make it, which has a tangy, sour, spicy, and sweet flavor.

8. Schezwan Sauce

Schezwan sauce, also known as Schezwan Chutney, is an Indo-Chinese condiment made from ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and Kashmiri red chilies.

9. Onion Chutney

Fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs are combined with vinegar, sugar, and spices to make it. It's intended to bring harmony to a variety of foods or to give focus on one particular flavor profile.

10. Zucchini Chutney

Thogayal (zucchini spread) is a delicacy in practically every South Indian home. The thogayal dish uses roasted ingredients such as urad dal, red chilies, and curry leaves, which are blended into a paste with zucchini and tamarind to create a fresh flavor that is simply wonderful.

11. Peanut chutney

Peanut chutney is a sauce made from ground peanuts, lentils, curry leaves, and spices. It is often served with dosas or idlis as an accompaniment, but can also be used as a condiment for other dishes such as rice or curry.

It is a popular dish in South India and is typically made using peanuts, dried red chili peppers, tamarind, and a host of other spices and herbs.

12. Curry Leaves Chutney

Curry leaves chutney is a popular South Indian condiment made from freshly ground curry leaves, coconut, and spices. It has a rich flavor with a hint of sweetness that makes it perfect for accompanying rice dishes or as an accompaniment to other traditional foods such as idli and dosa.

This spicy chutney is also used as a topping for savory snacks like vadas and pakoras. It is also great with sandwiches, wraps, and toast.

It's easy to make at home and can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

How To Make

1. Ground peanuts are combined with various spices such as cumin seeds, garlic cloves, ginger, salt, black peppercorns, dried red chili peppers, and curry leaves.
2. Hot water is added to this mixture and ground into a paste.
3. This paste is then fried in oil until it becomes golden brown in color.
4. Once the peanut sauce is ready, it can be served with dosas, idlis, or even as a side dish with rice and curry.

How To Make A Simple Homemade Chutney

Making it is a great way to preserve the flavors of summertime produce like tomatoes, peppers, and mangoes. Chutneys can be made to use as a condiment for curries or grilled meats. In this recipe, we will show you how to make it using fresh ingredients from your garden or local farmers' market.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chopped tomatoes
• ½ cup of chopped onion
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ¼ cup of chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup of lime juice

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin powder, chili powder, and salt. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold.

Tips for Making

1. Start by selecting the freshest ingredients possible. This will ensure that it has the best flavor.
2. Use a variety of fruits and vegetables to create a well-rounded flavor profile.
3. Be sure to cook the vegetables until they are soft before adding the other ingredients.
4. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.
5. Enjoy your chutney as a condiment with Indian dishes or grilled meats, or use it to add flavor to sandwiches and burgers.

People Also Ask [FAQs]

Wrap Up: What is Chutney?

• It is a type of sauce or paste that comes in many varieties and can be used to enhance the flavor of food items, such as sandwiches.
• Mango chutney is one variety made from mangoes, vinegar, sugar, and spices.
• Garlic chutney originated in India but there are variations around the world with different ingredients depending on what’s available locally.
• Chutneys typically use vegetables like tomatoes and onions as their main ingredient with fruit additions for sweetness and acidity.
• Relishes tend to have more vegetables than fruit so they're usually tangier whereas sweet flavors dominate a typical Indian mango chutney recipe because it's served alongside savory dishes like curries and biryani.

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Homemade Chutney Recipe

Recipe

Chutney Recipe

Elle

Making chutney is a great way to preserve the flavors of summertime produce like tomatoes, peppers, and mangoes. Chutney can also be used as a condiment for curries or grilled meats. In this recipe, we will show you how to make chutney using fresh ingredients from your garden or local farmers' market.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 2 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

0 mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 portions

Calories 97 kcal

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 cup of chopped tomatoes
• ½ cup of chopped onion
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon of cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ¼ cup of chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup of lime juice

Instructions

 

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin powder, chili powder, and salt. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Serve warm or cold.

Notes

1. Start by selecting the freshest ingredients possible. This will ensure that your chutney has the best flavor.

2. Allow the chutney to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2376mgPotassium: 661mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 2162IUVitamin C: 48mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Chutney, Chutney Recipe

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