Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Tomato Onion Chutney (Thakkali Vengayam Chutney)


This is another quick and easy chutney that tastes awesome. I've modified this from a recipe that I saw on www.pachakam.com. Tomato is the predominant flavor, which is accented by sweet onion, tangy tamarind, and the unique, earthy flavor of coriander seeds. It's the roasting of the coriander seeds and grinding them into the chutney that truly makes this a special dish!

So, if you've got minimal ingredients around and are in a fix, give this chutney a try. You'll be glad!

Ingredients:

Tomatoes - 3 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Onion - 1 medium, coarsely chopped

Tamarind - small gooseberry size
Red chillies - 6-8, or to taste
Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Asafoetida - large pinch
Salt to taste

For seasoning:

Oil
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 5-6 leaves, torn

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add red chillies, fry until they've darkened, and remove.

2. In the same hot oil, add onions, curry leaves, coriander seeds, and fry until the onion is translucent.

3. Now, add the tomatoes and allow to soften slightly. Add asafoetida and turn off the heat.

4. Grind the cooled mixture with tamarind and salt.

5. At this point, do the seasoning with mustard and curry leaves and pour over ground chutney. Mix well and serve.

Enjoy this with idli, dosa, uthappam, or any tiffin items!

21 comments:

FH said...

I make the same way, great with parathas as well. Love the color, good one!:)

Cham said...

Except the coriander seeds , i make it the same way. Love the combo!

Dhivya said...

i do make the same way..idli poo mari iruku kalai:)))Can u parcel this to me now:))

Kalai said...

Thanks, Ashakka! :)

Cham, try with coriander seeds. You'll love the difference! :)

Dhivya, sure! Address anupunga! :)

indosungod said...

Yes my favorite pairing, making its appearance atleast once or twice a week.

Uma said...

Lovely chutney, Kalai! I add fenugreek seeds also to this chutney! Looks sooo good! Love the color.

Pooja said...

lovely chutney Kalai.

I just dropped an email to you , check it and reply soon.

EC said...

Nice chutney ...should have tasted like the ones we get in hotels

Lavanya Raj said...

Kalai lovely chutney..i like those perfect idlies silently sitting on the plate.

when u prepare this chutney next time..try adding few garlic pieces and cilantro(all fried).

Unknown said...

thanks for sharing this recipe...am bookmarking it...beautiful colour

Laavanya said...

I make a very similar one too.. perfect with idlis. Looks great.

DEEPA said...

Perfect chutney for dosai and idli!!!Thanks for sharing

AnuSriram said...

Gr8 colour and flavour! I too make the same way... Goes good with dosas,idlis and upmas

Pravs said...

idli looks fluffy and nice with chutney.

Sagari said...

nice chutney recipe kalai adding coriender seeds is new for me

Kalai said...

Indo, love it so much, too!

Uma, I should try adding methi seeds next time. Thanks! :)

Pooja, thanks, dear! :)

EC, yup, it was delicious! :)

Kalai said...

Lavi, great ideas! Will definitely try that out, too! :)

Saswati, thank you! :)

Laavanya, would love to try your version, too! :)

Deepa, thanks! :)

Anu, great minds think alike, huh? :)

Kalai said...

Pravs, thank you! :)

Sagari, I hope you try it. The flavor by adding coriander seeds is really awesome! :)

Jayashree said...

I always love chutney recipes....'coz everyone adds in a different something to give the chutney a unique taste...I like your idea of adding dhania to the chutney.

srikars kitchen said...

nice colour

Archy said...

Lovely color of the chutney Kalai..
Next time i shall try this chutney for idli !! Thanks for sharing !!