Golden Papaya Chip Chutney
I was introduced to this dish at a lavish Bengali feast in the suburban Calcutta estate of Mr. Tarun Kunti Ghosh, the publisher of Amrita Patrika Bazaar, Calcutta’s largest newspaper. The memorable prasadam repast contained some of the finest Bengali cuisine I have ever tasted, made with great care in a newly constructed kitchen equipped with freshly made clay stoves, by a fleet of Brahman cooks decked out in new clothes,...
Tamarind Chutney
Ingredients • ¼ C dried tamarind pulp soaked in 1 C of hot water • 1 Tsp cumin powder • 1 Tbsp ginger juice • ¼ C packed brown sugar • 1 C water Preparation 1. Strain the tamarind, collect the juice and discard the tamarind pulp. 2. Combine the tamarind juice and the rest of the ingredients in a saucepan and cook uncovered over low heat for 20 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a...
Bitter Gourd or Karela Chutney
Ingredients •bitter gourd (Karela) – 3 large (deseeded) •Salt, sugar – to taste •Oil – 2 tbsp or 3 tbsp (depending on the size of the karela) •Mustard Seeds – 1/4 tsp •Fenugreek Seeds(Methi Seeds) – 1/8 tsp •Peanuts – 1/2 cup (roughly crushed) •Sesame Seeds (Til) – 2 tbsp •Turmeric Powder (Haldi)- 1/4 tsp •Red Chili Powder – to taste •Coariander Powder(Whole Dhania powder) –...
Coconut & Coriander Chutney
Ingredients • 1½ C fresh shredded coconut • 1 bunch, fresh coriander leaves • 1 Tbsp grated ginger • 2 hot green chilies • ½ C water • ¾ Tsp salt • 1 C yogurt • 2 Tsp oil • 1 Tsp black mustard seeds • ¾ Tsp split urad dal • 8-9 fresh curry leaves • ¼ Tsp yellow asafetida powder Preparation 1. Blend the coconut, coriander, ginger, chilies, salt and water (as required) in a blender until smooth. 2. In a bowl, whisk the yogurt...
Date and Raisin Chutney
Dates are the candy-like fruits of date palm trees, and raisins are sun-dried grapes. Both are intensely sweet and, combined, have considerable nutritive value, especially in concentrated iron. Dates are sold in several states, from very soft and fresh to hard and dry. If possible, use soft organic dates in this recipe. Preparation time (after assembling ingredients): 2 ½ hours Ingredients • Fennel...
Zesty Green Tomato Chutney
Bengalis love green tomato chutney either sweet or sweet ‘n’ sourfor although it is made from a plebeian ingredient, it has a wonderfully delicate flavor. In this century-old recipe from Bir Nagar, saffron and lime juice beautifully set off a green tomato-papaya combination. Bengalis are fond of both unripened mango and papaya, and many cooks might toss in a handful of diced fruit about halfway through the...