Garlic Tomato Chutney/ Dip

An easy to make flavor packed chutney/ Dip with garlic, tomato and shallots. It is one of my favourite dip to serve with bread / Roti. This chutney stays well for 2 days at room temperature and hence can be packed for travel / picnic / make ahead for parties. Best served with Roti / bread. Other serving suggestions are with chips, crackers, cutlets, nachos, or over steamed rice.

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2  Tablespoon unsalted butter ( you can use vegetable oil instead of butter)
• 1/2 Teaspoon cumin seeds
• 3 Garlic cloves crushed and chopped
• 1/2 Cup shallots chopped finely
• 2 Large ripe tomatoes pureed in food processor
• 1 Teaspoon granulated white sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon red chilli powder / paprika
• 1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a pan on low flame melt butter. When the butter melts, add cumin seeds and let them splutter
2. Add crushed garlic cloves and fry until they turn light golden
3. Add shallots and fry on low flame until they are soft and has a nice char on the edges and little crispy
4. Then add pureed tomatoes and sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar and let the tomatoes cook for 10 minutes until they the water evaporates from the tomatoes and the mixture is dry
5. Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder and 1/4 cup water and let the chutney cook for 5 minutes. Stir intermittently
6. After 5 minutes of cooking or when the water evaporates, add 1/4 cup more water and let the chutney cook further 5 minutes until the water evaporates. This process of " adding water, cooking chutney until the water evaporates and then again adding water"  gives this chutney a nice tangy, sweet taste
7. Finally season with salt and ground pepper. It is very important to season with salt only at the last step. Otherwise the tomato puree reduces considerably in quantity in the process of cooking and the chutney turns very salty if you add the salt initially in the cooking process.
8. Switch off the flame and serve hot with your favourite bread / dosa / flavoured rice