In the vibrant world of Indian cuisines, coconut chutney stands as a beloved classic, a creamy and flavourful companion. This nutty chutney elevates the taste of your regular meals or south indian special dosa and idlis. It is perfectly balanced with the richness of fresh coconut and the tang of tamarind or curd.
Ingredients Used in Coconut Chutney
To make two cups of coconut chutney, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1.5 Cup Fresh Chopped Coconut
- 3 Green chillies
- 1/4 Cup Roasted Chana Dal/ Daria
- 1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1/4 Teaspoon Asafoetida
- 2 Dried Red Chillies
- 1 Inch Ginger
- 10 Curry leaves
- 2 Tablespoon Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Salt As Per Taste
Step-by-Step Process to Grind Coconut and Ingredients
You can make the coconut chutney by following a few simple steps of grinding and sauteing ingredients in a pan. Here is the step-by-step process to make this flavourful chutney:
- First, take out the fresh coconut from the shell and chop it into small pieces.
- In a grinding jar, pour the chopped coconut, green chillies, chana dal/daria, salt and ginger pieces.
- Add 1/2 cup of water and grind all ingredients until they form a smooth texture.
- Transfer the mixture from the jar to a bowl.
Tempering Process With Mustard Seeds, Curry Leaves And Oil For Authentic South Indian Flavour
After mixing the batter, you also need to fry some ingredients to get the authentic South Indian flavour from the traditional chutney coco. Let's have a quick look at how to add irresistible taste to the coconut chutney:
- Turn on the gas and heat the oil in a small pan on medium heat.
- Add asafoetida, curry leaves and mustard seeds to it. Once they crackle, add dried red chilli and curry leaves.
- Let them roast for a minute.
- Switch off the flame and immediately pour the entire tempering together with the oil on the ground coconut chutney in the bowl.
Now mix the chutney and serve with the dish of your choice.
Variations of Coconut Chutney
Once the coconut chutney is prepared, add some zesty, flavourful ingredients to the chutney. The following are a few ways to enhance the taste of the chutney:
- Coriander Coconut Chutney: Include a big handful of fresh coriander leaves when grinding the coconut to bring in the freshness of herbs.
- Mint Coconut Chutney: Grind a couple of fresh mint leaves along with coconut. It will give you a cooling chutney with a green color.
- Red Chilli Coconut Chutney: For those who like spicy things, use more dry red chillies or include one fresh red chilli along with coconut. The spicy red chilli coconut chutney goes very well with vadas.
Tips To Fix Bitter Watery Or Thick Chutney
In case your coconut chutney has become watery or a thick paste, you can bring back its consistency by following these steps:
- To reduce the watery effect, add a little more grated coconut or a slice of bread and blend it again to thicken it naturally.
- If the chutney has become highly thick, then simply stir one or two tablespoons of water, curd (yoghurt) or coconut milk until you reach the desired creamy consistency.
Storage Tips, Shelf Life And Refrigeration Best Practices
Store the coconut chutney in an airtight container in the refrigerator to preserve its freshness. Refrigeration of the chutney extends its shelf life up to one week.
Conclusion
Making the coconut chutney is a simple process. You just need to mix a few ingredients and stir them in a frying pan to get the traditional south indian taste. The chutney can also be tried with variations like adding coriander, mint and red chili. With every serving, this chutney adds a vibrant and zesty taste to your meals. You can also try out this recipe with classic breakfast and evening snacks.
