Onion Tomato Chutney (Kaara Chutney)

Ingredients

 

Onion - 2 (roughly chopped) - You can also use 15 pearl onions instead

Tomatoes - 2 or 3 (roughly chopped)

Dry red chillies - 6 (or to taste)

Garlic cloves - 3

Ginger - very small piece (about 1/4")

Urad dal (Black gram) - 1 tblsp

Chana Dal   - 1 tbsp

Oil - 2 tblsp

Salt - to taste

Preparation Method :

1. Heat oil in a pan and fry the chana dal and  urad dal till it turns slightly brown.

2. Add the dry red chillies, ginger piece and garlic pods. Fry for a minute or so.

3. Add the onion and tomato pieces. Saute for few minutes till both the onion and tomato pieces are soft but not browned.

4. Switch off and cool the mixture a bit.

 

5. Grind it to a smooth chutney along with salt. (You can add a very tiny piece of tamarind if you feel the tomatoes are not sour enough.)

6. Transfer the chutney to a serving dish. This chutney can be served with idli, dosa, uthappam.

Variations - You can add a tempering of mustard seeds, urad dal, asafoetida and curry leaves to the chutney and make it more flavourful.

- If you want to add some texture to the chutney, include 2 tblsp of grated coconut while grinding.

- Also You Can Use Green Chilies Instead Of Red Chilies.

- This chutney is very versatile. You can skip the garlic, ginger, urad dal or substitute urad dal with channa dal. Each variation has a slightly different flavour.