TamilNadu Cuisine :
South Indian restaurants are popular for the variety of Chutneys they serve.Chutneys lift up the meal time spirit.Kara chutney is one of my most favorite among all the chutneys. Apart from serving with breakfast, you can serve with Rice as well.On special occasions, traditional Tamil dishes are served using banana leaves in place of utensils. . Growing Up we were served traditional dishes at home most of the time. There are many traditional recipes from this fabulous cuisine :- Sambar Varities
- Rasam Varietues
- Poriyals
- Kootu Varieties
- Rice Variety
- Sweets
- Thogayal Varieties
- Chutneys
- Pickles
Some Popular Chutney Varieties from TamilNadu:
- Coconut Chutney
- Coriander Chutney / Kothamalli Chutney
- Pudina Chutney
- Peanut Chutney / Verkadalai chutney
- Onion Chutney
- Tomato Chutney
- Kara Chutney
- Garlic Chutney / Poondu Chutney
- Curry Leaves Chutney
Serving Traditional Food:
On any auspicious occasion, traditional dishes are served on a banana leaf. It is best enjoyed when eaten using your hands and sitting on the floor .Before eating traditional cuisine, people clean the banana leaf with water.After eating, the banana leaves are then fed to the cattle.Rice staples, Paruppu, sambar, rasam, poriyal ,pachadi and koottu are served with salt, ghee, pickle, appalam and curd. It is really soul satisfying.KARA CHUTNEY (TAMILNADU STYLE)
Kara Chutney is Spicy and Tangy with vibrant red color from the Kashmiri Chillies. Serve with Idli , Dosa , Paniyaram or Appam . Goes well with Rice too.
Ingredients
- 3 Nos Ripe Red Tomatoes chopped
- 10 Nos Shallots
- 6 Nos Kashmiri Dry Red Chillies
- 3 Nos Dry Red Chilli (Spicy Variety)
- 4 Nos Garlic Cloves
- 2 Tbsp Channa Dal
- 1 Tsp Urad Dal
- 1 Piece Small Piece of Tamrind
- 2 Tbsp Gingelly Oil
- Salt to taste
For Tempering :
- 2 Tsp Gingelly Oil
- 8 Nos Curry Leaves
- 1 Tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/4 Tsp Asafoetida
Instructions
- Heat 2 Tbsp Gingelly Oil ina wok. Once the oil is hot add channa dal , urad dal and dry red chillies.
- Fry till the dals change colour. Now add garlic pods and saute well.
- Next add shallots and saute untill they change color slightly.
- Now add the chopped tomatoes , tamrind piece and saute untill they are soft and mushy.
- Turn off the heat and allow it to cool completely.
- Add salt to the tomato onion mixture and blend to a smooth paste. I have not added water.
- Transfer the Contents to a bowl.
For Tempering
- Heat 2 Tsp Oil in a small pan.
- Add curry leaves and mustard . Once it starts to splutter add Asafoetida or hing.
- Turn off the heat.
- Pour the tempering over the chutney.
- Serve with Idli , Dosa, Det Dosa, Paniyaram , Appam or Rice and Enjoy…………………….
Notes
- Always use Gingelly oil for best results. It elevated the taste of the chutney.
- Adjust the number of chillies as per your spice tolerance.
- I have used Kashmiri Chillies for the bright red colour. It is not hot.
- You can use a mix of dry red chillies and fresh green chillies. The colour will vary.
- Serve fresh for best taste.
- You can store it in an airtight container . Stays good when refrigerated.
- I prefer to make it fresh as it just takes 20 minutes.
- You the desi variety of ripe plump red tomatoes .
Absolutely delicious and flavorful kara chutney. Love the colors and the flavors of this simple yet delicious chutney.
Wow, wow a really tempting bowl of Kara Chutney. Love this tomato based chutney with idlis. I like your suggestion of enjoying it with some rice. Going to make some today so I can have it leftover rice.
Kara chutney and uttapam are our house favourites. You kara chutney colour… in tamil slang I have to say ” chanse illai”.( So lovely)
Kara Chutney is tasty and makes a good accompaniment with idli and dosa. I have made it a couple of times, good reminder to make again Preethi.
Bright and appealing color of kaara chutney ..this is Vj’s fav . Give him this and he can polish off anything off his plate 😉
South Indian style chutney are my all time favorite. This kara chutney looks spicy and lipsmackingly delicious. Can’t wait to try.
One of my favourite chutneys from the South Indian cuisine. Loved your detailed recipe.. will definitely try it with rice as per your suggestion. Wonderful share.
The color of the chutney with tempering on the top makes me mouthwatering. I will lick the entire bowl of chutney all myself. would need some hot idli/dosa