Khajoor Imli Ki Chutney

One of the easiest chutneys to make and most loved dip with hot samosas and pakoras is this chutney. Sweet from the dates countering the sour tangy tamarind balanced with some spice makes it lip smacking.

I have been wanting to use most stuff in my pantry, lest they get packed in the container and sit long in all sort of weather conditions. So when I found these dates, that we purchased during Ramadan, few weeks ago, they were the one of the first few to be cooked and consumed. I made quite a quantity and stored. Hence the texture is thick. Just add some warm water before serving to the required quantity of chutney. This stays well in the refrigerator for about two weeks.

The recipe has been adapted from Ms. Geeta Narang's Tastes of India, the cook book that comes complimentary with LG microwave ovens. I have reduced the water in order to enhance shelf life. Rest of the ingredients and the cooking in microwave are from the book.

Ingredients:

100 grams tamarind

50 grams powdered jaggery

50 grams dates (after de-seeding)

1/2 teaspoon roasted cuminseeds powder

1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder

Salt to taste

Black pepper powder to taste (coarsely crushed)

Red chilli powder to taste

1 cup water

Method:

Clean the tamarind and soak in some water for a few minutes.

Microwave the soaked tamarind with the water on 100% power for 3-4 minutes.

Cool and strain to collect the pulp.

In another bowl add the dates, salt, garam masala, black pepper, red chilli powder and some water.

Cook this covered on 100% power for 4-5 minutes till the dates have cooked soft.

Allow to cool. Add the tamarind pulp and jaggery. Return to the microwave oven and cook without lid on, for about 6 minutes on 80% power until chutney is thick.

Remove and sprinkle the roasted cumin seeds powder.

Cool and store.

Garnish with arils of pomegranate while serving.

This is a perfect accompaniment with papri chaat, dahi vada and such dishes.

This chutney will fill some space in Jagruti's Thali. She is hosting a series Complete my thali which will feature one requirement a month, this time being chutneys.

Also Srivalli's Microwave easy cookong is currently happening in Nivedita's kitchen with fruits,

while an ongoing 365 days of microwave cooking is featured @ Cooking 4 all seasons.

The chutney is off to all these places.