A Tale of Two Chutneys

Well, not exactly a tale... but basically born from my desire to have some chutney options on hand that include some veggies as well. Of course, my husband's reigning favorite of all times remains the Coconut Chutney but I don't make that often and my parents will probably be amused since it was an almost daily staple for breakfast along with idlis, when I was growing up.

Anyways.. coming to these 2 chutneys, I have not cooked much with turnips before and bought it thinking it would make a good addition to the sambar veggies but was pleasantly surprised when I attempted a chutney out of it. The other chutney is a Red Bell pepper chutney and it couldn't be simpler but i loved the combination of spicy and a subtle sweetness from the bell pepper itself and it has such a ravishing colour too that makes it all the more irresistible. Both chutneys pair great with idlis, dosais and oothapams.

TURNIP CHUTNEY


Ingredients:
Turnip - 1 small/ half of a big one, peeled and cut into small cubes
Onion - half of a medium one, chopped
Tomato - 1 small tomato, chopped
Garlic - 2 cloves
Ginger - half inch piece
Red Chilli powder / Sambar powder - 1 tsp (or to taste)
Urad dhal - 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - few
Salt - to taste
Oil - 1 tsp + 1 tsp

Method:
1) Heat 1 tsp of oil in a pan and add urad dhal, when light golden, toss in the onions, ginger and garlic. When transparent and light golden, add in the tomatoes and turnips and stir for a few minutes.
2) Stir in the sambar/chilli powder along with salt. Cover and allow to cook on a low flame till the turnips become soft. It takes about 5-7 minutes typically. When this is done, switch off the stove and allow to cool.
3) Grind this to a paste in the mixie/blender. No need to add any water.

4) Heat the remaining 1 tsp of oil in the pan and season with mustard seeds and curry leaves, when they splutter, add the ground chutney and stir until it thickens a bit. This is now ready to serve.


RED BELL PEPPER CHUTNEY


Ingredients:
Red Bell Pepper (Capsicum) - 1, stalks & seeds removed, cut into pieces
Green Chillies / Dried Red Chillies - 4 to 5 (to taste, depending on spiciness of chillies)
Tamarind - small piece
Urad dhal - half tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - 1 tsp
Gingelly oil (Nallennai) - 2 tsp
Mustard seeds - half tsp
Curry leaves - few

Method:
1) Heat the 1 tsp of oil and add urad dhal and a small piece of tamarind, then add the chillies and the capsicum pieces, with a bit of salt and saute till they soften a bit. Remove from the stove and allow to cool a bit.


2) Grind this in a mixie.

3) Heat the 2 tsp of nallennai and season with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add to the chutney.


Other Veggie Chutneys:
Radish Chutney
Zucchini Chutney

Comments

  1. NIce entries.. looks nice & good colour..

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  2. I normally make only coconut chutney .. I'd want to try the bell pepper one .. Lovely color

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  3. Looks at that ripples in Turnip chutney, love it. I make bell pepper chutney, great post!:)

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  4. I made bell pepper but the other is a must try for a change.

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  5. Lovely chutneys..Bright n vibrant picture..

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  6. Both the dishes are tempting they have an awesome color and simple and delectable...

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  7. Same here, all of us love the coconut chutney but gets made once a week.

    Love the color of both the chutneys. I have come to love the red bell pepper, it is a thing of joy. I don't much care for turnip in sambhar, this chutney is something to try though.

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  9. I love bell pepper chutneys...turnip chutney is very new to me...looks colorful and yummy. I should try it soon :)

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  10. i love turnips and the chutney is a brilliant idea. i've sown some turnip seeds this year.

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  11. Nice idea of using turnips for making chutney. Both the chutneys looks delicious and lovely pics as well.

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  12. I do bell pepper chutney, but never tried with turnip, looks amazing, will give a try!

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  13. love the colour of the chutneys... have never tried anything with turnip... maybe I can start with this chutney :)

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  14. looks too good and unique chutneys..

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  15. I've never thought to make a turnip chutney, but it certainly sounds good. And you bell pepper chutney is just gorgeous.

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  16. turnip chutney is new to me.. infact never tried anything with turnips :P

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  17. Wah..I am in love with Bell pepper chutney..Turnip one is new to me as well..:)

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  18. Those are some awesome looking chutneys laavanya..

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  19. both chutneys look so good and lovely Laavanya! YUM! :)

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  20. O this is the yummy chutney u were telg,when i posted that turnips kurma...Awesome...i ll try lavanya...

    and I tried ur tomato dosa two days and it came out so very well..Thanks Laavanya..

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  21. nice variation from usual coconut chutney. i have tasted this turnip chutney long back,when my mil experimented it after seeing mallika badrinath's cokkery show. red bell pepper chutney is absolutely new to me. pic awesome. will try this weekend.

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  22. Lovely chutney's...Never prepared anything with turnip so far...loved the colour of both the chutneys..yummy..

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  23. Havent heard of both the chutneys....turnip chutney looks gud!

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  24. Wow love the colour of both the chutneys, looks beautiful and delicious.

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  25. We only ever eat coconut chutney outside the house, at home it's various other ones.

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  26. Love both the chutneys.Parsnip chutney is a new one.Both chutney looks terrific..The clicks are wonderful!

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  27. lovely chutneys .. will try bell pepper chutney

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  28. love the red bell pepper chutney! the smoky flavor of the peppers is unbeatable :)

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  29. good ones..turnip chutney is something really new..

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  30. Turnip chutney is new to me...both the dishes look delicious...

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  31. Bell pepper is my favorite veggie, will try this chutney soon.

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  32. Coconut chutney is H's fav. He asks for it every single time I make dosas- such a pain sometimes! :)
    I make Indira's version of red bell pepper chutney all the time. The turnip chutney sounds interesting. I've never cooked with turnips before.

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  33. both are yummy!1 each one better than the other!

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  34. Love those chutney colors! Never heard of turnip chutney! You're right.. nice to have some chutney options that include veggies!

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  35. Lovely and delicious chutnies...

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  36. Awesome entries! Love the red bell pepper chutney for its colour:-)

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  37. the color on both the chutneys look great....coconut is my fav too...when i eat it wiht idlies..it usually seems i am eating chutney with idly and not vice-versa!

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  38. wow...the color of these chutnies is lovely...Loved the way you have presented them..kudos..

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  39. Both the chutneys look great. I have already tried Indira's red bell pepper chutney and it has become a regular one in our house now.
    Chilli parota looks lovely and I have bookmarked it.

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  40. Thank you all for your comments.

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