Tomato mint chutney

INGREDIENTS

Tomatoes-4 cubed
Mint-5 strands
Garlic-5 nos cut into small pieces
Green chillies- 3 nos
Tamarind paste-1 tsp
Channa dal-1 tbsp
Mustard seeds-1 tsp
Split urad dal- 2 tsp
Curry leaves

PROCEDURE:

1. In a pan with little oil, add channa dal, garlic, tomatoes, green chillies and sautée till cooked. Now add the mint leaves , mix and turn off stove.
2. Now add tamarind paste and salt and mix. Allow to cool.
3. Grind the above into a smooth paste.
4. Season by adding oil, mustard seeds, urad dal, channa dal, asafoetida and curry leaves.
5. Mix with the ground paste. Serve with hot idlies, dosas, bajjis, puffs and anything you want.

Green Apple Pickle

I had this pickle at a friends party with some yogurt rice and man, I was in heaven. I was so wanting to have that pickle again that I decided to make it by myself.

INGREDIENTS:

Granny smith green apples- 3 nos, cut with the skin into small cubes
Red chillies- 8 or more depending on your spice
Cumin seeds- 1 tbsp appr
Fenugreek seeds- 1 tbsp appr
Asafoetida/Hing- 2 puffs
Sesame Oil- 4 tbsp
Mustard seeds- 2 tsp

PROCEDURE:

1.  Cut the green apples into small cubes with the skin on.
2. In a small pan, saute the fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds with some asafoetida without any oil. Once the raw smell is gone and the seeds turn golden brown, turn off the switch and add the red chillies. This helps the red chillies keep its red color. Allow the spices to cool and grind them well.
3. Mix the powder with the cut green apples.Add salt according to your taste.
4. Now in the same pan, add sesame oil and mustard seeds and allow to splutter. Add this to the pickle and you are done.