Darjeeling Style Tomato-Chili Chutney (No oil)
Serves 4 (Pairing for 4 cabbage Momos or rice paper rolls
Ingredients
- 2–3 Medium Ripe Red Tomatoes
- 2 Mild Dry Red Chilies (e.g., Kashmiri or Byadgi for bright color and gentle heat)
- 1 Garlic Clove (peeled; keep to just 1 clove as garlic and dried chilies are both strong)
Salt, to taste
- A tiny splash of water (if needed while grinding)
Instructions
01
Choose Your Prep Method (Boiled or Flame-Roasted):
- Classic Boiled Method: ( we do this one at camp) In a small saucepan, simmer the chopped tomatoes and mild dry red chilies in water for 6–8 minutes until soft. Drain and cool.
- Smoky Roasted Option: Char the whole tomatoes and the garlic clove directly over an open flame (or in a dry pan) until the skin is blistered and blackened. Peel off the charred tomato skin and roast/soften the dry chilies briefly.
02
Cool & Prep:
- Allow the cooked or roasted tomatoes, chilies, and garlic to cool to room temperature.
03
Grind:
- Add the tomatoes, softened red chilies, garlic clove (raw if using the boiled method, or flame-roasted), and salt into a blender (mixie) or onto a traditional grinding stone (silbatta).
- Pulse briefly to blend into a coarse, rustic texture—do not grind into a smooth puree.
04
Serve
- Transfer to a small bowl and serve alongside your hot cabbage momos.
05
Pro-Tips for the Chutney
- Flame-Roasting for Extra Flavor: Roasting the tomatoes and garlic over an open flame removes the raw bite of the garlic and infuses a lovely deep, smoky depth into the chutney.
- Flame-Roasting for Extra Flavor: Roasting the tomatoes and garlic over an open flame removes the raw bite of the garlic and infuses a lovely deep, smoky depth into the chutney.
- Keep Garlic Subtle: Stick to just 1 garlic clove to ensure it compliments rather than overpowers the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Texture Matters: Aim for a coarse, thick texture rather than a fine paste—the rustic feel is what makes Darjeeling momo chutney authentic!
Nutritional Information (Total Batch)
- Calories: ~45 Calories
- Macros: approx. 1.5g Protein, 0.5g Fat, 9g Carbs
(Note: Adding this chutney to your momo dish adds minimal calories and zero fat, making it an ideal low-calorie condiment!)