Devi's Delish
Red Tomato Chutney 🍅| My Authentic 5-Minute Recipe 🌶️
5-Minute Authentic Red Tomato Chutney
A vibrant, tangy & spicy South Indian accompaniment for dosa, idli & parathas
A vibrant, tangy, and spicy red tomato chutney that comes together in about 5 minutes — perfect with dosa, idli, or parathas. The secret is sautéing the aromatics before blending for authentic, restaurant-style depth.
Ingredients
Fresh Produce
- 2–3 large red tomatoes (halved)
- 1 medium onion (roughly chopped)
- 1-inch piece ginger (peeled)
- 4–5 cloves garlic
Spices & Pantry
- Dry red chillies (adjust to your spice level)
- 1–2 tsp tamarind pulp (for tanginess)
- Salt to taste
- Oil (for sautéing and tempering)
For the Tadka (Tempering)
- Mustard seeds
- Curry leaves
- A pinch of hing (asafoetida)
Instructions
- Prep the Vegetables. Roughly chop the onion, ginger, and garlic. Cut the fresh red tomatoes in half.
- Sauté the Base. Heat a little oil in a pan. Add the chopped onion, ginger, garlic, and dry red chillies. Sauté until the onions turn translucent and the raw smell of the ginger and garlic disappears.
- Char the Tomatoes. Add the halved tomatoes and cook until they soften and the skin starts to blister slightly — this brings out a deep, rich flavor.
- Blend to Perfection. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, transfer everything to a blender. Add the tamarind pulp and salt to taste, and blend to a smooth, thick consistency.
- Add the Tadka (optional but recommended). Heat a small amount of oil in a tadka pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter, then toss in the curry leaves and hing. Pour this aromatic tempering over the chutney.
- Serve. Your red tomato chutney is ready! Serve it fresh with hot dosas, fluffy idlis, or parathas.
Pro tip: Sautéing the garlic and ginger before blending is the secret to that authentic, restaurant-style depth of flavor.
Devi's Delish · devisdelish.com