@screwturn

Spikey Boots not Spicy Foods? If I spill some spicy stuff on my boots and have a sub lick it off, we can still be on topic!

Recipe for a very simple Mint Chutney.

Fresh Mint and Fresh Cilantro (with soft stems) in a 2:1 ratio (recommend 2 cups of loosely packed mint leaves and 1 cup of loosely packed cilantro)

2-3 tsp cumin seeds (halve it if using powder)

3-7 Thai green chillies (Traditionally, this is hari mirch which literally translates to green spice/chili. You can use different kinds like jwala, guntur, etc. Birds eye chili are called kanthari chili, and thai greens are typically called the kush eye or dhani lonka/lanka. If you prefer things more mild, you can use a red one like the kashmiri mirch a.k.a. lal mirch for something more along the spice levels of paprika)

1 tsp sugar (white, brown, jaggery, etc your call)

1 tsp sea salt (I prefer kosher salt for many things because of the taste)

1/4-1/3-1/2 cup lemon or lime juice for every three cups of herbs. (1/4 cup if also using an equal volume of yogurt else add more as needed). Note that lime juice is more "potent" than lemon juice

Optionally add some yogurt similar to lemon juice. This reduces the storage time it's good for, and technically turns this chutney into a raita but it's just semantics.

Optionally include a couple of garlic cloves. If using garlic, I recommend "soaking" the garlic in the lemon/lime juice first to reduce the pungentness.

Blend all of the above together. Adjust things as needed. It should be smooth and thick enough to hold at the edge of a spoon without liquid spilling over. The liquid should not separate from the chunks much either.

Store in an airtight container.

Extra tip via anecdote: The closest place I can get Desi spices is a good distance away so I don't go there much. I will buy peppers in bulk, and wash them. Then I will blend them into a puree and freeze it. Obviously, the best taste is when they are fresh, but I prefer something I froze if the alternative is to not have any at all.

#Recipe #Desi #MintChutney

@alice @TheGreatLlama @agturcz