TOMATO AND DATE CHUTNEY

A ‘biye bari’ or wedding feast favourite, this chutney delectably balances the sweetness of the dates and raisins with the sourness of tomatoes and tamarind.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Serves: 15 persons

3 kg tomatoes

500 gm dates

250 gm raisins

20 gm paanch phoron

4 kg sugar

200 ml tamarind pulp

4–5 dry red chillies

50 gm ginger paste

100 ml mustard oil

Salt to taste

1.

Finely slice the tomatoes, de-seed the dates and clean the raisins.

2.

Heat oil in a pan, add red chillies, and ginger paste. Sauté.

3.

Add the tomatoes and halp a tsp of salt. Cook till the tomato turns tender.

4.

Add dates and cook for 8 minutes.

5.

Add sugar and cook till the liquid thickens.

6.

Add the tamarind pulp and cook further.

7.

Add raisins, mix well for 3 minutes. Turn off the flame.

8.

Remove and serve cool.