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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Kairichi Chutney (Raw Mango Chutney) & FAHC

This recipe was supposed to be posted so long ago, but just got side tracked for some reason or the other. Things have been pretty busy at my side and I am finding it difficult to post as frequently as before. A poem that I learned in school has been in my thoughts these days and I thought that I should share it with you guys. I found it online here.

Leisure

WHAT is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare?—

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

---W.H. Davies

Coming back to the recipe, I know that the season for raw mango is over in India, but I spotted some in the Indian store last week and I decided to post this recipe anyways, hoping that at least some of you could try it out this year.
I never really fancied eating raw mangoes or 'Kairi', as we call it in Marathi, just like that. I think I just don't have a sour tooth ;) (if that term exists)! But I loved it when my mom transformed this tangy fruit into a delicious sweet & sour chutney. This chutney was a highlight of our summer meals and it goes perfectly with rice-dal, chapatis, or parathas. My mother-in-law also makes this chutney, a little differently, but equally delicious! She also
prefers to make it the traditional way, using a 'paata-varvanta' (stone mortar and pestle), so the texture of her chutney is chunkier, which can be achieved in the food processor. I am going to post both the versions, which are lip-smackingly delicious, and I hope that you will enjoy these as much as we do in our family.

Mom's Version :

Ingredients: (the proportions are approximate)
1/2 Kairi (Raw Mango---i used the other half for the other version)
2 tsp Grated Coconut (i use frozen coconut)
1/4 tsp Dried fenugreek seeds fried in oil
3-4 tbsp Jaggery (depends on how sour the mango is)
2-3 tsp Cayenne pepper
Salt to taste

For the phodni (tadka):
1 tbsp Oil
1/4 tsp Mohri (Mustard seeds)
1/4 tsp Jeera (Cumin seeds)
1/4 tsp Hing

Method:
Peel the kairi (raw mango), and remove the seed. Chop it into small chunks and throw these into the mixer along with the rest of the ingredients. Grind till you get a paste (do not use any water while grinding). Check for taste and adjust accordingly. The chutney should be sweet & sour to taste with a little spiciness from the cayenne pepper.Remove this chutney in a bowl. In a small kadhai, heat the oil, add the mustard and cumin seeds to it. Add the hing and then pour this phodni on the chutney. Mix it and voila your chutney is ready to savor.

Now, if you think, you liked this version, wait till you see the next one... :)

My Mother-in-law's version :

Ingredients: (proportions are approximate)
1/2 Kairi
2 tsp Roasted unsalted peanuts
3-4 tbsp Jaggery (as per the sourness of the kairi)
2-3 tsp Cayenne pepper
Salt to taste

Method:
Throw in all the ingredients listed above in the food processor and pulse them together. As above, do not use any water and unlike the previous version, leave it a little chunky. Check for taste and adjust. Remove the chutney in a bowl and pour some phodni (tadka) on top. Mix it and enjoy !

Note: This chutney stays good for almost 15-20 days in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can also freeze it, for up to 2 months.
(Picture source for 'Paata-Varvanta' : here)
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Before I sign off, I would like to remind everyone about FAHC started by V.K.N. of My Dhaba. It is a non-profit organization and their mission is to help feed hungry children one by one and to join the fight against global poverty. Read more about this here. The event will close on October 23rd. There is also a raffle arranged by Indira of Mahanandi for the benefit of this cause. Read about the details of the raffle and the prizes here.
My grandfather always believed that feeding the hungry was the most rewarding and noble act and I think the same way. So I am heading to contribute my share to the cause and I hope that you will join me too :) Please feel free to use the ChipIn Widget located on the right hand side of the page to make your contribution. Thank You.

32 comments:

Roopa said...

yummy chutney i amke slightly similar to first version learnt from my dharwad friends. it goes very well with dosas and iddllis too right :).
your MIL's one need to try with peanuts that sounds great too.

musical said...

Tee, both recipes are really yummy! I loved kairis as a lil' girl. and still love them in chutneys. and lovely poem from childhood times :).

Lakshmi said...

ummmm..yummm..is all I can say. Love kairi in all forms chutney, mango rice, mango gojju, etc....Your one looks very tasty too..

Jyothi said...

Both versions are yummy and might be very tasty. I love the pickles. Yours is very tempting. Thanks for sharing dear.

Sharmi said...

mouth watering mango chutney!! my cheek hurts:)

TBC said...

I like both recipes but I think I am leaning towards the one with coconut...it's probably the Keralite in me:-)

Suganya said...

That is one of my fav poems from school days. I know it by heart!

TheCooker said...

Both versions look positively yummy.
This poem along with 'Daffodils' are absolute favourites.

bha said...

Kairi is the only form of mango i truly appreciate and kairi chi chutney looks so delicious

bee said...

we don't get kairi here easily. but i have green tomatoes in my backyard. mehinks they'll work.

Lissie said...

hi tee, both chutneys sound delicious! i would like to try your mom's version.

Latha Narasimhan said...

Posting such a tasty pickle when mangoes are not available!:( That too mothers version mother in laws version! hmm

FH said...

Slurp!!! That;s my reaction!:D
Looks delicious Tee.

Swaruchy said...

Tee.....the chutney looks yummmy yumm.........I want to eat it with steamed rice now :-))

Richa said...

hey, that is one lovely poem, thanks for bringing back the memories :) hugs to ya!
both recipes look good, chhunda pan asach asto nahi ka?

Padma said...

Tee visiting your blog always reminds me of my time in Mumbai, kalyan, pune.. I feel so close to these places and its food. Kairichi chutyney looks awesome and mala pan havay!

Priyanka said...

Donhi recipes ekdum chatakedar ahet. But we also make a third version of the chutney with mint, green chilies, kothimbir and gul. tastes sweet and sour. Cualiflower-pepper in coconut gravy is new to me. Mi enroll hote ata Food blog desam var:)

Finla said...

Delicious looking chutney
Well thinking about it and seeing the pic i am drooling.

Laavanya said...

I love raw mango... wish I could find enough at reasonable prices to make everything possible with these beauties.

Swaroopa said...

I love raw mango chutney. wanna make it some time.

Sia said...

if only u had posted this recipe in summer tee... i loved both the recipes and next yr as soon as i get hold of sour mangoes i am gonna make this. thank u for sharing ur ma n ma in law's recipes:)

Shweta said...

What yummy chutney! Never manage to get my hands on nice raw mangoes here :( I tried your microwave besan laddus. I took them to a friend's house to celebrate her newborn baby boy. Everyone loved them! Thanks for sharing, you brought many sweet smiles :)

Mansi said...

wow, look at your contribution chart gorl!! you are gonna make so many kids happy!!! very very good work:) we are all proud of you tee!!

this chutney looks and bet tastes great yaar. My hubby still asks his mom to make raw mango chutney and pickle for him:)

btw, the next dish you try should have Peaches in it now and mail it to me the next day:)...it's high time!!

Anonymous said...

I love that poem. Thanks for reminding me of it. The English bloke would adore your chutney. I'll have to give it a try :)

Rina said...

I'm fan of any form of mangoes. So will cherish this chutney alot. Thanx for sharing.

Viji said...

Hi Tee, the Cauliflower and Capsicum in Coconut Gravy, the Egg shine and the two ways of Mango chutney are too good. Was busy and could not move round. Viji

Dhana said...

Kiti chhan!

Manasi said...

Mast chutney!! tondala paani sutla!!! I love kairi!!

SeeC said...

Poem - very very true.

Thats so sweet of you to post both the versions...both peanuts and coconut are equally good in taste.

I missed out the event. Will anyway try to learn about it.

Jui said...

Hi!I was up early this morning and realized Sankranti was coming around the corner. I searched the web for some teel-gul recipes and came across your blog. I loved it!
Would you have a successful recipe for Teel-Gul Vadyaa?? All I can find is ladoos.

Ketki said...

Hii..Tried the second version of this chutney..! Came out very well..! Thanks for sharing it..!!

asaa said...

thanks for the yummy recipe.
wow how come u remember the poem from school days.it brought me back my schooling time memories ,thanks!