Chutney recipes with Finger Foods

Relish-like condiments akin to salsas, chutney recipes make lovely low-fat snacks to serve with other appetizers or finger foods such as samosas, pokoras, fish, chicken tikka, or even tortilla chips...

Chutney usually consist of a mix of chopped uncooked fruits (raw mango, apple, plum or other fruits), green chilies, herbs, spices, vinegar and sugar cooked into a chunky spread. Some of my simple and easy appetizers include chutneys like cilantro or mint chutney.

Mango chutney recipes are very popular in the subcontinent, especially in summer as mango is the popular summer fruit. Commonly prepared are hot mango chutney and sweet mango chutney ....

I remember visiting my grandmother in Pakistan during the summers and often watched her tenderly prepare delicious sweet mango chutney and pickles. I also remember secretly eating and stealing some of it with my cousins as we could never have enough of it!

Other popular chutney recipes include tamarind chutney , excellent to serve with gol gappa and pani puris, or used as a dip with flatbreads. Cilantro chutney is often used with finger foods such kabobs, chicken tikka, or potato cutlets.

Apple chutney is great with Indian flat bread appetizers like paratha and roti or with tandoori lamb cutlets.

My favorite chutney is plum chutney , also excellent with flat breads or Indian vegetarian snacks.

Did you know:

The word 'chutney' comes from original Hindi word 'chatni' meaning a 'strongly spiced paste'. It is definitely a tangy and spiced paste that makes you lick your lips, mouth, and tongue and wanting more! Not surprisingly, its root word 'chaat' means 'lick' and 'chatna' means 'to lick'.

How to make chutney

Most chutneys have a fruit as a base, coupled with herbs and spices. Often, vegetables can also be used use a base as in mint and cilantro chutneys. Common base ingredients are green mangoes, bananas, apples, peaches, nectarines, and apricots.

Once you learn the basics, it is easy to experiment with a variety of fruits and vegetables. The important part is that the base ingredient must be firm and under-ripe to bring about the proper texture and flavour.

Soft fruits, such as berries, are not good since they will cook into a smoother paste losing their flavor and texture.

Return from chutney recipes to social appetizers home page