
Til ki Chutney
A robust, nutty chutney balanced by sharp tamarind, fiery green chillies, and sweet raw onion. It has a rich, ground texture and is best enjoyed freshly made.
Sesame seeds for toasting
0 gFried or toasted in the pan (step 1)Garlic for the chutney
15 gAdded to the blender (step 2)Everything else
Method
- Warm 13.5–27 g vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium heat, add the sesame seeds for toasting, and stir-fry for roughly 1 minute until lightly coloured, then scoop them out (alternatively, dry-toast them without oil for about 2 minutes). Fry 3 tablespoons peanuts in the same pan for 1 to 2 minutes until golden.
- Transfer the toasted seeds and peanuts into a blender jar. Add the garlic for the chutney, 36–48 g green chilli, 300 g onion, 7.9 g coriander leaf, 125 g tamarind extract, and salt to taste. Grind everything together until well combined and smooth. Consume on the day it is prepared.
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Sesame seed

White sesame seedUse the same weight. Toast lightly before use; white seeds are milder and give a cleaner look.
Black sesame seedUse the same weight. They are stronger and more bitter; toast briefly and use slightly less if the dish is delicate.
PeanutUse the same weight, crushed or chopped. It gives crunch but not the same nutty sesame aroma.

Peanut

Roasted peanutUse the same weight; adjust salt if they are already salted, and crush or grind as the recipe asks.
Cashew nutUse the same weight; they are richer and softer, so roast for a shorter time and reduce added fat.
AlmondUse the same weight; blanch and peel for sauces, or chop for texture. They are firmer and less oily.

Vegetable oil

Peanut oilUse 1:1 by weight. Handles high-heat frying identically and introduces a very subtle, pleasant nuttiness.
GheeUse 1:1 by weight. Yields a much richer, authentic aroma and a glossy, heavier mouthfeel.
Mustard oilUse 1:1 by weight. Heat until smoking, then cool slightly before cooking to temper its intensely pungent, sharp mustard kick.

Green chilli

Chilli powderUse 10 to 15% of the weight (about 1/4 teaspoon per chilli); imparts dry pungent heat and reddens the dish without the grassy crunch.
Dried red chilliUse 1 dried pod per fresh green chilli; snap in half and temper in hot oil for a deeper, toastier heat.

Ground garlic

Garlic powderUse equal weight (1:1). Behaves virtually identically, dissolving seamlessly into dry rubs or wet gravies.
Garlic pasteUse 300% to 400% of the weight (e.g. 3–4 g paste for 1 g ground). Sauté in oil to cook off the raw moisture; imparts a fresher, sharper punch.
GarlicFinely mince or grate fresh cloves; use 300% to 400% of the weight. Fry gently in oil early in the cooking process to mellow the pungency.

Onion


Coriander leaf


Tamarind extract

TamarindUse 180% of the weight of compressed tamarind; soak in three times its weight of boiling water for 15 minutes, knead, and strain out the thick pulp.
Dried mango powderUse 35% of the weight dissolved in two tablespoons of warm water. Provides sharp tang, though the resulting sauce will be lighter in colour.
Lemon juiceUse equal weight, added right at the end of cooking. Adds sharp acidity without the deep brown hue or pulpy thickness.
Similar dishes

- Same: Both dishes rely on sesame seeds and a high proportion of onions to build their flavour base.
- Different: Dohneiiong is a cooked meat curry made by simmering pork in its own rendered fat with turmeric, lacking the vegetable oil, garlic, green chillies, fresh coriander, and tamarind extract of this ground chutney.

- Same: Sesame Raita shares sesame and garlic with this dish.
- Different: Sesame Raita uses Greek yoghurt, tahini paste, garlic paste, caster sugar and sea salt, while this dish uses sesame seeds, peanuts, vegetable oil, green chilli, ground garlic, onion, coriander leaf and tamarind extract.

- Same: Elderflower & Rhubarb Kulfi with Sesame Brittle shares sesame seed with this dish.
- Different: Elderflower & Rhubarb Kulfi with Sesame Brittle is a frozen dairy dessert made with rhubarb, elderflower cordial, evaporated milk, condensed milk, double cream, lemon juice, and sugar, while this dish is a ground chutney with peanut, vegetable oil, green chilli, garlic, onion, coriander leaf, tamarind extract, and salt.

- Same: Vendakkai Nouvala Pod also relies on sesame seeds for rich nuttiness, tamarind for sourness, and vegetable oil for cooking.
- Different: Vendakkai Nouvala Pod is a dry okra stir-fry tempered with mustard seeds, cumin, urad dal, turmeric, and curry leaves, whereas this dish is a ground chutney packed with raw onion, garlic, and fresh coriander.




















