Lemon Chutney Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2-3 lemons
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
- 1 teaspoon chana dal (split chickpeas)
- 2-3 dry red chilies
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- Curry leaves
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon jaggery or sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- Water
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Lemons:
- Wash the lemons thoroughly. Cut them into small pieces, removing the seeds. You can keep the peels on or remove them, depending on your preference.
2. Heat Oil:
- In a pan, heat oil over medium heat.
3. Tempering:
- Add mustard seeds to the hot oil. Allow them to splutter.
- Add urad dal, chana dal, and dry red chilies. Sauté until the dals turn golden brown.
4. Add Curry Leaves and Asafoetida:
- Add curry leaves and a pinch of asafoetida (hing) to the tempering. Sauté for a few seconds.
5. Add Lemon Pieces:
- Add the chopped lemon pieces to the pan. Mix well with the tempering.
6. Cook the Lemons:
- Cook the lemon pieces over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure they are evenly cooked.
7. Add Salt:
- Once the lemon pieces are partially cooked, add salt to taste. Mix well.
8. Optional: Add Jaggery or Sugar:
- If you prefer a sweet and tangy taste, you can add jaggery or sugar. Adjust the sweetness according to your preference.
9. Add Water:
- Add a little water to the pan to prevent the chutney from sticking to the bottom. The water will also help in cooking the lemons thoroughly.
10. Simmer:
- Let the lemon chutney simmer until the lemon pieces are completely cooked and the flavors meld together. This may take about 10-15 minutes.
11. Adjust Consistency:
- If the chutney is too thick, you can add more water to achieve the desired consistency.
12. Cool and Serve:
- Once the lemon chutney is cooked, let it cool to room temperature before serving.
13. Enjoy:
- Serve the lemon chutney as a flavorful and tangy accompaniment to rice, dosa, idli, or any meal of your choice.
This lemon chutney is a delightful blend of tanginess and spices, making it a perfect condiment to enhance the flavor of your meals. Adjust the spice levels and sweetness according to your taste preferences.