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First, you have to prepare the two main ingredients of this chutney: garlic and dried red chillies.
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Take 100 gms of fresh garlic cloves and peel them totally.
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Peeling garlic is a very protracted process, but crushing or grinding the cloves lightly with the side of the knife saves much time; alternatively, you can also use a garlic peeler.
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Once peeled, put them aside and retain the garlic cloves.
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Next, take 50g of dried red chillies, remove the stems, and soak them in warm water for almost 30 minutes.
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That can make them soft enough to be grounded into a fine paste. Dried red chillies come in different sizes depending on the degree of spiciness one wishes for them.
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If you want a spicy red chutney with the right amount of hotness, you may use Kashmiri red chillies.
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If you prefer your chutney to have more heat, you can use standard dried red chillies.
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Now, after the soaking, reduce red chillies into a pulp.
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When the 30-minute soaking time passes off, squeeze out the water from the chillies and set it aside. It will prevent the chutney from becoming runny.
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Soak the red chilies, peel the garlic cloves, and mash together in a blender or food processor with one teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons vinegar.
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The vinegar gives it the savour and acts as an added preservative, making it used for a longer period. Grind into a smooth paste.
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If the paste is too thick, add a little water, but not too much, because it must be thick and concentrated like chutney.
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The chutney helps in bringing out the taste. This happens because of a reduction in harsh raw garlic flavours.
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Now, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Use any neutral oil, vegetable, or mustard oil.
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The mustard oil has a pungent flavour but would do very well with the garlic; add it if you want to. Now, when the oil is hot, add the ground garlic and the chilli paste to the pan.
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You have to be careful because the paste may splatter at first. Stir constantly as you prepare the paste for 10-15 minutes.
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This way, it will get rid of any raw smell of the garlic and imbue it with a deeper and more rich flavour of the chutney.
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When it begins to leave the sides of the pan and has a deep red colour, then your chutney is ready.
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It would have lost its raw, pungent smell and found to have a warm, savoury smell since the raw smokiness of the garlic has gone.
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Once the chutney is well cooked, take it out of the fire and let it cool completely.
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When keeping chutney, allow it to cool before transferring it to the jar and keeping it in a store. In this way, moisture will not accumulate in a sealable jar. That can ruin the quality of the chutney.
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Pack the cooled chutney into a clean, dry jar or airtight container. Sterilise the container so that no contamination occurs.
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Keep your chutney in the refrigerator; the vinegar and salt in it will act as natural preservatives that last for at least a month.
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Garlic Chutney can be used in so many ways.
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It can be served with Indian snacks, like samosas, pakoras, or dosa, for the spicy, tangy flavour.
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Spread it on roti, paratha, or even sandwiches to intensify the bold flavour. It is wonderful as an accompaniment to grilled meats, veggies, or rice dishes. For a tangy, spicy dip, mix it with yoghurt.
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This homemade recipe of garlic chutney is simple yet still so flavourful to add to any meal.
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The bold flavours of garlic, red chillies, and tangy vinegar in this chutney ensure that your favourite dishes will be spiced up at just the right moment.
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The best part is that it is easy to make and stores well so that you're sure to always have a batch ready for the fridge.