Classic Coconut Chutney, South-Indian style

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Leena Kohli (@leenakohli)

Coconut chutney is a classic South Indian side dish that elevates any meal with its vibrant flavours and wholesome goodness. Made with fresh coconut, roasted lentils, tamarind, and a tempering of spices, this chutney pairs beautifully with breakfast staples like idli, dosa, uttapam, and upma, as well as snacks such...

Prep Time
15min
Cook Time
5min
Total Time
20min
Classic Coconut Chutney, South-Indian style  recipe

Ingredients

6 Servings
(1 serving = 1/4 cup)

For the Coconut Mix

  • 2cups
    fresh coconut (sliced or chopped)
  • 2tbsp
    roasted chana dal
  • 1tbsp
    chopped ginger
  • 2piece
    green chillies
  • 1piece
    lemon-sized ball of tamarind
  • 1cup
    yogurt
  • 1/2tbsp
    salt (adjust to taste)

For Tempering

  • 1tbsp
    oil
  • 1tsp
    black mustard seeds
  • 1/4tsp
    asafoetida (hing)
  • 1tsp
    toor dal
  • 1tsp
    urad dal
  • 1/4cup
    roasted peanuts (optional)
  • 2piece
    dry red chillies (broken)
  • 1sprig
    curry leaves

How to make Classic Coconut Chutney, South-Indian style

For the Coconut Mix

  1. Combine the fresh coconut, roasted chana dal, ginger, green chillies, tamarind, yogurt, and salt in a blender.

    Step 1.1: Combine the fresh coconut, roasted chana dal, ginger, green chillies, tamarind, yogurt, and salt in a blender
  2. Grind into a thick, semi-liquid consistency, adjusting with a splash of milk or water as needed.

  3. Transfer the blended mixture to a bowl and set aside.

    Step 1.1: Transfer the blended mixture to a bowl and set aside

For Tempering

  1. Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat.

  2. Add toor dal and urad dal, stirring until they turn golden brown.

  3. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter.

  4. Stir in asafoetida, broken dry red chillies, and curry leaves. Cook for a few seconds until fragrant.

    Step 2.1: Stir in asafoetida, broken dry red chillies, and curry leaves
  5. Pour the tempered mixture over the prepared coconut chutney and mix well.

    Step 2.1: Pour the tempered mixture over the prepared coconut chutney and mix well

For Serving

  1. Serve this flavourful chutney as a side dish with South Indian favourites like idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, or even as a dip for snacks and appetisers.

    Step 3.1: Serve this flavourful chutney as a side dish with South Indian favourites like idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, or even as a dip for snacks and appetisers

Tips & Tricks

  1. Have all tempering ingredients ready to avoid burning during cooking.

  2. For a thinner chutney, add more yogurt, water, or even a splash of milk while blending.

  3. Roasted peanuts add a layer of crunch and flavour to the chutney, but can be skipped if preferred.

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Leena Kohli

(@leenakohli)

Elevate your confidence through the magic of home cooking with my easy-to-follow recipes 👩‍🍳✨