Khattai chutney (dried green mango chutney)

Ingredients

• • 100g khattai

  • 1 tbsp oil

  • 2-3 cloves garlic

  • 10-15g piece of ginger

  • 1 sprig curry leaves, leaves picked

  • 1 tsp chilli powder, or to taste

  • Salt to taste

  • 1/2 cup sugar, or to taste

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds

  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds

  • 1 tsp garam masala (or 3 cardamon pods, 3 cloves and a 2-3 cm piece of cinnamon stick all ground to a powder)

Method

• 1. Rinse the khattai and soak in three cups of water until the mango pieces are re-hydrated (a couple of hours).

  2. Grind the ginger and garlic to a paste.

  3. Dry roast the cumin and fennel seeds and grind to a powder.

  4. Heat oil. Add the curry leaves, the ginger-garlic paste, chilli powder and salt and fry gently for a few minutes. Don't let it brown.

  5. Add the khattai together with the liquid it was soaked in.

  6. Bring to boil and simmer until the mango pieces are soft and the mixture is beginning to thicken, stirring periodically to ensure it's not sticking to the bottom.

  7. Add the sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

  8. Add the powdered spices.

  9. Taste and adjust seasoning (sugar, salt, chilli) if needed.

  10. Remove from heat.

  11. Keep refrigerated.

Tip: Always use a stainless steel pan when cooking acidic food s these foods react with metals such as aluminium and iron.