A spoonful of chutney/ sauce can add irresistible flavours to it. In India, fresh homemade piquant chutneys are one of the essential companions of every meal as well as snacks. No one would imagine eating samosas, fritters, momos or chaats without a sweet, sour and spicy chutney. There would be hundreds of varieties and preparations; whether it is the mint chutney of North, coconut/ peanut chutney of the South or the tomato or mango chutney of the East, all of these are equally unique in taste. Here is an adaption of the tomato chutney of the Northeast and West Bengal region with a twist of some fresh strawberries. It is a melange of bountiful flavours that instantly enlivens the mood and food with its vivid umami note.

Ingredients:

Tomatoes: 2 (medium size, diced)

Strawberries: 8-10 (diced)

Dry red chilli: 1-2 (deseeded and cut)

Dates: 2-3 (chopped)

Bay leaf: 1-2

Whole panch phoran*: Half teaspoon

Ground panch phoran*: One teaspoon

Jaggery powder: 2-3 tablespoons

Salt: As per taste

Cooking oil: One tablespoon

*Panch phoran is also called the Indian Five Spice mix, a combination of cumin seeds, nigella seeds, fenugreek seeds, black mustard seeds, and fennel seeds. 

Preparation: 15 to 30 minutes, serves 4 persons.

Step 1: Heat a pan and add cooking oil. Once the oil is hot enough add bay leaf, dry red chilli and whole panch phoran. Let it splutter. Now add the diced tomatoes and strawberries together and saute them for a minute. Sprinkle a pinch of salt to release the moisture and keep them smashing with the bottom of the spatula.

Step 2: Add jaggery powder and the required amount of salt once the tomatoes and strawberries are tender. Saute it for a minute and then add half a cup of water. Add chopped dates and cover the lid. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until you get a thick saucy consistency. To finish it off sprinkle a couple of pinches of ground panch phoran over it, mix it gently and turn the gas off.

Try this sweet and tangy tomato and strawberry chutney with flatbread, paratha, rice as a side dish or use it as a sauce for your burger, tacos, sandwiches, samosa or fritters to add an extra flavour to your food.