Sweet~ Spicy Strawberry Chutney.

"Sweet~ Spicy Strawberry Chutney" ... Delicious fruity flavored chutney with balanced spice and sweetness of jaggery ... unlike jams that are only sweet, this one goes well served with toast, roti, parathas, poori, dosa and many more dishes ... remains good for over a week if stored properly in fridge ... Sure to be loved by young and old alike, so go for it ... Yummillicious ...

** Jams are something I prepare almost every year with available as I love relishing it applied on toast, biscuits, bread, roti, poori, while my favorite combo is with panpolo. Homemade jams taste great compared to store bought ones as I keep them slightly thinner textured. I bought strawberries to prepare jam but then I always wanted to try out the spicier version fruit chutney, so  finally did it with them now.

** It was a pleasant surprise when my fruit vendor brought strawberries in his push cart for sale that too in full load. Above all, it was reasonable priced too, so I bought them and tried out this chutney which is both sweet and spicy and is a pleasure to relish than the jam though at times that is great too. I will not run into any details about strawberries as this edible delicious tart fruit is known to one and all.

** But just one point I would like write again here that which I have done so before too, that this is the only fruit to the best of my knowledge that has its seeds on the outer skin. Those yellow small seeds you see on the dents are the strawberry seeds and every time I see it I really wonder at God’s creation of bringing life to all, be it veggies, humans, plant, animals etc. in a different yet beautiful way.

** Just mesmerizing isn’t it to see those beautiful butterflies, I mean just think how they move through from caterpillar stage to cocoon to flying insects. Life is so beautiful when you see it through the right lenses and not being bitter about each and everything. Try looking at it in different angles and only then will you realize and be amazed looking at the beauty of nature, running lakes, mountains etc.

** These delicious beautiful colored fruits, veggies are God’s gift to us and when they turn out perfect in cooking delicacies I always wonder if God had also planned for these outcomes for us to prepare, relish and live happily. They are always equally pleasing to both eyes and stomach and I considered human beings to be the most luckiest of all living creatures who are given this ability to create.

** Here is my own method of preparing "Sweet~ Spicy Strawberry Chutney” … my style, that can be applied on toast, bread slices, roti, parathas, dosas or just enjoy one spoon of it as it is too, tastes wonderful ….

** Wash, drain well, wipe dry about 1 kg of fresh, juicy, deep red colored strawberries. Remove the top step portion and cut them into small pieces taking care to see that you do not press them too hard while doing so, lest the juice snoozes out and if does put it in the bowl along with the cut pieces, it is needed too as we will not be adding in any water while preparing the chutney, so be careful while cutting.

** In a mixer grinder add in 2 pieces of 2 inch in size cinnamon (tike Sal/ dalchini), seeds of 2 green cardamoms without skin, 1 tsp of ajwain (bishop’s weed/ vonvo), 2 tsp of fennel seeds (badisep/ saunf), 1 tsp of roasted cumin seeds (jeera), 3-4 seeds of methi seeds (fenugreek)- Optional, you may leave it out too. Now using the pulse more just crush all to a coarse powder (not fine) and keep this ready aside.

** In thick bottomed kadai/ pan add in 2 tblsp of oil (tel), when hot lower the heat and add in 2 tblsp each of white and black sesame (Til/ Teelu) and fry for a few seconds. Now add in 2-3 tblsp of kashmiri red chilly powder (mirsange pitti/ mirchi powder) and fry for another second. Add in the strawberry pieces along with about 150-200 gms of grated/ powdered jaggery (goda/ gud) and mix well till well combined.

** Note : You can substitute Jaggery/ God/ Bella/ Gud with Sugar too and it tastes equally good. In fact most of the chutney recipes that I came across included sugar but I try my level best recently to replace jaggery wherever and whenever possible as they are healthier option being high in iron content unlike jaggery which is only calories devoid any nutritional values, so try adding jaggery if possible. 

** Cover and let cook till softened on medium to low heat stirring often. The strawberries have enough moisture which will be let out, so will the jaggery when it gets melted and the whole chutney will get thinner in texture, so cook till it thickens out a little bit, then add in 1 tsp of kala namak (rock salt or any salt), 2 tsp of grated ginger (alle’/ adrak), and the coarse powdered and kept powder and mix well.

** Do not add water at any stage the juice of the strawberry is enough for cooking, but do keep a keen eye on the same to avoid any mishaps. When it begins to thicken into thicker, add freshly squeezed juice of one large sized lemon, mix well and continue cooking till you get a applicable/ dropping consistency. Remove from fire and let cool, It thickens slightly more on cooling, so be prepared for it.

** Pour it into clean glassware bottle and store it in fridge and use as and when required. Remains good for a week if refrigerated properly. You can increase the spice level of the chutney as per your choice if need be, though this chutney taste best with balanced taste of sweetness, spiciness and tartness, so do not go overboard with it and add on later only if necessary after checking out the taste.

** "Sweet~ Spicy Strawberry Chutney” is done and ready to be served. You can serve it any way you desire by topping it on toast, bread, scones, biscuits, dosas, roti, parathas etc. I just relished a very spoon full of them as it is and it tasted simply awesome with all exploding tastes in one chutney and trust me it was simply blissful. Do try this one out soon as strawberries are still available and children are sure to love it.

** As mentioned above to on various steps, you may increase or decrease the quantity of both jaggery and chilly powder to suit your individual or family preferences. However, I found this to be perfect in all ways. Again addition of sesame/ til is also a matter of choice, but the crunch in it gives a lovely bite to the same and is also a very healthy ingredient. To add in ginger and fennel as it imparts a lovely flavor.

** In all definitely a better chutney to be relished with the flavorful taste of strawberries instead of the regular jam we prepare. The only hitch in this one is I am not really sure of shelf life as I had prepared only of one kg which turned out around into 250 gms of chutney and got over in a matter of 5 days. But my guess work is it should remain good for at least 10 days if stored properly in fridge.

** Many dishes can be prepared using this strawberry chutney as base or adding it along to other dishes too. I am soon going to try out a few provided I am able to buy them again, as I have exhausted the prepared chutney. I really hope I get some good strawberries soon, so keep watching this space for new recipes, and until then try this out, relish with family, friends and do give me feedback.