Sweet and Spicy Tomato Chutney

Bengali Tomato Chutney

This is a perfect sweet and spicy tomato chutney for rice and also, a great way to end the meal on a sweet note. The key ingredients are simple and very minimal.

Juicy Red Tomatoes – For the best taste and flavor of tomato chutney, choose seasonal red tomatoes. The tomato chutney recipe always calls for fresh tomatoes, and you cannot substitute it with canned tomatoes.

Black Mustard Seeds – You use a tiny amount of black mustard seeds in the hot oil to temper the oil.

Fennel Seeds and Fennel Powder – You use the whole seeds in the beginning of the cooking while tempering tAnd use the powder at the end for the perfumy aromatic flavor.

Dry Red Chili – The dry red chili is only for flavor. It will not make the chutney spicy.

Sugar or Jaggery – You have to add some sweetener to enhance the sweet factor of the tomato chutney. Sugar is most commonly used, but you could choose jaggery or honey. Do keep in mind that jaggery or honey will modify the overall taste of the chutney.

Fresh Green Chili – The spiciness of the Sweet and Spicy Tomato Chutney comes from the fresh green chili. I like to just add a couple of fresh green chilies right at the end of the cooking. It doesn’t add a lot of heat, but a mild heat flavor. Sometimes, I do slit the chili in half if I want it spicier.

Different version of Tomato Chutney

You can prepare Tomato chutney in various different ways.

A friend of mine makes a spicy tomato chutney recipe with garlic and curry leaves. It has a nice heat kick and goes really well with dosa or any variety of savory crêpe. 

Another variation that I enjoy is the roasted tomato chutney with coconut, which I feel work great even on a cheese platter.

Bengalis love to pair this tomato chutney with spicy mutton curry! 

One of the most common ways this chutney is served is alongside a spicy mutton curry or spicy chicken curry. The sweetness of the chutney helps to balance the heat of the curry.

While this version of the chutney is my favorite, my husband’s favorite is Tomato Date Chutney. You can find the recipe of the Tomato Date Chutney (Tomato Khejur Chaatni in Bengali) in my cookbook – Taste of Eastern India.

This is probably the easiest and fastest chutney preparation. I make it quite often, we all love it and I hope you will try it too.

DISCLAIMER:  This is an old post that I have updated with better photos and content.  

Here are few other chutney recipe:

Kacha Aam Er Chutney

Coriander Chutney And Tamarind Chutney

Grape Chutney on Baked Brie

Sweet and Spicy Tomato Chutney

Kankana Saxena

A Bengali meal often ends with a chutney, and we always prepare it with seasonal fruits and veggies. My all-time favorite has been this Bengali Tomato Chutney. You get the sweetness of the tomato and mild spiciness from whole fresh green chili. It typically served with rice, however some people like to enjoy it with crispy papadum.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Bengali

Calories 345 kcal

Ingredients

 

• 5 red tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons mustard oil
• 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
• 1 dry red chili
• salt as per taste
• 3 tablespoons sugar (you might need more depending on the sweetness of the tomatoes)
• ½ teaspoon fennel powder
• 2 fresh green chilies

Instructions

 

• Slice the tomatoes length wise into thin wedges.
• Place a heavy bottom at medium heat and pour the oil. Once the oil heats up, scatter the mustard seeds and dry red chili. Let the spice sizzle up for a few seconds and then, drop the tomato slices.
• Sprinkle salt and sugar. Give it a stir. Cover the pan and let it cook for 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened and almost cooked through.
• Pour 1 cup water season with salt and cook for 3 minutes. Drop the green chili and fennel powder, mix it around and taste for salt. Add more, if needed. Also, if you prefer the chutney to be sweeter, add more sugar.
• Let it simmer for 3 more minutes.
• Sprinkle a bit more fennel powder on top while serving.
• Enjoy it warm with rice or papadum

Notes

While this version of the chutney is my favorite, my husband’s favorite is Tomato Date Chutney. You can find the recipe of the Tomato Date Chutney (Tomato Khejur Chaatni in Bengali) in my cookbook – Taste of Eastern India

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingsCalories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 15gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 979mgFiber: 5gSugar: 22g

Keyword Bengali Tomato Chutney, condiments, tomato chutney