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.
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
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
Nutrition
Tina (PinayInTexas)
This looks like the perfect tomato chutney for me and the hubs! The amount of chilies is just right for us!
Yadsia @ShopCookMake
Beautiful photos! It had been a while since I came around here 😉
Deeps @ Naughty Curry
this sweet & spicy chutney is an all time fav in my house, i usually serve it with chapati & no matter how much i make its never enough! 🙂 lovely clicks
Divya @ FF
I love chaatnis, especially because of the contrast of sweet and spicy flavours. I love making tomato and mango chutneys at home, but never made the Bengali style chutney. Would be neat to try it out!
Ambika
This is one of my favorites too! I usually make the spicy version with garlic, but my friend made this for me once and I was hooked!! Lovely photos, the tomatoes look so juicy and perfectly ripe..
Priya
Very nice! I like the new look of ur blog, neat and pretty!
I see all ur recipes on the from the kitchen page but miss the tabs u had with various sections.
Tes
I love the new look of your blog 🙂 It's so cute 🙂
nisha
oooh that is certainly an interesting twist. i dont usually like sweet chutneys, but i think with tomatoes it would go absolutely well.
I wrote that article for a local food mag, will try and scan it in when the issue is out 🙂
Maureen
This is beautiful chutney. Might be a bit spicy for me but I'm going to try it. Thanks!
chinmayie @ love food eat
Love each and every photo in this post! Such vibrant red color... I am sure that chutney tastes yummy.
Nandita
The chutney looks so yummy and mouth watering. Fabulous presentation as usual 🙂
Spandana
Chutney looks very good with a nice color.. I never had sweet and spicy, I always make a savory one. I have to try this.
the Sublime Palate
Hi Kankana, Super pics, as usual:) My hubby is Bengali. He loves this Bengali Sweet & Spicy tomato chutney. I don't have a sweet tooth as such and the only reason for making this is for him. Your post was a reminder that I haven't made it in a long time! Will try this out tonight. I usually make a version of tomato chutney which is extraaa-hot. It's lying in the draft..hmm.. hope to get it out soon!
Rosa
That chutney is fabulous and I love the new look of your blog!
Cheers,
Rosa
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Beautiful and delicious tomato chutney, Kankana! I need to make it little less spicy version but I'd love to make this!
Stunningrecipes
Love the recipe but most of all, I honestly love your pictures. Great work!!!
Sneh | Cook Republic
I love "chaatni", yours looks so tangy and rich!
Grishma @ZaikaZabardast
Tomato chutney is so versatile! Love it with almost anything 🙂 Different way of using spices here 🙂
Sara{OneTribeGourmet}
Sweet & Spicy tomato chutney is my favorite and yours looks lip smacking good! I have bookmarked this recipe & I think it will be an excellent condiment for my grilled salmon!
Vijitha
Spicy goodness! I made a similar chutney with South Indian spices and cooked it with Salmon just like what I found in Suvir's cookbook. You must try that combo Kankana, pretty yum!