Crunchy Nut Chutney

A chunky, well-seasoned chutney to stir into sauces or soups, toss with noodles or rice, or serve alongside roasted vegetables, chicken, or meat. Peanuts and cashews are the most common choices, but any nut or seed will work here, as long as you taste and adjust the seasonings accordingly. Remember that nuts vary widely in flavor, so be prepared to add more salt or garlic or even a little brown sugar or oil if the mixture seems too bitter or dry

MAKES: About 1 cup

TIME: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 dried Thai or other small red chile, or to taste
• 1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts or cashews
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
• 1 clove garlic, peeled

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Toast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and dried red chile in a small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan frequently until the seeds slightly color, about 5 minutes. If using raw nuts, toast them in the same way.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the toasted seeds, chile, peanuts or cashews, salt, black pepper, and garlic. Process the mixture until coarsely ground, but not as smooth as peanut butter. If necessary, scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor.
3. Serve the chutney immediately or refrigerate it for up to a week. If refrigerated, bring it back to room temperature before serving.

VARIATIONS:

• Dried Fruit and Nut Chutney: Add 3/4 cup dried fruit, such as dates, apricots, raisins, cranberries, or cherries, to the other ingredients. Process the mixture for a coarse grind, not a purée.
• Real Garlicky Nut Chutney: Roughly chop the nuts and garlic (and coconut if using) by hand. In Step 2, add 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional), and a tablespoon or so of freshly squeezed lime juice.
• Walnut and Yogurt Chutney: Replace the peanuts or cashews with walnuts. Use a fresh green chile, like jalapeño or Thai, instead of the dried chile. Proceed with the recipe, and at the end, stir in 1/2 cup or more yogurt.

USES:

Crunchy Nut Chutney can be used in various ways:

• Stir it into sauces or soups to add a nutty and flavorful element.
• Toss it with noodles or rice for added crunch and taste.
• Serve it alongside roasted vegetables, chicken, or meat to enhance their flavors.
• Customize the chutney according to your taste preferences by adjusting the seasonings and adding different nuts or dried fruits.
• Enjoy it as a condiment or dip with your favorite snacks or appetizers.

Remember to adjust the seasonings according to your taste and feel free to experiment with different nuts, seeds, or spices to create your unique variation of this chutney.