Pudina Chutney / Mint chutney for Idly/Dosa

         Mint Chutney, Very Fresh and flavorful chutney and is one of my favorite too. This Suits very well with soft idlis, aapam, dosa, pongal, Paniyaram etc. I even love it with Lemon Rice n Curd Rice. This Mint chutney is different from the Green chutney which we use for chaat items, this is sauteed in oil and then blended to a smooth paste n lastly tempered, whereas the chaat chutney is made of fresh mint n cilantro leaves n no cooking involves. The recipe as follows...

Ingredients

1. Mint leaves    1 bunch (leaves alone - washed )
2. Onion     1 large (roughly chopped)
3. Green chillies   3 or 4 no.s(to taste)
4. Ginger    2" piece
5. Garlic    1 flake
6. Tamarind      1" piece
7. Coriander leaves       4-5 sprigs
8. Coconut        2-3 tbsp (shredded)
9. Chana dal      1 tbsp
10. Urad dal      1 and 1/2 tbsp
11. Salt       to taste
12. Oil      2 tsp

To temper

1. Oil       1/2 tsp
2. Mustard seeds      few
3. Urad dal      1/2 tsp 
4. Curry leaves      few

Method

• Heat oil in a wok/pan, add chana and urad dal fry till golden brown and add green chilies, ginger, garlic and stir well. 
• Then add chopped onions stir fry for a minute then tamarind piece and fry till onion turns translucent. 

• And lastly add mint leaves fry for few seconds n lastly add cilantro leaves n fry for a minute and turn of the stove. 

• Allow to cool completely and grind it along with coconut, salt and 1/2 cup water to a little coarse paste. 
• After that transfer to a bowl and keep aside. 

• Heat oil in a small pan and add the tempering ingredients and fry till urad dal turns light brown and add it to the grounded chutney. 
• Mix everything well and the Pudina/mint chutney is ready to serve with hot idlis.

Note:
Do not fry the mint leaves for long time ,it will give bitterness to the chutney.
If u want u add 1/4 tomato also.
Use Fresh Mint leaves alone.
Instead of green chilies u can also use dried Red chili.
Adding Tamarind is not optional its must, it enhances the taste.