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Garlic Chutney | Amma's Spicy South Indian Poondu Chutney

Amma's staple garlic chutney — spicy, bold and absolutely addictive! Made with 25-30 garlic cloves, small onions, urad dal, dried red chillies and a secret touch of jaggery that balances everything perfectly. Goes with dosa, idli, ragi dosa, chapathi, paniyaram and even rice! The chutney that makes any dosa disappear in minutes! 🧄🔥🤍
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine: SOUTH INDIAN
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tsp oil
  • 2 tsp urad dal
  • 8 dried red chillies
  • 25-30 garlic cloves
  • 20 small onions
  • A handful of curry leaves
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Small piece tamarind
  • 1 tsp jaggery
  • Little water for grinding

Equipment

  • pan
  • mixie

Method
 

  1. Heat oil in pan. Add urad dal and dried red chillies. Fry till urad dal is golden and chillies are crispy.
  2. Add garlic cloves, small onions, curry leaves and salt.
  3. Sauté until onions and garlic turn golden.
  4. Transfer to mixer jar.
  5. Add tamarind, jaggery and little water.
  6. Grind to smooth chutney.
  7. Serve with dosa, idli, chapathi or rice!

Notes

Use small onions — don't substitute with big onions!
25-30 garlic cloves is correct — that's what makes it a garlic chutney!
Fry urad dal and chillies well before adding garlic and onions.
Sauté till garlic and onions are properly golden — don't rush!
Jaggery is the secret — balances heat and sharpness perfectly!
Cool slightly before grinding for best colour.
Grind smooth with little water.
Stores in fridge for up to 3 days.
Goes with everything — dosa, idli, chapathi, rice! 😄