I have always enjoyed a sandwich or two from the street-side vendors at Egmore, Chennai. Their sandwiches are so tasty that is hard to stop at one. So what it is that makes their sandwiches tasty? Well, it is that spicy, tangy, nutty, minty chutney they spread on the bread slices. Except for the very obvious mint and coriander taste, it is hard to guess what goes into it. So, I decided to put my curiosity to rest and ask one of the vendors for the ingredients.
He very generously shared the details; and in turn, I am happy to share that recipe with you.
Note: The following recipe makes about 1 small cup full of chutney, which can be spread on about 8-10 slices of bread.
Ingredients
- Mint – ½ a bunch
- Coriander – ¼ of a bunch
- Peanuts – 2 tblspns
- Green chilli – 1 or 2
- Lemon juice – 1 tspn
- Salt – To taste
- Water – To grind
Directions
- In a blender or mixer grinder, grind the above-mentioned ingredients except lemon juice. Make a smooth paste.
- Transfer the contents into a cup and add the lemon juice and mix well.
- Spread on bread slices. Serve fresh.
Tips:
- Lemon is crucial in this chutney as it not only adds a tang to the chutney but also prevents the chutney from oxidising.
Add a few cloves of garlic to the chutney for flavour.
This chutney also doubles up as a dip for samosas, chips and other snacks.