GARLIC CHUTNEY

        Garlic chutney... I just love this stuff..  is my all time favorite and goes well with any kind of bread or pancake. There are many versions of the same, but this one is simply irresistible. The chutney is prepared using garlic, tomato and red chillies as the main ingredient. The tomatoes are literally burnt in naked fire, peeled and then blended with sauteed garlic and red chillies.

But then, burning tomatoes is just not possible over coil stove tops and induction stove tops, so here the recipe is subjected to sauteing...
     
INGREDIENTS
Garlic (whole) - 2 heads
Tomato (large) - 1 no.
Red dry chillies - 3 to 4 (or as per taste)
Oil (preferably sesame oil) - 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon
Mustard - 1/2 teaspoon
Urad dal - 1/2 teaspoon
Curry leaves (finely chopped) - 2 sprigs
Salt - as required

METHOD
1.  Peel the garlic. Don't frown... I have a easy method for the same. Just break the garlic head into pods, put them in a glass jar with a lid and shake vigorously at an angle of 45 for a minute... and presto!!! they are all peeled!!!
2. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok and saute the garlic till the aroma fills in your kitchen. The outer covering should wither. Take off the garlic in a plate leaving the oil behind.
3. In the same oil, throw in a whole tomato (don't cut the tomato), and saute till the skin starts to peel off. Try to cover and saute since the liquid from tomato may sputter and fall over your face. Transfer to a plate.
4. Saute red chillies in the same oil till crisp and switch off the stove. Allow the things to cool down. Blend them down in a mixie jar with salt and transfer it to serving bowl.
5. Temper with mustard, urad dal and curry leaves to finish off. The lip smacking chutney  is ready.

TIPS
1. The tomato can be burnt directly in naked flame. This gives in a great flavour.
2. A few curry leaves can be added while grinding the chutney. This has to be done during the last grind, since too much of grinding spoils the flavour, but the last minute grind is sure to give a yum taste.

Quick facts about garlic (source: internet):

•  Apart from being a tasty herb, it is a medical boon known for preventing colon, rectal, stomach, breast, prostate, lung and bladder cancer. 
• It is also good for heart and blood system.
• It is rich in manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, Copper, Selenium and phosphorous.
• It is also known to kill poisonous bacteria like E coli and salmonella.
• Fresh garlic contains allicin, which provides immunity.