Maharashtrian Thecha (Spicy Green Chilli-Garlic Chutney)…spike and Spark!

Maharashtrian Thecha (Spicy Green Chilli-Garlic Chutney)…when you need something to spike your day! Like every other chutney, this too has several different versions – mine comes from my friend N…do play around with the quantities and ingredients to zero in on “The One” that will bring a smile to your face, “The One” you will look forward to seeing at every meal, “The One” you will stick around with for a lifetime…“The One” you can call the spark of your life!!J

Maharashtrian Thecha (Spicy Green Chilli-Garlic Chutney)  

Ingredients:

• Fresh Green Chillies, 4 large or 8 small
• Garlic Pods, peeled, 8
• Raw Peanuts, 1/8 cup (or de-skinned ready roasted peanuts)
• Oil, 1 tsp
• Salt, to taste

Optional Ingredients (refer to notes):

• Fresh Coriander, finely chopped, 1-2 tbsp
• Fresh Coconut, scraped or finely grated, 1-2 tbsp
• Cumin seeds, ½ tsp

Instructions:

Heat a non-stick pan on medium low heat. Add the peanuts and lightly dry roast till the color changes, while stirring continuously. Remove from heat, de-skin and keep aside.
Make a couple of slits in the chillies to avoid popping while roasting or cut them into 2-3 pieces each.
Heat ½ tsp oil in the same pan. Add the chilies to the pan and roast evenly till the skin blisters or chars slightly. Remove and let cool.
Heat the remaining ½ tsp oil to the pan and roast the garlic till you see black-brown spots on the garlic. Remove and let cool.
Once cooled, lightly pound the roasted green chillies and garlic together with the peanuts and some salt in a mortar and pestle to attain a coarse consistency (alternatively you can use ‘pulse’ function and grind it in mini food processor or a blender – just ensure the consistency remains coarse)
Thecha can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days in an air-tight container.
Traditionally eaten with Jawar Bhakris or Rotis, but also works very well with puri or parantha of any kind.

Notes:

• For a nut free version, feel free to skip peanuts and use coconut instead.

• The potency of the chillies here reduces after storing – hottest when eaten fresh.

• Choose the kind of chilies that work for you – hot, medium hot or mild. The roasted blistered skin adds enough flavor even if using mild chillies.

• If it turns out too spicy/hot, add coriander, coconut or lime juice to tone it down.

• If you want to add:

Coriander – add fresh finely chopped while grinding Coconut – add freshly grated while grinding Cumin – roast lightly with the garlic first and then grind with the rest of the ingredients