Dates and Raisin Chutney

Both Dates & Dry Grapes (Raisins) are healthy, but some may not like to eat dates directly. Searching for alternative ways to consume dates, I ended up with this recipe by Tarla Dalal.

Ingredients:

• Dates             : 1 cup
• Raisins           : 1/4 cup
• Tamarind       : 2 tbspn (juice)
• Brown Sugar : 1/4 cup
• Ginger           : 1/4 "
• Salt                : To taste
• Cumin Seed Powder: 1 tspn (Dry roast & powder)
• Black Pepper:   1/4 tsp (as desired spice)
• Red Chilli Powder: 1/4 tspn (as desired spice)
• Water              : 3/4 cup

Method:

• Soak the raisins for about 30 mts. 
• Remove the seeds of the dates. Soak them for 5-10 mts or cut them into pieces
• In a pan, add water. To it add tamarind juice, sugar, salt, black pepper, red chillie powder, cumin powder, and bring it to boil
• To this, add the dates, raisins, ginger and let it cook by boiling for 10-12 mts (the water will reduce)
• Remove from fire and allow it to cool (* Some prefer to eat it in this form)

• I had customized it further by grinding this entire mix in a jar and sieving it to make the red tangy/sweet/spicy chutney