NELLIKAI THOKKU / AMLA THOKKU / GOOSEBERRY CHUTNEY

Nellikai thokku is a type of dry chutney prepared using gooseberry, red chilli, mustard and other spices. This nellikai thokku or chutney is a very easy recipe. This recipe can be served with idli dosai or mixed with steamed rice. This can be refrigerated and stored for 1or 2 days. 

Gooseberry provides remedies for a lot of diseases and is, thus, widely used in Ayurvedic treatments. Gooseberry is very rich in vitamin C and contains many minerals and vitamins like calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, and vitamin B complex. It is also a powerful antioxidant agent. Gooseberry contains chromium, which has a therapeutic value for diabetic patients. Indian gooseberry stimulates the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin, thereby reducing blood sugar in diabetic patients and keeping their body balanced and healthy

Ingredients : 

• 4-6 Nellikai /Gooseberry 
• 1 Tablespoon Urad Dal 
• 6-8 Dried red chilli 
• 5 Garlic 
• 8 Shallots 
• 1 Tomato Chopped 
• Salt for taste 
• 1 Tablespoon Gingelly oil 
• 1/2 Tablespoon Turmeric powder 
• 1 Tablespoon  Chilli Powder 

For Tempering : 

• 1 Tablespoon Gingelly oil 
• 1/2 Tablespoon Urad Dal 
• 1/4 tablespoon Mustard seeds 
• Curry Leaves 

To make Nellikai Thokku / Gooseberry chutney at home follow the detailed step by step recipe with photos posted below

Step By Step Picture Instructions : 

1. Temper urad dal in gingerly oil, and roast until golden brown 
   
2. Add dried red chilli and fry for a minutes 
   
3. Add shallots and garlic pods, roast for 2 minutes on medium flame 
   
4. Add deseeded nellikai 
   
5. Once everything is half done, add chopped tomatoes and fry till soft 
   
6. Remove from heat and allow it to cool down 
7. Then add the roasted items to a mixer and add salt 
   
8. Grind to a fine paste without adding water, and keep aside 
9. In the same pan, add gingerly oil 
   
10. Temper mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves 
11. Add chilli powder and turmeric powder, roast for few secs (Don't burn it) 
    
12. Add the grounded paste and mix well 
    
13. Cook on medium flame until oil separates 
14. Cool down and store it in an airtight container 

You can have this thokku with idli or dosai 

For nellikai sadam/ gooseberry rice, mix the thokku with steamed rice. Add salt required and gingerly oil, mix with your hands and serve.