[Recipe] Tomato garlic chutney

Damn, it was nearly 7.40pm and I hadnt cooked dinner yet.. Did a mental run through of all that I had and after a short debate I knew what I was going to make for dinner. I had decided to make Pongal for dinner. Wanted to make it with Saamai but noticed there were bugs in the unopened sealed packet [had bought two packets a few weeks ago, was done with one and now this second one was goner], dumped it and went with rice option. 

Phew, the main was decided, but what about the side? This is when I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge and stood staring at it as if an idea was going to spring at me. Kaboom.Well, it kinda actually did. 

Here is what I made,

Spicy Tomato Chutney:--

Tomato     2  roughly chopped
Dry Red Chillies    3
Garlic      4 cloves
Tamarind    a tiny piece
Salt     to taste
Water- 1 tsp just to get the blender going

For tempering:
Oil  1
tbsp
Mustard seeds      1/2 tsp
Urad dal    1 tsp
Jeera - 1 tsp
Hing      a pinch

In the blender, add all the ingredients and make into a thick puree. If needed, add the water.
In another pan, add the oil and do the tempering
Now add the puree to the tempering and allow it to cook well for a good 5-8mins till oil starts coming out on all sides.
It is now ready to be devoured..

Perfect for any plain rice, dosa, and was good with pongal as well.. Spicy and tangy, with strong garlic flavour..

Maya, unravelling the mystique of Nellore cuisine

Three tired and hungry friends went around Nungambakkam looking for a restaurant to have dinner in. We finally ended up at Maya, the newly opened restaurant on Khader Nawaz khan road, in the same building as the New Cascade Restaurant and United Colours of Benetton. It is in the basement!! 

The place is owned by Sandesh Reddy, the man behind Sandy's Chocolate Laboratory.... 

As we pushed open the glass door with Black prints on it, the dark stairway led to a brightly lit restaurant that was near empty... The place had a swanky plush ambiance, that started with the motifs on the door to the seating arrangement and the lighting as well. 

We chose a semi circular seating near the door that was made with concrete and comfortable silk seating upholstery. The decor continued on the menu card as well. On the walls were posters of the various spices used in our cooking. Simple and Chic were the 1st words that popped into our heads..

 As we sat immersed at the interesting menu, the waiter brought three small shot glasses , saying "complimentary drink of the day". It was almost like the rasam i make at home, except stronger. Was divine, and we went in for a 2nd helping. We were also served a small Banana-wheat dosa and a mini Pesarettu as well , once again "Complimentary".. 

A long tray then landed on our table with 5 mini dishes with some interesting looking powders and chutneys which was served with a tiny shot glass of Ghee..

Paruppu podi... Curry leaves powder..Gonkura Chutney..Ginger Chutney..finally Coconut Chutney...

 

Within minutes we had devoured the dosas and chutneys, which were lip smacking.. it was then time to order the main courses..

The menu Card, the center sheet has the main dishes and the date on top, which was interesting to note!!

We kept it simple and ordered dishes that would arrive fast...

Starters--  Baby Potato fry

Main course- Vegetable biryani + Raita

A Brinjal based side dish - full brinjals cooked with spices and peanuts

The Food was hot and simply delicious. Though these two dishes dint have Andhra flavour, the baby potatos were hot and spicy... We went in for a 2nd order of the Vegetable Biryani  and a Tender coconut payasam + ice cream. The waiter brought the ice cream in a cup and poured tender coconut milk on it. It was light, simple and quite tasty.... We were full and burped with pleasure!  :-)

The restaurant had a section that had a glass partition, ideal for a family gathering.. The Kitchen is open, and looked very neat and organized. 

Ambiance- 8/10

Food - 9/10

Alcohol- No

Menu-Veg & Non veg

Price- Rs1600 for 3 of us 

Elevator-Yes

Parking- If you are lucky, you might get a space in the building, else you can park across the road or somewhere down

Valet Parking- No

Overall Rating - 8/10

Address:  Platinum Building. 

New No 32 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, 

Nungambakkam. 

Chennai- 600006. 

Tel: 42137774 

Open from: 12.00 noon -3 .00 pm and 7.00-11 .00 pm