Chillies were originally from the West Indies and quickly spread to India, Asia and various parts of the world.
Chillies can be red, pale or bright green or orange and they can be of different shapes and sizes
Not all chillies are hot – generally the paler green and the bright green longer chillies are not usually hot
The small slender bright green chillies are medium hot but there again you can be deceived as a similar green or red coloured chilli which grows pointing to the sky is dynamite hot!!!!
Therefore the colour of chillies is no guide to the intensity of their flavour
This recipe has a combination of two varieties of chillies – the pale green chilli also known as banana chilli, which is mild and the medium hot slender green chilli as it can be easier on the stomach.
It is high in Vitamin A and C and adds a distinct flavour to the dishes!
This recipe, I am proud to say is a great contribution from my mother-in-law’s kitchen!!!
Ingredients
1-2 Banana Chilli OR
1-2 Long Green Chilli
8-10 Small Green Chillies
1 Tsp Fenugreek seeds
½ Inch of Asafoetida OR
½ Tsp of Asafoetida Powder
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Inch Tamarind or Tamarind Pulp
1 Inch Piece of Jaggery
For Seasoning
2 Tbs. Oil
1 Tsp. Mustard Seeds
Green Chilli Thokku
Preparation
In a small pan, dry roast the fenugreek seeds for a minute or so till it starts to splutter or you may use asafoetida powde
Heat a teaspoon of the oil in a pan, add the asafoetida and fry for 30 seconds
Cool and grind the fenugreek seeds and the asofoetida into a fine powder and keep aside
Heat one tablespoon of the oil in the pan
Add the mustard seeds
When it crackles, add all the green chillies and fry for a couple of minutes or more in a medium flame
Grind the above with the jaggery, tamarind and salt into a smooth paste
Heat the remainder of the oil in the pan
Add the ground chilli mix and fold it through the oil for less than a minute on a very low flame!(the thokku tends to harden quickly if left unattended or sauted as jaggery has been added)
The Green Chilli Thokku is ready to be served
Note: This thokku tastes delicious as an accompaniment for most snacks like dosa and adai ( I prefer to use a teaspoon of thokku as an accompaniment) in moderation!!
The amount of chillies and the varieties is to suit to individual families’ taste buds – The amount of jaggery used may also vary based on the punch you would like out of this exotic thokku!!