For every homemaker, using any available free time engaged in something meaningful is a major challenge. Unless you are Ms. Salomiya, who has it all figured out! An active housewife, she uses most of her free time trying or creating new dishes. And what’s more, her teacher in this pursuit is none other than her mother-in-law.

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Tomato Chutney, in various forms, is found in many homes. In this group of recipes, the Andhra-Style Tomato Spicy Chutney occupies a special place. This dish is notoriously spicy but also just as easy to make.

As she cuts the onions, Salomiya talks about the different chutneys and dishes she has learnt from her mother-in-law. “I was a pampered girl in my mother’s home, I never tried any cooking!” she laughs. That had to change once she got married. Thankfully, her mother-in-law gladly took on the role of her guide and today, she has become a confident cook. “Cooking is a very important way of gaining the love and affection of everyone,” she says.

As the conversation is flowing, the ingredients are being readied – chopped onions, red chilies, curry leaves, ground tomatoes, channa dal, and jeera. The cook suggests adding channa dal to the mix because that will help bring out a different flavour and feel.

has a lot of great information to share about different food items and their importance. “We must strike a good balance in the food we consume; one day, if you eat food which warms up your body, the next day, balance it with food which cools your body.” Another piece of advice – drink hot water to avoid infections in this season.

Meanwhile, the dish is ready, looks reddish and smells spicy. Salomiya adds one spoon ghee to it to give it that unique flavour. This dynamite chutney is now ready to be served

This dynamite chutney is now ready to be served!

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