I've never bought any kind of chutney before this. In fact, if asked, I would have been able to give you only an extremely vague definition or description of what "chutney" was. I've probably eaten chutney as a condiment on something at an Indian restaurant a time or two, but I have no specific memory of it.
So my reasons for buying this were just that (1) it was on the new-products shelf, and (2) I attempt to buy virtually every new TJ's product, unless it's a food category that I don't ever eat or something I can be positive I won't like.
I had no idea what to do with the stuff. I tried it on a vegetable-patty burger, and it didn't work very well.
My next idea was better: a topping for fake chicken nuggets on a rice bed. I told Nina that this was what I'd be serving for her next dinner at my house. She came up with what proved to be the key contribution: add some lemon juice to make it into sort of a sweet-and-sour sauce.
I did, using a roughly two parts chutney to one part juice--and it was great! I seriously loved it. The mango comes through less specifically as mango and more as a general fruitiness. The ginger adds a definite bite and tingle, especially in a brief aftertaste. The lemon juice makes for a simultaneously contrasting pucker. There are some raisins scattered in the chutney for an interesting texture contrast. Overall, the combination perfectly tarted up the otherwise quite bland nuggets and rice.
Will I buy it again?
Definitely. It's a new favorite thing in my life.
I make an easy Chicken Curry using this chutney. For the curry, add 1 cup of milk, 1/3 cup TJ's Mango Chutney, 2 tsp. curry powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 3/4 tsp. tumeric, 2 T. TJ's Grainy mustard a pinch of salt & pepper, whisk together. Take 2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts or 4 thighs, add 2 T. oil to skillet on medium and brown. Add curry sauce, turn down to a simmer for about 20 minutes (check for fineness), and add chopped cilantro. Serve over rice. It's yummy!
ReplyDeleteBeen making this every 1 a week since reading this since early December of 2020, to literally today.
DeleteThe chutney isn't new... maybe a new packaging? It's definitely delicious! Great idea with the lemon juice addition. I like it with the frozen naan from TJs wrapped around one of the masala burger patties with some plain greek yogurt and the chutney.
ReplyDeleteThe chutney is also great with anything spicy hot since it balances that out with the sweetness
Ttrockwood
I've only recently developed a taste to liking ginger. It sounds like a good sauce to use when I stir fry.
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