Peanut Chutney

Last week I came across this article on my favorite self-help blog - Tiny Buddha on how as adults we get so engrossed in the race of life that things that once sounded beautiful to us no longer evokes us in the same feelings. So, I guess it is time to step back unlearn this way of life and bring in a change that makes life more beautiful. I keep saying I am a person who finds happiness in every small thing in life. But do I really? May be not! Yet, it is never too late. So I have pulled up my socks and have begun viewing life differently and enjoying the tidbits that comprises life.

And you know what! Life does seem more beautiful since the past three days incorporating just the below - 

1. Letting bygones be bygones.
2. Every single thing in your life has a reason! So live it up to brim.
3. Tomorrow has to come anyway, so quit worrying about it now!

Having said this - here is my recipe for the week Peanut Chutney straight out of my aunt's recipes! She always has this chutney bottled up and needless to say I always love eating spoonfuls right out of the bottle. It is perfect for week day breakfasts. Idli/Dosa and peanut chutney just perfect for tiffin boxes!

Here is the recipe - 

Ingredients

1. Peanuts - 1 kg
2. Garlic - 200 gm
3. Curry Leaf - 1 sprig
4. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
5. Asafoetida powder - 1/4 tsp
6. Chilly powder - 1 tbsp heaped
7. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
8. Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tsp
9. Oil - 1 tbsp
10. salt - to taste

Method

• Dry roast the peanuts until cooked and set aside. You could peel the peanuts if you want to or it works well if you did not peel it as well.
• Heat oil in a Kadai, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter.
• Add the fenugreek seeds, chopped garlic and the curry leaves. Saute till the raw smell goes.
• Sprinkle the asafoetida, chilly and turmeric powder and cook the masala. Toss in the groundnut and mix well.
• Let this cool and add the required salt.
• Grind the contents together till it coarsely done. I love to bite into bits of peanuts hence the coarse texture. You may grind it to fine powder as well.
• Can be stored in a dry container for more than a month.

You may also note - 

• DO NOT grind it for a long time as you may end up having peanut butter chutney:)
• Increase the spice level to your taste.