By Dr Sirisha potluri
Carrots and tomatoes are great for skin health because of their abundant carotenoids and lycopene .they not only help with skin glow ,but also help in preventing DNA damage from sun exposure
Ingredients:.
5-6 medium sized carrots .
3-4 ripe tomatoes .
3-4 pitted dates.
5-6 garlic cloves.
6-8 dry red chilies.
1/4th tea spoon of methi seeds ( fenugreek).
1 teaspoon of coriander seeds ( cilantro).
Tamarind strands 1-2 .
Spices ( cumin seeds , turmeric, hing).
1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and 1-2 teaspoons of dry roasted peanuts.( optional, can be done with out these too) .(fresh coconut pieces can be used too)
Cilantro ( for garnishing and little bit to put in the chutney too)
Procedure:
Peel the carrots and cut them into small pieces, dice tomatoes too , peel garlic cloves. In a thick bottom pan add carrots , tomatoes, 2-3 peeled garlic cloves , dates , little bit turmeric , tamarind. Let everything cook on a slow flame for 6-8 minutes.
Dry roast red chili, fenugreek seeds and cilantro seeds until aroma is released and once they are cooled blend them in a coffee grinder into a coarse powder .
Now add this above powder to the carrot and tomato and mix everything and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Now add 1-2 cups of cilantro and mix everything and off the stove and let the mixture cool off.
In a blender add sesame seeds , peanuts , cumin seeds , rest of the garlic cloves and blend into a coarse mixture. To this add the cooled off carrot and tomato mixture and blend into chutney consistency. Add salt according to taste.
We can do dry Thadkha ( dry roast mustard seeds and urad dal and some dry red chili , curry leaves and hing ( asafetida) on the chutney and garnish with cilantro. Tastes great as a spread or dip on your breads , Dosa , idli or can be eaten with quinoa or brown rice.