Tangy Coconut Spreads

One of the most discussed natural foods among health buffs and the laboratories worldwide for its dubious role in the food chart is Coconut. 
Where tender coconut is the healthiest natural drink available to us, ripe coconut goes under the sharp blades of modern research. The saturated fats present in the coconut are the point of content. 
I normally do not use much of coconut in my cooking, as it is not a very popular food ingredient used in our Rajasthani cuisine. But I often make coconut chutneys and add numerous variations to add variety to the recipe.

This Tangy Coconut Spread is the most basic and simple spread with very few ingredients to go in it.
Ginger and garlic in this recipe is the outcome of my Bangalore visit., where I got to learn some Mangalorean cuisine from my friend. I liked the taste of ginger in the coconut chutney which my friend prepared, it gave an extra zing to the otherwise bland chutney.
Ingredients;

• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1 green chilly
• 1" inch ginger piece
• 1 tbsp roasted Channa Dal (Bengal gram)
• A pinch of asafoetida
• A small marble size tamarind
• salt as desired
• 1 tbsp water

For seasoning: 

• 1 tsp oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp De husked black gram
• 1 clove of garlic (optional)

Method: Grate coconut and keep it aside. Assemble all the ingredients, chilly, ginger, roasted Channa Dal, tamarind and grind it in a mixer. Use very little water initially to make the grinding fine.Add water and make the consistency as desired.
Take a small seasoning vessel and heat oil in it. Add mustard and let it crackle, add De-husked black gram Dal (urad) and 1 clove of garlic (optional) in it and let it become brown in color. Take off the flames and add asafoetida in it. Pour this seasoning over the coconut spread.

Mint and Coriander Coconut Spread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1 green chilly 
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves
• 1 tbsp. mint leaves
  
• A pinch of asafoetida
• salt as desired
• 1 tbsp water

For seasoning: 

• 1 tsp oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp De husked black gram

Method: This spread is quite healthy with all the benefits of greens in it. Pluck the coriander and mint leaves and wash it with clear water. Assemble all ingredients and grind them into a smooth paste.
Season this spread by heating oil and crackling mustard and De husked black gram in it. Pour over the spread.

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Tangy coconut spread with ginger, garlic, mint and coriander twist is ready to serve with snacks of your choice.


Try fresh coriander spread if you want to avoid coconut in your diet. Stay connected, take care.