Assamese cuisine is renowned for its vibrant flavors and unique combinations of spices. One such delightful dish is an Assamese BILAHI OMBOL or BILAHI TOK, a tangy and sweet tomato chutney infused with traditional Assamese spices and jaggery. This chutney perfectly balances the heat of red and green chillies with the sweetness of ripe tomatoes and jaggery, making it a versatile accompaniment for various meals. Let’s dive into the recipe and bring a taste of Assam to your table!
Preparation time – 30 minutes
Cook time – 40 minutes
Serves – 4
Ingredients
- 500g ripe tomatoes
- 3 tbsp mustard oil
- 2 cardamom pods
- 3-4 dried red chillies
- 3-4 slit green chillies
- 1 tsp panchphoran (Assamese Spice Mix)
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 3/4 cup jaggery
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
Directions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Clean the tomatoes thoroughly and cut them into medium-sized chunks.
- Temper Spices: Heat mustard oil in a kadhai or deep pan over medium heat. Add dried red chillies, cardamom pods, slit green chillies, and panchphoran. Let them sizzle for a few seconds to release their flavors.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan. Stir well to coat them with the spices and oil. Cook for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften and release their juices.
- Add Cashews and Raisins: Once the tomatoes begin to melt, add cashews and raisins to the pan. Mix them gently with the tomatoes.
- Seasoning: Season the mixture with salt and turmeric powder. Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Cooking with Jaggery: When the tomatoes are completely soft and excess water has evaporated, add the jaggery to the pan. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure the jaggery blends well with the tomatoes and spices.
- Simmer: Cover the pan and let the chutney simmer on low heat for another 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the chutney to achieve a rich, dark color.
- Final Touch: Uncover the pan and give the chutney a final stir. Check for seasoning and adjust if needed.
- Serve: Your delicious Assamese BILAHI OMBOL/BILAHI TOK is ready to be enjoyed! Serve it hot with rotis, pooris, or alongside steaming khichdi for a delightful meal.
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