07Oct
What Is the Red Sauce at Indian Restaurants? Here’s The Answer
If you’ve ever visited an Indian restaurant, especially in places like Tarneit, you’ve probably come across a delicious red sauce served with your favourite snacks like pakoras and samosas. Ever wondered what it is? Well, this sauce is not just any dip; it is a special preparation that has the ability to elevate the taste of any dish. As we all know, Indian cuisine is home to numerous spices and condiments that make every dish stand out. This diverse cuisine is also known for its unique regional delicacies that have a peculiar taste and cooking style. An essential part of this experience is the variety of chutneys or dips that accompany these dishes. Whether it’s the tangy and sweet tomato and tamarind chutney or the fiery garlic chutney, these dips are integral to the authentic Indian food experience. At Dosa Hut, the most recommended authentic Indian food restaurant in Tarneit, we serve a variety of red chutneys with our delicious appetisers.So, What Is the Red Sauce?
Most commonly, the red sauce you’re tasting at Indian restaurants is either Tamarind Chutney (commonly known as Imli Chutney) or Garlic Chutney. Both these chutneys are packed with flavours and add a punch to the overall taste profile of different dishes. Let’s break these down to get more clarity!- Tamarind Chutney or Imli Chutney This chutney has unique layers of taste ranging from sweet and tangy to slightly spicy. A perfect match for most Indian snacks!
- Spicy Garlic Chutney The bold and spicy taste of Garlic Chutney can instantly pump up even the blandest dish. The intense garlic notes coupled with a dash of tangy tomatoes and chillies make it a perfect dip.
Key Ingredients
Just like every other dish in Indian cuisine, even chutneys require a perfect balance of ingredients to bring out their best flavours. The magic lies in getting the right proportions of sweet, tangy, and spicy elements. Here is a breakdown of key ingredients used in the preparation of red chutneys:- Tamarind Chutney or Imli Chutney The main ingredients used to prepare this chutney include tamarind pulp, jaggery or sugar, and a blend of spices like cumin powder, chilli powder, and salt.
- Garlic Chutney The primary ingredient of this spicy chutney includes fresh cloves of garlic. The garlic cloves are paired with red chillies, freshly chopped tomatoes, and a delightful blend of spices. All of these are blended for a uniform consistency.
How Are These Red Chutneys Prepared?
To get the right balance of flavours, it is necessary to focus on the preparation techniques of these chutneys.- Tamarind Chutney Preparation To prepare tamarind chutney, you need to first boil tamarind with sugar/jaggery and spices. Once you get a thick sauce-like mixture, strain it to remove any solid bits. This will give you a tasty and velvety Tamarind Chutney that is full of flavours.
- Garlic Chutney Garlic chutney is made using soaked dried chillies, tomatoes, garlic cloves, and spices. Blend soaked red chillies, chopped tomatoes, and peeled garlic gloves along with salt. Blend these ingredients together and add water if necessary to achieve a uniform consistency. Once the mixture is ready, you need to add a pinch of sugar to balance the taste and a few drops of lemon juice!