Green Chutney & A Behind The Scene Glimpse Into My Indian Cooking Classes

As many of you know I kicked off my Indian cooking classes series at Living Social 918 F Street in DC this week. With a successful dry run this past Monday and my first class today, Thursday, we are off to a good start.

I can't tell you enough how much do I love and appreciate the hardworking staff that does all the set up. They orchestrate and oversee all the fine details. It's incredible to work with such a young, vibrant and a professional crew. I feel so fortunate.
Today we had a mix of some who were experienced with Indian cooking at home and some who had experience eating out mostly. The sweetest discovery was at the end of the evening, when I found out it was one of my student's birthday. Coming to my class was his girlfriend's surprise gift to him. We didn't have a cake for him, had I known I would have gotten something, but we did sing a Happy Birthday to him.
Green Chutney

Ingredients:
1 large bunch of cilantro, rough bottom stems snipped about 1/3 way up (approx . 2 1/2 packed cups)
20 large mint leaves, no stems
1 medium head of garlic (approx 10-12 garlic cloves)
1 jalapeno or green chilli (can use seeded or only half)
Juice of half a lemon
1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup water
1-2 tablespoons coconut (optional)

Put all ingredients in a food processor or a blender and whiz until smooth thick liquid consistency is achieved/ Refrigerate if not serving immediately.

You can serve this chutney as a condiment or add a cup of regular or low fat yogurt and use it as a marinade for fish. If you are cubing and skewers, use a firm fish like salmon. Can can broil or grill. Alternatively you could add regular or lite coconut milk instead of yogurt.

45 comments:

  1. That is awesome! Congratulations.

    Your chutney looks and sounds amazing.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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    1. TY Rosa. For those who do not like it too spicy they can cut down on the garlic and use just a touch of jalapeno no seeds.

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  2. I did not doubt for a second that your classes would be successful! Judging by the photos, you taught your students how to prepare some delicious and good-looking food:)
    I love this recipe and cannot wait to make it, as I usually have almost all the ingredients on hand:)

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    1. Thx for your vote of confidence Lana. Means a lot. See notes at the end of the recipe and in my comment above if you wish for a milder version. & yay sounds like you stock as I do. I always have cilantro and mint! :)

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  3. I would love to attend this class, Shullie!!

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    1. Oh how I wish to meet you Anh. It would have been mind blowing to have a talented person such as you in my class.

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  4. would taste awesome with any savoury food =)
    xoxo

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  5. The chutney looks perfect Shulie. We usually add a few roasted peanuts too that gives it a great texture.

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    1. TY so much girlie! It's so interesting Anh. I will try it in my next batch. growing up my mom never did but now am curious I will ask her.:)

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  6. What a wonderful experience for the innaugural class. Congratulations!

    This chutney is such a brilliant color and the idea of using it as a marinade makes my mouth happy!

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    1. TY Maureen for your heartfelt support! It can be a tad spicy but check post and my replies for suggestions to tame it.

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  7. Congratulations on your cooking class debut! Come out my way to teach a class one day so I can attend!

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    1. TY Sylvie. I would love to teach a class in Southern CA. Only thing now is to find a sponsor and someone to arrange a class. Would be awesome to have you!!:)

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  8. Any chance you will be teaching in NYC ??? I want to cook with you!

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    1. That would be awesome. I am open to come to NYC to cook with you. Would you like to arrange it? :)

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  9. So glad to hear your cooking classes are going well - what fun!

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  10. good to know you're cooking class went well :D i make it almost the same, i use green chilli instead of jalapeno. dont use coconut. i like it with yogurt too for a change..
    gorgeous green always makes me smile ;-)

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    1. Yay! Thx for your seal of approval! :) I do too alternate between green chili and jalapeno. Spmetimes I find the green chili here has a bitter edge. Also many in US are more familiar with jalapeno. I like its smokiness and heat. With that being said def. traditionally it would be made with green chilli! :) Good to have your comment so people know of the alternatives.

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  11. I would have loved to attend your class, Shulie, congrats again. :) This green chutney is so vibrant-I bet it tastes as good as it looks. :)

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    1. Thx Jean and that would have been lovely. Funny thing the chutney looks exactly as in the photos.:P

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  12. Congratulations, Shulie! I wish I could take your class! I never plant enough cilantro. I should start a cilantro hedge/border!

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    1. Oh I can just imagine the cilantro hedge Annapet. TY so much for all your support!

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  13. I love the green of your chutney! I'm always on the lookout for the perfect coriander-mint chutney recipe, so I'll have to try this one. Lucky you to be teaching an Indian cooking class...must be lots of fun!

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    1. Yes this is pretty much the same chutney my mom makes minus 2-3 green chillies. Yep so far so good, enjoying it.

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  14. Wonderful photos! ;)

    "Happy Cooking"

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  15. What a vibrant green color! It screams spring. How wonderful that your classes started off a success. I think that is a sweet surprise that one student got the gift of your class as a gift. Too bad you aren't a little closer so I can come to your session and learn something delicious from you;)

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    1. TY Lora. I know, right?! Good thing I discovered it at the end of my class not at the beginning. Could you imagine the pressure?! :) Would be fantastic to have you. Would be a blast!

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  16. I am dying to take an Indian cooking class... what I would do to have you teach me how to prepare all of these marvelous dishes. So great you've been given this much deserved opportunity. I'm sure they all had a blast.

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    1. Heehee TY Brian. Can you imagine you in my class?! It would be an all time most fun class. I would love to teach you. Maybe when I am up in MA once or help me find a space to teach there? Let's talk! :)

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  17. Cooking classes sound like so much fun! I am sure you are a great teacher!

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    1. TY so much Chimnayie. :) I try. Got to read the audience.:)

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  18. Congratulations Shulie, sounds like an amazing class :) And this chutney sounds so delightful!

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    1. TY so much! :) I think it can be still authentic but has to be tones down for western palettes. Less garlic and chilli otherwise it comes our too spicy.

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  19. Hello Shulie,

    What wonderful feedback! I can't thank you enough for joining us and being part of the 918F experience. It's a pleasure to work with a professional like yourself. We're also thrilled to read your kind words about our Event Coordinators that assist each class. They're a great group of professionals and we consider them crucial to our success. Thanks again and we'll see you Thursday!

    Rob
    General Manager 918 F Street

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    1. Hello Rob, TY. So nice of you to drop by. Pop in this Tuesday and say hi when I am over to teach the class this coming week. Of course such a pleasure to work with the event coordinators! Shulie

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  20. So exciting! There is no such thing as too much Indian food - glad there's an opportunity to learn how to make it at home.
    -SF

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    1. True on both counts and thank you for dropping by! Have a wonderful Sunday!

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  21. I wish I lived closer so I could take one of your wonderful cooking class! *Sigh*
    Chutney looks so green & fresh! yum!

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    1. I know, would be so much fun!! It's vibrant. Some of my more daring students made it as is and really enjoyed it. :)

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  22. Gorgeous photos, and if I were still living in DC, I'd love to come to one of your classes Shulie. Green Chutney is one of my absolute favorites. The spicier the better! My friends who live across the street are from India, and when one of their mom's comes to visit, she whips up a big batch of this, and I end up putting it on everything. Fabulous on scrambled eggs!

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    1. Super idea to pair it with scrambled eggs EA. Love it that you like it spicy and thank you so much for spreading the love of chutney on FB and such! :)

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  23. So happy for you my friend. Sending congratulations and hope for more success your way :)

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