Sun-dried chillies
Yogurt-soaked green chillies, dried in the sun and fried crisp
A traditional Gujarati store-cupboard side: green chillies slit, soaked overnight in salted yogurt and dried in the sun until shrunk and brittle. Fried for a few seconds, they turn crisp, salty and tangy with a gentle heat. Serve one or two alongside farari khichdi, kadhi or any fasting meal. Allow 3–5 days of strong sun for drying. Makes about 300 g.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
To serve
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Wash and dry 1 ⅛ lb green chillies. Slit each one lengthwise, keeping the stalk end joined.
Step 2: Whisk 4 ¼ cups plain yogurt with 4 tsp salt in a non-metal bowl. Add the chillies, make sure they are covered and leave to soak overnight.
720 minStep 3: Drain the chillies and spread them in a single layer on a clean cloth. Dry them in the sun, bringing them in at night, until shrunk and completely dry and brittle. This takes 3–5 sunny days.
Step 4: Store in a clean, dry airtight bottle. They keep for months.
Step 5: When needed, heat oil over medium heat and fry a few dried chillies for a few seconds until they puff and turn pale. Don't let them darken or they turn bitter. Drain and serve.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 25 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 3 g
- Fat
- 1 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sun-dried chillies take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of plain yogurt?
- Sour cream or buttermilk, same amount.
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