Bombay Chutney Recipe | South Indian Besan Chutney for Dosa and Chapati

Bombay Chutney, also known as Besan Chutney, is a simple and flavorful South Indian side dish made with gram flour (besan), onions, and tomatoes. It pairs wonderfully with dosa, chapati, poori, and even idly.

Bombay Chutney made with besan, onions, and tomatoes, garnished with fresh coriander leaves

Ingredients

For Tempering

• 3 tsp oil
• ½ tsp mustard seeds (rai)
• Few curry leaves
• 3–4 green chilies, slit

Other Ingredients

• ½ cup finely chopped onions
• ½ cup finely chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ¼ cup besan (gram flour)
• 1 cup water
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

Method

1. Heat oil in a kadai and add mustard seeds. Allow them to crackle.
2. Add curry leaves and slit green chilies. Sauté for a few seconds.
3. Add the chopped onions and cook until soft and translucent.
4. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw aroma disappears.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until soft and mushy.
6. Mix in the turmeric powder.
7. Add the besan and immediately pour in 1 cup of water while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
8. Cook on a low flame for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chutney thickens.
9. Add salt to taste and mix well.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.

Notes

• For a variation, you can use powdered roasted gram dal (pottukadalai/putani dal) instead of besan.
• Adjust the consistency by adding more water if you prefer a thinner chutney.
• This chutney tastes especially delicious with crispy dosa and soft chapatis.

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