Mirchi cha thecha

Thecha is a Maharashtrian condiment using roasted green chilies, peanuts, and garlic. It is a coarsely pounded green chili chutney. Made with just five ingredients, it is extremely popular in Maharashtrian cuisine and is cooked in almost every household.

INGREDIENTS:

5 ounces green chilies (150 g)

2 teaspoons oil

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

¼ cup whole peeled garlic cloves

½ cup raw peanuts (with or without skin)

1 teaspoon salt

PROCEDURE:

• Wash 150 g (5 oz) of green chilies with water and wipe them with a kitchen towel. Remove their stalk and set them aside.

• Add the chilies to the heavy-bottomed hot pan and saute on high heat until blistered (8-10 minutes). Stir at regular intervals.

• Once blistered, remove the chilies to a plate.

• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add 2 teaspoons oil to the same pan.

• Add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and ¼ cups peeled whole garlic cloves, and mix everything. Cook until the garlic cloves are blistered (2-3 minutes), stirring frequently.

• Transfer the cumin seeds and garlic to the plate, along with the chilies.

• Add ½ cup of raw peanuts to the same pan and cook until lightly blistered (2-3 minutes), stirring frequently.

• Transfer the peanuts to the same plate and let everything cool down for 5 minutes.

• Transfer the green chilies, peanuts, and garlic mixture to a large mortar and pound to make a coarse paste.

  If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can crush the ingredients in a food processor or a chopper. Just make sure to keep it coarse and not paste. Add salt and mix well. Once everything comes together, it is ready to serve.

• Serve with bhakri, thalipeet, or parathas.