Healthy Livng

Enjoying the chutney culinary sensation
Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, astringent

As a little boy I do remember thinking about grandma’s lunches, “So many dishes on the table”. There would be at least 3 types of vegetables such as an astringent cabbage, a deep fried bitter squash, and a sweet beet root dish. Then there was the dahl lentil boiled with onions, sea salt and turmeric. The meat dish could be mutton, chicken or fish curry along with a prawn sambal and chutney. All these dishes were eaten with rice or chapati made from whole-wheat flour. To complete the meal there was a sour yogurt sweetened with brown palm sugar. For desert fresh fruits and a sweet milk rice pudding sprinkled with chopped pistachio or cashew nuts.

When I think back I realize that the meal contained all the necessary food groups of protein, carbohydrates and fats along with fiber, vitamins and minerals. A healthy balanced meal. If only I had the time to cook up so many dishes everyday. Besides that, we do want to enjoy the variety of ethnic foods so available in our multicultural society.

Balancing all these taste sensations I am told is important not just to enhance our enjoyment of food but it actually is a great contributor to healthy living. It ensures we get all the nutrition our body needs. Life is more fun when we are healthy so why not continue enjoying all these lovely delicious tastes and aromas.

Well, the simple solution is to go for variety in vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, cereals and protein source. A selection of ready sprinkle containers of spices and salts is a great idea.

But to get that quick mix of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent all rolled into one Grandma’s secret has always been chutneys. There are all kinds of vegetable and fruit chutneys to choose from. They go well with breads, roast meats and salads. Green mango chutneys just complement the flavor of roast chicken nicely. A spicy hot chutney can add a zesty sensation to a meal. Sweet fruit chutneys are just great as dips. Those ancient ayurvedic healers sure knew the importance of making healthy eating delicious.

Chutneys can give a bit of each of the six flavors if you are in a rush. So whether it is the traditional Thanksgiving roast, that Thai dinner or Greek lunch or that quick sandwich we can always have that combination of taste sensations on the plate with a little chutney. 

Who says healthy can’t be tasty.

Siddha Param
International Business Consultant

Worldwide Business Connection.com