Read through my lens

You made a beautiful batch of chutney — now how long does it actually keep? Every chutney has a different fridge life, and guessing wrong wastes good food. This is my storage master rule (Rule 8 from my Chutney Rules Book), the one I use for every batch. #### How long each chutney keeps - **Cooked chutneys** (tomato, onion, dal-based): 5–7 days in the fridge. - **Fresh herb chutneys** (mint, coriander, sandwich): 3–5 days in the fridge. - **Coconut chutney:** 2–3 days in the

A Bombay sandwich stands or falls on its chutney — and a runny chutney makes soggy bread. This one is ground thick with roasted peanuts and barely any water, so it spreads, grips the bread, and stays put in every layer. *Recipe illustrated — the photo is a serving illustration; this is the full tested recipe from my Chutney Rules Book.* #### Ingredients - 1 cup coriander leaves - ½ cup mint leaves - 2–3 green chilies - ½ inch ginger - Juice of 1 lemon - 2 tbsp roasted peanuts

When tomatoes are plenty, this is the chutney that earns its jar in my fridge. Roasted urad dal, red chilies and garlic go in first, the tomatoes cook down soft, and the result is tangy, warm and ready for rice or dosa — and because it's cooked, it keeps the longest of my everyday chutneys. #### Ingredients - 3 medium tomatoes (chopped) - 2 tbsp urad dal - 4 dried red chilies - 3 garlic cloves - Small tamarind piece - 1 tsp oil - Salt #### Method Roast dal + chilies + garlic