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Home » Chutney, Dips & more » Malabar Spinach Chutney | Basale Chutney

Malabar Spinach Chutney | Basale Chutney

Published: Jan 14, 2022 · by Shilpa · 3 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Malabar spinach chutney is an easy and delicious chutney made with Basella alba. Also called 'basale soppu' chutney in Kannada, it is very popular in coastal regions of Karnataka. Suitable for all dietary requirements.
malabar spinach chutney

Malabar spinach chutney step-by-step recipe with photos.

Jump to:
  • About this recipe
  • What is Malabar spinach
  • Ingredients
  • Useful tips
  • Try this chutney with -
  • Bonus
  • Step by step instructions
  • Recipe card
  • Comments

About this recipe

Malabar spinach chutney is an easy and delicious chutney made with Basella alba (basale soppu). Also called 'basale soppu' chutney in Kannada, it is very popular in coastal regions of Karnataka. This delicious chutney can be served with a South Indian breakfast. It can also be served as an accompaniment with lunch or dinner. It is a healthy alternative to regular chutneys and is very easy to make.

This is one of the easiest Malabar spinach recipes you can try. Read on for ingredients, useful tips, and step-by-step instructions to make this delicious basale chutney.

malabar spinach chutney

What is Malabar spinach

Malabar spinach (Basella alba or Basella rubra) is a soft-stemmed vine that is widely grown in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is also known as Ceylon spinach, climbing spinach, or vine spinach. It looks similar to regular spinach and can be used just like it.

The leaves are slightly thick and fleshly when compared to regular spinach. This green vegetable can be eaten cooked or raw. When cooked, they taste very similar to regular spinach but are denser. In Indian cuisine, it is used in dal, curries, and chutney. It can also be added to omelettes, soups and salads.

This vine spinach is very healthy and loaded with numerous benefits. It is a rich source of vitamin A and C, folates, manganese, and iron. It is also a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

Malabar spinach plant

Ingredients

ingredients to make malabar spinach chutney or basale chutney

Malabar spinach: This is the main ingredient to make this chutney.

Coconut oil: Traditionally, coconut oil is used to make this chutney. However, you may replace it with any cooking oil of your choice.

Onion, garlic, and green chilli: These add lots of flavour to the chutney. Adjust the amount of green chilli as per your preference.

Tamarind and jaggery: They help balance the taste of the chutney. Jaggery is optional and can be skipped.

Tempering: (seasoning/tadka/oggarane) Mustard seeds, dried red chilli, urad dal, hing, and curry leaves.

Useful tips

I prefer to use coconut oil to make this chutney. However, this can be replaced with any regular cooking oil.

A good amount of tamarind goes into making this chutney. I highly recommend not to skip it. Tamarind not only balances the taste of Malabar spinach but also helps absorb the nutrients from the greens.

You can adjust the amount of green chilli as per your taste.

This chutney can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. Bring it to room temperature before serving.

This chutney can also be served as an accompaniment with your lunch.

malabar spinach chutney

Click here for more chutney recipes.

Try this chutney with -

  • South-Indian Vegetarian Thali Ideas
  • Rava Idli (Suji Idli)
  • Ragi Idli / Finger Millet Idli
  • Millet Dosa
  • Instant Ragi Dosa
  • Set Dosa
  • Adai Dosa
  • Idli

malabar spinach chutney

Bonus

This chutney is:
- healthy and nutritious
- suitable for all dietary requirements
- unique and delicious

Step by step instructions

In a frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Add onion, garlic, and green chilli. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes (steps 1,2).

Add the chopped leaves, jaggery, tamarind, and salt (steps 3,4).

basale chutney steps 1-4.

Mix well, cover, and simmer for 5-6 minutes (until the greens cook well). Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down completely (steps 5,6).

Grind into a smooth paste (step 7).

Meanwhile, prepare the tempering. Heat 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and add mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add urad dal, dried red chilli, hing, and curry leaves. Mix well and turn off the heat (step 8).

basale chutney steps 5-8.

Add this tempering to the ground chutney and serve

malabar spinach chutney

malabar spinach chutney or basale chutney served with idli

Recipe card

Malabar Spinach Chutney

Shilpa
Malabar spinach chutney is an easy and delicious chutney made with Basella alba. Also called 'basale soppu' chutney in Kannada, it is very popular in coastal regions of Karnataka. Suitable for all dietary requirements.
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Others
Cuisine Indian, Karnataka
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch malabar spinach
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 small onion
  • 3-4 cloves garlic
  • 1-2 green chilli
  • 1 teaspoon jaggery
  • 1 big piece tamarind
  • Salt to taste

For tempering/tadka

  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 dried red chilli
  • 1 teaspoon urad dal
  • 5-6 curry leaves
  • ½ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 bunch basella

Instructions
 

  • Wash the Malabar spinach leaves and roughly chop them
  • In a frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
  • Add onion, garlic, and green chilli. Saute until the onion is translucent (3-4 minutes)
  • Add the chopped leaves, jaggery, tamarind, and salt
  • Mix well, cover, and simmer for 5-6 minutes (until the greens cook well)
  • Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down completely
  • Grind it into a smooth paste and transfer to a serving bowl
  • Meanwhile, prepare the tempering. Heat 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and add mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add urad dal, dried red chilli, hing, and curry leaves. Mix well and turn off the heat
  • Add this tempering to the ground chutney
  • Mix well and serve

Notes

See the tips section above for useful tips to make this dish.
Nutrition Facts
Malabar Spinach Chutney
Amount Per Serving
Calories 32 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 20mg1%
Potassium 21mg1%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 28IU1%
Vitamin C 14mg17%
Calcium 9mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris

    February 21, 2022 at 3:53 am

    5 stars
    This chutney is was so delicious! I made it the other day and everyone loved it! Thank you for sharing! Yum.

    Reply
  2. Katie

    February 21, 2022 at 11:21 am

    5 stars
    Obsessed with this flavorful recipe!

    Reply
  3. nancy

    February 22, 2022 at 10:31 am

    5 stars
    super tasty and pinned to make again~

    Reply

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