The rice is surrounded by smaller mounds of prepared vegetables, fresh chutney or preserved pickles, and sometimes curd / yogurt, fish or meat.

Sour, spicy fresh chutneys or indian pickle (achār) are rarely served.

Serve warm with fresh chutney.

England's mint sauce falls into this category, as do fresh Indian chutneys, the simple combinations of minced mint or fresh coriander mixed with yogurt.

Even in the average supermarket, Basmati rice is being joined by tins of crisp, chickpea-flour papadum chips and chilled containers of fresh chutneys.

For one thing, they're too busy selling their fresh chutneys.

They arrive with a side of fresh chutney, "an Indian version of salsa," as Isabel put it.

It is served hot and is often eaten with fresh Indian chutney, such as mint, coriander or tamarind.

Home-style dosas , idlis and uttapams (savoury rice pancakes) are served with lovely fresh chutneys.