Shallots Curry | Ulli Theeyal | Onion Sambar

Shallots Curry | Ulli Theeyal | Onion Sambar – with step by step photos, description and video of the recipe is here. Ulli theeyal is a curry made out of red small onions(also known as shallots). This curry has a soupy consistency, and is made of roasted coconut, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds and dry red chillies. Dry spices ground to make masala paste then it is boiled in tamarind extract along with the veggies.

Shallots Curry | Ulli Theeyal | Onion Sambar– Theeyal, which means “burnt dish”, is a typical Kerala dish featuring roasted coconut and is usually dark brown in color. It gets its color from the toasting of grated coconut and also from tamarind. In some parts of Kerala, theeyal is included in a traditional sadya menu. Theeyal is very versatile  and can be prepared with pearl onion,bitter gourd, brinjal,okra, yam or even with seafood, shrimp-prawns etc.

Before going to the recipe I would like to highlight some of the other recipes here.

Amtekai Gojju (Menaskai) | Indian Hog Plum Curry,

Fresh Turmeric Root Curry | Kacchi Haldi ki Sabzi | Raw Turmeric Gojju,

Majjige huli | Pumpkin Buttermilk Curry,

Ridge Gourd Peel Chutney | Heerekayi Sippe Chutney 

SHALLOTS CURRY | ULLI THEEYAL RECIPE VIDEO :

SUGGESTED WATCH : Fresh Turmeric Root Curry | Kacchi Haldi ki Sabzi | Raw Turmeric Gojju

RECIPE CARD FOR SHALLOTS CURRY | ULLI THEEYAL RECIPE:

Shallots Curry | Ulli Theeyal

Ulli theeyal is a curry made out of red small onions(also known as shallots).

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Curry

Cuisine Indian, South Indian

Servings 3

Ingredients

  

• 1 tsp Oil
• 1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
• 7-8 Fenugreek seeds
• 15-20 Shallots (small red onion)
• 5-6 Curry Leaves
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
• Salt to taste
• 3/4 cup Tamarind extract

For Masala

• 1 tsp Oil
• 1 tbsp Coriander Seeds
• 1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds
• 2-3 Red Chillies
• 1/2 cup Grated Coconut
• Water as required

Instructions

 

• In a pan take 1 tsp of oil. 
• Once the oil is heated, add 1 tbsp of coriander seeds. 
• And add 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds. 
• Add 2-3 red chillies. (You can adjust the spice based on your taste)
• Switch off the flame and add 1/2 cup freshly grated coconut. Mix well, so that coconut doesn't get burned.
• Once it is cooled, transfer to the blender. 
• Add little water required for grinding. 
• Blend it to smooth paste and keep aside. 
• In another pan, add 1 tsp oil.
• Add 1/4 tsp mustard seeds.
• Then add 7-8 fenugreek seeds. 
• After that add 15-20 shallots. Roast it for few minutes. Also add few curry leaves. 
• Next add 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder.
• And add salt to taste. 
• Add 3/4 cup of tamarind extract.
• Allow to boil for 5 minutes. 
• Add the ground masala paste. Mix and boil well. 
• After 5 minutes, the curry starts to thicken and oil starts to release. That time switch off the flame. 
• Ready to serve along with white rice. 

Video

Notes

HOW TO MAKE SHALLOTS CURRY | ULLI THEEYAL WITH STEP BY STEP PHOTOS: 

1. In a pan take 1 tsp of oil.
2. Once the oil is heated, add 1 tbsp of coriander seeds.
3. And add 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds.
4. Add 2-3 red chillies. (You can adjust the spice based on your taste)
5. Switch off the flame and add 1/2 cup freshly grated coconut. Mix well, so that coconut doesn’t get burned.
6. Once it is cooled, transfer to the blender.
7. Add little water required for grinding.
8. Blend it to smooth paste and keep aside.
9. In another pan, add 1 tsp oil.
10. Add 1/4 tsp mustard seeds.
11. Then add 7-8 fenugreek seeds.
12. After that add 15-20 shallots. Roast it for few minutes. Also add few curry leaves. 
13. Next add 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder.
14. And add salt to taste.
15. Add 3/4 cup of tamarind extract.
16. Allow to boil for 5 minutes.
17. Add the ground masala paste. Mix and boil well.
18. After 5 minutes, the curry starts to thicken and oil starts to release. That time switch off the flame.
19. Ready to serve along with white rice.

Keyword Onion Sambar, Shallots Curry, Ulli Theeyal

TIPS & VARIATIONS:

1. For getting dark colour, add in a couple of Byadagi red chillies / Kashmiri red chillies. They impart a deep red colour to the curry.
2. In place of Shallots you can also use Bittergourd, brinjal, okra, yam etc.
3. Cook on medium flame to prevent from burning.
4. You can also roast the coconut until the colour changes to little golden.
5. You can also consider adding some peppers make the curry spicy.