Today on menu Ulli Theeyal -Small Red Onion/Pearl Onion-Shallots Theeyal. Theeyal originates from the state of Kerala in South India.The word ‘ulli’ in Malayalam refers to small onions /shallots /sambar onion. Theeyal means burnt dish,referring to roasted coconut used as the main ingredient and is usually dark brown in color, flavored with tamarind. It goes well with rice and any side dish.
Ulli-Onion Theeyal
Theeyal is very versatile and can be prepared with pearl onion,bitter gourd, brinjal,okra, yam, sometimes with mixed vegetables or even with seafood, shrimp-prawns etc. In some parts of Kerala, theeyal is included in a traditional sadya menu.There are several versions and changes made from region to region in Kerala, but this is the way I make it and enjoy it! Try this version and let me know how it turned out buddies.
Other Theeyal You Might Also Like :
How to make Ulli Theeyal – Small Red Onion-Shallots Theeyal -Pearl Onions cooked in Roasted Coconut Gravy
Ulli Theeyal -Small Red Onion-Shallots Theeyal Recipe
Ingredients
- Shallots /Small Onions : 15-20 peeled & sliced into thin pieces
- Tamarind : 1 small lemon sized
- Grated Coconut : 1/2 cup
- Dried Red Chillies : 5-6
- Coriander seeds : 11/2 tsp
- Cumin Seeds : 1/4 tsp
- Whole Black Pepper : 5-10
- Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp
- Asafoetida : a pinch
- Fenugreek Powder : a pinch
- Mustard Seeds : 1/2 tsp
- Curry Leaves : a few
- Sugar : a pinch optional
- Salt to taste
- Oil as needed
Instructions
- Slice the small onions lengthwise into thin pieces.Soak tamarind in 1/2 cup of warm water and take the extract from it.
- Heat 1 tsp of oil stir fry the red chilly,coriander seeds ,cumin seeds, black pepper corns, grated coconut and turmeric powder till it gives an aroma and turns to brown in colour.Keep it aside and let it cool.Grind it to a smooth paste.
- (Note : Make sure not burn the spices)
- Heat 2 tbsp of oil; splutter mustard seeds,add curry leaves,sliced small onions and saute till the onion turn light brown in color.
- Add asafoetida,salt and fenugreek powder into it. Saute for a while.
- Add tamarind extract into it and allow it to boil for 4-5 minutes by stirring occasionally. (Note : Add water if necessary)
- Add the ground paste and sugar into it and simmer for further 3-4 minutes. Remove from the fire and serve hot with steamed rice and Enjoy!
Happy Cooking!
Sangeetha
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You're welcome! I’m so glad to hear your friend enjoyed these and that they turned out so well for you! Thank you so much for trying the recipes from here & also for letting me know the results :)Hope you get to try other recipes too …
Cheers!
Sangeetha
Hi Rashmi, Thanks for trying this dish and am really happy that you loved it too 🙂 Please do try out other recipes too.
Cheers!
Sangeetha
Okay I made the theeyal it tasted fantastic!! I did not add sugar so It was pretty spicy last night freshly done but today its sweeter and my european friends were over and were CRAZY over theeyal with idiyappam…thank u!!!
Loved it, thank you so much!
Thank you!;0 I’m so glad to hear that they turned out so well for you! Hope you get to try other recipes and like them too.
Cheers!
Sangeetha
I tried this recipe today and it came out very well.. You are doing very good job Sangeetha..
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Sarita for trying this recipe and also for sharing your feedback here 🙂 Nice to know that your husband liked it.I hope you do try more of my recipes.
Cheers!
Sangeetha
Gud one…My hubby loved it n I too….thanks for sharing this recipie
@ Savitha, You are welcome savitha & thanks a bunch for trying the recipe and for letting me know that!!:-) I'm glad you liked it and happy that it came out well for you. 🙂
Hi, I tried this Recipe and the taste was awesome:) Its a very good combination for Wheat paratha:)Thank you for sharing this recipe.
@ Savitha Harish, By adding sugar, he rich tartness of tamarind is balanced and moreover it always gives an extra flavor and taste to gravy. Do try and let me know your valuable feedback 🙂 Thank u..Happy Cooking!
Hi Just a small doubt, Can you please tell me why sugar is added to it. I understand its a optional ingredient. just to know, if it gives any spl taste? I do have plans to prepare this Ulli Theeyal very soon.:)
Hi, I went through this recipe and have plans to prepare it at the earliest. But I have a small doubt,can you please tell me why sugar is added to it. I understand its a optional ingredient to Ulli Theeyal. Just want to know, if it gives spl taste?
Thanks all for your enocuraging words..:) hope you all try this out and love it. it tastes yummy with steamed rice
ulli theeyal was my favorite in school days…my grandmother used to make it often.. 🙂 looks so delicious.. beautiful clicks!
Delicious ulli theeyal and really mouth-watering pictures..Kurachu chorru koode kittiyirunenkil!! Njangalde sidelum theeyal sadyakku vilambarilla..
Mouth watering dish dear….
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Regards,
Akila.
Fingerlicking ulli theeyal, makes me drool..
Gravy looks soooooooo delicious and yummy that I feel like having it now. Wonderful recipe.
It looks so tasty! You have a lot of lovely vegetarian recipes, I'll be back, and I will follow you as well.
ciao
Alessandra
I have been searching in three Asian shops for ulli wheni went y'day but they didn't had any left. Lov elove this curry was my fav when mom made. Drooli drool.
looks tempting and creamy
The coconut gravy looks superb…. Perfect with plain rice
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Yummy curry and nice click! I'd love to finish the meal!
ethu njan MIL de aduthunu padichatha.Eniku bhayaghara eshta.Njan post cheythitundu.Adipoli da.Ulli polikananu paadu 🙂
The coconut gravy sounds super delicious!
olve anything with shallots.Gravy should be yummy with hot rice
I love this..have one in my draft too 🙂 I didn't know that this is a part of sadya in some places. We do not make this for sadya…North Kerala-il avum alle?
Looks tempting & very thick too
That gravy looks DELICIOUS!!
loved the layout ..looks neat and awesome.
This is one my fav and after tasting this in my friends place i started doing very often.. Looks truely tempting.
mouth watering and delicious theeyal.I am coming over to have it.
i love small onion n this ulli theeyal looks sooooo tempting ..bookmarked thanks for sharing dear
Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com
My fav theeyal…yummm…………
Great presentation and looks so delicious dear…
Sounds good with roasted coconut and looks delicious too.
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deliciously looking good gravy..perfect with a bowl of steamed rice..yumm