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    Ulli Theeyal | kerala style shallots curry

    April 10, 2023 By Vidya Srinivasan Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Ulli Theeyal | Kerala style shallots curry | Kerala ulli theeyal | Kerala style ulli theeyal | small onion tamarind curry | small onion in roasted coconut curry | Kerala style shallots in roasted coconut curry | ulli curry | nadan ulli theeyal Check out the  Ulli Theeyal recipe and If you like the video pls SUBSCRIBE to my channel. 

    Ulli theeyal

    Ulli theeyal is a traditional dish from the South Indian state of Kerala. It is a vegetarian curry that is made using small onions, which are also known as shallots. The word 'theeyal' in Malayalam, the local language of Kerala, means 'burnt', referring to the roasted coconut and spices that give the dish its distinct flavor. Ulli theeyal is a popular dish in Kerala and is often served with rice or flatbreads. Its rich and tangy taste, along with its unique blend of spices, makes it a must-try for anyone visiting Kerala.

    Always roast coconut in dark golden brown 

    Burny coconut (roasted to golden brown) gives a unique amazing flavor to this dish. Avoid high flame. Always saute regularly in low- medium for even roasting.

    Tips to note while grinding coconut

    Oil in the coconut is enough for initial grinding. After the coconut is almost ground, add very little water and grind. If the ground coconut is thick it might turn lumpy after you add so I have added extra water to adjust the consistency.

    Can I use regular onions?

    Small onions/ shallots give the best taste for the ulli theeyal. You can use regular onion but the taste might slightly vary.

    Other vegetables to use

    1. Onion Theeyal: Instead of using shallots, you can use regular onions to make onion theeyal. The preparation method and spices will be similar, but the taste may differ slightly.
    2. Garlic Theeyal: Garlic lovers can try making garlic theeyal by using peeled garlic cloves instead of shallots. This version will have a stronger and more pungent flavor.
    3. Potato Theeyal: Boiled and diced potatoes can be used to make a tasty and filling potato theeyal. The potatoes will absorb the flavors of the spices and coconut, making for a flavorful dish.
    4. Eggplant Theeyal: Eggplants are another vegetable that can be used to make theeyal. Slice and fry eggplants until golden brown and then add them to the spices and coconut mixture to make eggplant theeyal.
    5. Okra Theeyal: Okra or ladies' finger can also be used to make a variation of theeyal. Fry the okra until it's crispy and then mix it with the coconut and spice mixture.

    These are just a few examples, but you can use any vegetable you like to make your own variation of theeyal. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time and spices accordingly to suit the vegetable you are using.

    Can I substitute tamarind with tomato?

    Tamarind is an important ingredient in Spicy and tangy curry,  as it provides the dish with its characteristic tangy flavor. substituting tamarind alters the flavor

    Serving suggestion for small onion gravy

    It tastes best when mixed with rice.it is also a tasty side dish for tiffin varieties like appam, idiyappam, idli, dosai, etc.

    Shelf life of shallot tamarind curry

    Since it contains coconut, which is perishable, the shelf life of ulli theeyal can be limited. Typically, ulli theeyal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. After this time, it may start to spoil and should not be consumed. To extend the shelf life of ulli theeyal, it is best to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator as soon as it cools down.

    Oil for Kerala style small onion curry

    For making ulli theeyal, coconut oil is recommended. Coconut oil is often used in South Indian cooking, including the preparation of theeyal, as it lends a distinct flavor to the dish. However, if you don't have coconut oil or prefer not to use it, any other neutral-flavored oil but the flavor might vary.

    Kerala  based recipes

    Coconut based recipes

    Kuzhambu recipes

    tamarind based kuzhambu

    Ingredients

    Roast coconut

    1 tablespoon coconut oil 

    1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

    1 tablespoon coriander seeds

    5 red chilli

    1/4 teaspoon pepper

    5 small onion

    1 cup coconut

    1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder 

    Temper

    1 tablespoon coconut oil

    1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

    1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

    Curry leaves few

    Theeyal

    100 grams small onion

    2+ 1/2 cup tamarind water

    Required salt

    1/2 teaspoon jaggery

    3/4 cup water 

    How to make shallots curry with steps by steps pictures

    • Add oil to pan and Heat

    • Furthermore add dried red chillies, coriander seeds, pepper, and fenugreek seeds; mix well

    • Add small onions and give a quick mix

    • Furthermore, add coconut and saute till they are dark golden brown in color. Make sure to keep stirring to avoid burning the coconut

    • Finally, add turmeric powder and mix well

    •  allow the mixture to cool down and grind without adding water

    • Furthermore, add around 1 tablespoon water and grind it into a fine paste

    • Finally, add 1/4 cup of water; grind again

    • In the same pan, heat coconut oil

    • Add mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds; splutter

    • Furthermore, add curry leaves and roast

    • keep the curry leaves aside

    • Add small onions. Sauté the onions until they turn translucent and slightly change color 

    • Furthermore, add tamarind water and the required salt; mix well and boil for 10 minutes

    • Now add the ground coconut paste, water, and jaggery; boil for 10 minutes

    • Turn off the stove

    • Finally, add roasted curry leaves; mix well and serve

    ulli theeyal

    south indian curry with shallots, tamarind and coconut
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    Ingredients

    Roast coconut

    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
    • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
    • 5 red chilli
    • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
    • 5 small onion
    • 1 cup coconut
    • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

    Temper

    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
    • Curry leaves few

    Theeyal

    • 100 grams small onion
    • 2 + 1/2 cup tamarind water
    • Required salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon jaggery
    • 3/4 cup water

    Instructions

    Roast coconut

    • Add oil to pan and Heat
    • Furthermore add dried red chillies, coriander seeds, pepper, and fenugreek seeds; mix well
    • Add small onions and give a quick mix
    • Furthermore, add coconut and saute till they are dark golden brown in color. Make sure to keep stirring to avoid burning the coconut
    • Finally, add turmeric powder and mix well

    Grind coconut

    • allow the mixture to cool down and grind without adding water
    • Furthermore, add around 1 tablespoon water and grind it into a fine paste
    • Finally, add 1/4 cup of water; grind again

    Temper

    • In the same pan, heat coconut oil
    • Add mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds; splutter
    • Furthermore, add curry leaves and roast
    • keep the curry leaves aside

    shallot curry

    • Add small onions. Sauté the onions until they turn translucent and slightly change color
    • Furthermore, add tamarind water and the required salt; mix well and boil for 10 minutes
    • Now add the ground coconut paste, water, and jaggery; boil for 10 minutes
    • Turn off the stove
    • Finally, add roasted curry leaves; mix well and serve

    Video

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    Notes

    1. Burnt coconut (roasted to golden brown) gives a unique amazing flavor to this dish. Avoid high flame. Always saute regularly in low- medium for even roasting
    2. Oil in the coconut is enough for initial grinding. After the coconut is almost ground, add very little water and grind. If the ground coconut is thick it might turn lumpy after you add so I have added extra water to adjust the consistency
    3. Small onions/ shallots give the best taste. You can use regular onion but the taste might slight vary
    4. use any vegetable you like to make your own variation of theeyal. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time and spices accordingly to suit the vegetable you are using
    5. Tamarind is an important ingredient in Spicy and tangy curry,  as it provides the dish with its characteristic tangy flavor. substituting tamarind alters the flavor
    6. It tastes best when mixed with rice.it is also a tasty side dish for tiffin varieties like appam, idiyappam, idli, dosai, etc.
    7. Since it contains coconut, which is perishable, the shelf life of ulli theeyal can be limited. Typically, ulli theeyal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. After this time, it may start to spoil and should not be consumed. To extend the shelf life of ulli theeyal, it is best to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator as soon as it cools down
    8. For making Coconut-based curry, coconut oil is recommended. Coconut oil is often used in South Indian cooking, including the preparation of theeyal, as it lends a distinct flavor to the dish. However, if you don't have coconut oil or prefer not to use it, any other neutral-flavored oil but the flavor might vary
    Tried this recipe?Mention @traditionallymodernfood or tag #traditionallymodernfood!

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