17 January 2008

Onion Chutney

The prayers for rains have been answered. The last ten days have been overcast, the sun hasn't peeked out and yes, it rained! After the typical winter delicacies like carrot halva and pinnies, the rains called for piping hot, spicy pakodas, vada-pavs and ginger tea or simple, comfort foods with a spicy chutney or dip on the side. One such chutney is ulli chutney or onion chutney, simple and spicy and goes with idlies, dosas, adais, vadas etc.


You'll need:
1 large onion
4 red chillies (more if you want it spicier)
1 small cup grated coconut
a sprig of curry leaves
salt to taste




Slice the onions and grind it along with the rest of the ingredients with a little water. Adjust to the consistency you prefer. Add a tsp of coconut oil on top. That's it, a simple, spicy chutney is ready!

You can make variations by adding tamarind to it for a bit of sourness or roasting the onions and chillies before grinding them.

This is my entry to RCI – Cuisine of Kerala, event conceived by LakshmiK of Veggie Cuisine as well as JFI-Onions, hosted at Radhi's Kitchen, event created by Indira of Mahanandi.

27 comments:

Sig said...

praying for rain? I can pack and send some over... :) Onion chutney loops yummy, and soo easy to make!

J said...

Sig - The locals here prayed for rain and we haven't seen the sun in 10 days!! I certainly don't want any more rain :)

Seena said...

Jyo,
Nice chutney, we always keep one chutney as side dish.
Haven't tried much with big onions..

indosungod said...

Jyothsana, doesn't the onions being raw give a raw taste, maybe the coconut will hide it. I have never tried onion chutney without sauteing the onions.

Nanditha Prabhu said...

this is my absolute favorite! anything with onions is!

Mrs. K said...

hmm.. korachu busy yaa.. but I have somehting for RCI kerala. :) Just hoping that I would be able to type it before the deadline. I want to. :)

Mishmash ! said...

i havent tasted the chutney with big onions...mummy uses small ones....but in a slighly diff way....

Finla said...

Yeah i agree with sig. Here too it has been raining for days.
Love the onion chutney.
Especially with dosa and idlis

remya said...

i love onion chutney....simply n yet delicious... love to have them wid dosa...

J said...

Seena - This is regular at our place, we love it.

Indo - No, we never feel the raw taste, try it!

Nanditha - This chutney is certainly my favourite!

RP - Hope you can participate!

Shn - We use small onions sometimes, that is also tasty. What's your mum's version?

Happy Cook, Remya - You are right, tastes great with idlis and dosas!

Unknown said...
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sra said...

Coconut with onion is new to me but then I make neither chutney at home, tho' I've eaten both at hotels.

FH said...

We had snow here yesterday, kids were off school and we are expecting 2" snow tomorrow!:))
Onion chutney looks yum. Enjoy the weekend.

Cynthia said...

Jyothsna, this is really simple indeed, I want to try it but I'm thinking of roasting the onions first, that should definitely add a new dimension to it don't you think?

Sagari said...

thats a simple and yummy chutney jyothsna looks delecoius

Manju said...

mmmm this is one of my favs with dosa and sambar...you may add some imli or tomato to it...it tastes even better with that lil sourness..

J said...

Sra - It's a hit with my family, try it.

Asha - We are back to pleasant weather and sunny days! Yay!!

Cynthia - The coconut masks the raw taste of onions, if that is your concern. Roasting the onions gives it a nice flavour too. I like it both ways!

Sagari - It's really quick.

Superchef - I really don't like the sourness at all, I know many do.

Susan said...

Sometimes raw onion can be overpowering, but I think the coconut must mellow and sooth it. Looks mighty tasty!

Jyothsna, when a recipe calls for red chili, do I assume that it's always the dry hot kind?

Ramya's Mane Adige said...

yummy!!! have heard a lot about onion chutney, but have never trie making it...will try it out some time, thanx

J said...

Susan - The coconut does mellow down the chutney and you cannot taste the rawness. The onion does give a nice flavour to it. Yes, red chillies here are the dry, hot kind :)

Ramya - It is so quick and easy to make. I always thought everyone made it.

Anonymous said...

We too make onion chutney but slightly different though. Your version is looking great. I may want to try it.

Susan from Food Blogga said...

This sounds like a simple-to-make and simply delicious chutney. It would go well with so many different dishes. Thanks, Jyothsna!

KF said...

Onion Chutney looks so simple..I always use small onions..Next time I will try with big one...Mazha eni vannal veendum nammal okke waterfront apartment il aayi pokum...

J said...

Hima, Susan - It is a personal favourite, and so simple to make.

KF - Athe, mazha moodi nilkunnu, pakshe waterfront apartment aavaanulla chance thonnunilla :)

Raaga said...

http://chefatwork.blogspot.com/2008/01/vegetable-stew.html

here's my entry Jyothsna. I was traveling and though I posted this earlier, I couldn't mail it to you.

J said...

Thanks Raaga, got your entry!

Kribha said...

My MIL makes then once in awhile when we are out of all the side dihes. It is surely simple yet flavorful.