Ulli means pearl onion/shallot and theeyal means fried curry. Shallots has always been an integral part of Kerala cuisine. A simple and flavorful curry where the shallots are cooked in roasted coconut paste. Simple yet a delicious curry.
You need –
- Shallots/ pearl onions – 1 cup, Cut into half if big
- Grated coconut – 3/4 cup
- whole coriander – 1.5 tablespoons
- Whole died chili – 3-4 or per taste
- curry leaves – 2+ 1 sprigs
- Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon
- Tamarind – 1gooseberry sized ball, Soaked in 1/4 cup warm water and pulp extracted
- water – as required
- salt – to taste
- Coconut oil – as required
For tempering-
- Mustard seeds – 1/4 teaspoon
- Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 teaspoon
- Curry leaves – 1 sprig
- Dried chili – 1
- Coconut oil – as required
How to –
Heat a frying pan, dry roast the coconut, dried chili, whole coriander, turmeric powder and 1 sprig of curry leaves till dark brown but do not burn. Turn off the heat and allow to cool. once cooled blend till smooth paste. Set aside.
In pan, cook the shallots, 1 sprig curry leaves with just enough water to cover the shallots or around 1 – 1.5 cups of water till tender and pale.
Add the ground paste, tamarind pulp, water as required and salt and bring to a gentle simmer, Turn off the heat.
For tempering :
Heat around 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried chili, curry leaves and allow to splatter. Add this to the curry and serve hot with rice.
Foodolicious Pictured 
Delicious
my fav theeyal.. must when I visit my aunt
Just had teeyal today it is one of my favorite curries.
U have done it so well love the ulli shot the best..so beautiful Rekutty.
so flavorful… the pics looks awesome… the color of the curry is too good…
Simply love this theeyal. I roast the shallots slightly in coconut oil before the grinded mix is poured into it. Simply love the aroma that comes when shallots are being roasted in coconut oil. This one looks superb!
Something new for me. But looks delicious.
Not sure about the name of the yet its simply tempting. Shallots are a must, also for most Indian dishes.
Delicious theeyal and nice colour. This is my favourite too.
Theeyal looks delicious
Color is very inviting..I love the recipes with shallots.. Yummy theeyal..
Its been long since I had theeyal…needless to say that I am sitting here drooling over those pictures…looks so delicious
the color looks very much appealing! 🙂 Must try once!
Thanks Rekha for visiting my blog!!! The Theeyal looks terrific and the Ulli Theeyal is my favorite theeyal. Its been a while I had made it though…nice reminder 🙂