Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Onion Pickle


A few days ago, I was wondering why do I dislike making Indian pickles at home. Is it because of that time consuming process? Or is it too much effort like -- bulk chopping, drying in sun etc.? Or that endless waiting while it gets soaked in bottles for days? Or because there's no instant gratification and I have to wait patiently for days? Well, may be perhaps its not my style of cooking, which is usually quick fix meals -- Cut this, cut that, add a little bit of this and a little bit of that, a little fry or boil -- and out of the kitchen! I'm sure its not as easy as it sounds, but I think you know what I mean.

To avoid all the hassle of making pickles at home, I instead prefer visiting an Indian grocery store, pick-up my favorite pickle and satisfy my craving. I've nothing to do with those recipes that are time consuming or with a long list of ingredients, but I'm not cooking them if I can enjoy an equally delicious store-bought product. In fact, I'm not even a serious pickle fan, I can enjoy my meal without any pickle too, but it unquestionably does add a perk to my meal when I have it! While growing up, none of us were too fond of pickles and mom never made it at home too. But I did like it when I tasted it from my friends' lunch boxes during school/college days. Nowadays the store-bought pickles are as good as home-made ones, except my all time favorite ginger pickle. So far, I've not found anything in store thats comparable to my mother-in-law's home-made ginger pickle. So, I don't mind following her recipe and making ginger pickle at home, but only if my hubby comes forward to take the pain of grating that big bulk of ginger!

While browsing a magazine recently, this onion pickle caught my eye, as it looked super delicious in the picture, and appeared to be very simple to make. I surrender when an interesting recipe comes by like this one. May be its my ignorance, but I have never heard of onion pickle until now. Onions as such being such a staple ingredient in Indian cooking, I wonder how were they ignored for pickling! After glancing through the ingredients and instructions, I knew for sure this would come out good, and it didn't disappoint me! It was divine with Curd-rice, and yesterday I couldn't help having a second round of curd-rice with this tongue tickling pickle!

This will stay in fridge for a couple of months.


Ingredients:
  • Pearl Onions/Shallots/Sambar Vengayam - about 25 counts
  • Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp
  • Jaggery - 1 tbsp (optional)
  • Tamarind paste - 2 tbsp
  • Chilli powder - 1.5 tsp
  • Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
  • Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
  • Gingely oil - 1/2 cup (You can substitute with any vegetable oil)
Procedure:
  • Peel off the skin from the onions, and chop them to 1 inch pieces. If they are smaller, you can leave them as such without chopping.
  • Mix the tamarind paste with 2 cups of water.
  • Dry roast the fenugreek seeds and a hot pan, make a fine powder and set aside.
  • In the same pan, heat the oil, season with mustard seeds. Once they pop, add the onions and fry in high heat for 3-4 mins.
  • Add turmeric, chilli powder and salt and fry for a few mins.
  • Now add the tamarind juice, jaggery and increase the heat until it starts boiling.
  • Lower the heat and cover for about 20 mins. Once the onions are cooked fully, add the fenugreek powder, increase the heat and keep stirring until it becomes a thick paste.

Enjoy with Idlis/Dosas/Rotis - tastes best with curd rice! Actually, I enjoyed this with plain rice too and it tasted awesome!

38 comments:

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

how can i not try this being an onion lover. bookmarked.

Unknown said...

Looks yummy!! Wud luv try it sooner!!!

Deepthi Shankar said...

very new .. I have never heard of onion pickle

Finla said...

I would love to try this so so delicious pickle.

Gita Jaishankar said...

Very interesting pickle Sujatha, I cant wait to try this out :)

Unknown said...

ohh lovely recipe looks so yum yum bookmarked

Lavanya said...

looks yummy.very good pickle..i will give a try!!

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

OMG OMG, do you know how tempting those pickles look like oh gosh I miss them... Lovely color...

Cham said...

I am a pickle fan, I ve to check if i have pearl onions in stock. I will try this yummilicious pickle!

Indhu said...

delicious looking pickle :)

Laavanya said...

I love pickles but don't eat them very often. That is a stunning looking pickle and i can't help but drool. I love ginger pickle too and you must post your MIL's recipe sometime. If you lived nearby i would've helped you grate the ginger so I can taste the pickle eventually :D

Dori said...

That does look good, I love onions, too :)

Uma said...

looks so good and yummy Sujatha! I like simplicity of the recipe! Bookmarked to try! :)

Manju said...

im seeing a lot of pickles everywhere..each one better than the other!! :) loved the pic..

Vikis Kitchen said...

Onion pickle looks yummy. Never thought of getting this much glossy finish at home. Nice pics.

Varsha Vipins said...

Oh..my..I so loved this..will try it smetime soon..:)

chef and her kitchen said...

yummy pickle...

Raks said...

I have never tasted or tried onion pickle looks so mouthwatering sujatha!

lubnakarim06 said...

Something new to me. I too never tried a pickle at home. This one looks simple and yum...

Suparna said...

Hi Sujatha,
My hubby is a complete onion fan :) am sure he'll love it! I completely adore the velvety look of the pickle, it's got into my list of 'T&T' thanks for the recipe.
TC

A_and_N said...

that pic should be your header! It truly reflects the name of your blog :)

Deepa Hari said...

Wow...thats a lovely pickle Sujatha...never tasted onion pickle...sounds great and new to me.

Priyameena said...

onion pickle is one of my favorite..During my hostel days it is the saviour..your picture makes me drooling!!

Parita said...

Hi Sujatha, i love this pickle, looks delicious, as onion lover i will definately be trying this out, thanks for sharing :)

lissie said...

Hi Sujatha, the pickle is so yummy! I would like to try this for sure...

Pavithra Elangovan said...

wow this is our family favourite, if there is onion pickle at home i need not make any chutneys it goes with everything.

Pavithra Elangovan said...

I love ur header very much.. Good one

Sujatha said...

Welcome Priyameena, Parita & Lisie to my blog!

Sujatha said...

Pavithra, thanks for your compliments about the header :)

Malar Gandhi said...

Looks so nice...hot and spicy...best with curd rice, right!

ST said...

Looks sooo mouthwatering and tempting...How r u?

Sujatha said...

Hi Sireesha! Nice to see your comments after a loong time! How are you girl?? Hope you've settled well in India now...

Waiting to see your yummy recipes!!

Sumathikarthikeyan said...

Looks yummy.........Wanna taste this.....Will try this pickle....

Shreya said...

Hi, this is indeed new and interesting. Love the pic, and I am bookmarking this to try soon:-)

veena said...

Hi Sujatha ..
great recipe ..never thought of onion pickle b4..its looks so tempting ....

ARUNA said...

wow i will try this......my mouth is watering!!!

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

I tried this and we relished it with 2 servings of curd rice! it's soooo good suja.. thanks.

Sujatha said...

Great Mahimaa! Same here, I have to have a second serving of curd rice if I have this pickle! :) I'm glad you liked it, and its nice of you to let me know.. :)