As much as I love coconut, especially in the form of Coconut Chutney, I buy it fresh from Little India about once a month and freeze it in small batches which does make thawing it quicker but not quick enough when I am really really hungry for breakfast and the only thing that stands between me and hot, steaming idlis is a stupid lump of frozen coconut.
This Onion Chutney is handy for those days because it’s a chutney recipe with no coconut and the onions get browned in less time than it needs for you to steam your idlis or make your dosa / uthappam.
Indian Onion Chutney Recipe | Vengaya Chutney Recipe
Preparation time: 4 minutes
Cooking time: 8 minutes
Makes 1/2 cup of chutney
Ingredients:
3 large onions, sliced thin
4-5 dry red chillies (adjust to taste)
1 pinch of hing (asafoetida or perungayam)
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 small piece of tamarind (optional, I rarely use this)
1 tsp of salt (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp of nallennai or Indian sesame oil (or any oil you prefer)
How to Make Vengaya Chutney:
1. Heat the oil and add the sliced onions. Sautè until it turns pink and transparent.
2. Add the red chillies, hing, and garlic, along with salt.
3. Continue to fry in medium heat until the onions turn golden brown.
4. Cool and grind to an almost-smooth chutney (add the tamarind, if using) without adding water
5. Serve chutney with idli or dosa
Step by Step Pictures for Making Onion Chutney:
1. Heat oil and fry the onions until pink.
2. Add the chillies, garlic, hing, and salt.
3. Fry until onions turn golden brown.
4. Cool to a temperature your mixie or blender can handle.
5. Grind (with the tamarind, if using) to a smooth chutney. Water not required.
Serve with idli, dosa, uthappam, etc.
Notes:
– Replace the onions with shallots (chinna vengayam, ulli) for a different flavour and if you have the patience to peel them.
– You can add some water to the chutney if you want a looser consistency. You can also temper the chutney with some mustard seeds popped in some oil. I have not tried this. My complicate a simple thing?
I prefer Vengaya Chutney undiluted, untempered, and thick. It’s delicious!
vileena says
December 24, 2016 at 6:20 pmsuper anniii your recipes romba pudichupochu
nags says
January 3, 2017 at 10:10 amhaha thanks
Charul @ Tadka Masala says
February 23, 2013 at 11:46 amI love this part of south indian cuisine, chutneys. They are so simple to make, with very very minimal ingredients and yet they are so delicious and enough to complete a meal. Loved this one too! Will try soon. 🙂
maybeinmadras says
February 22, 2013 at 11:54 pmMy husband made the same thing last weekend. He used tomato instead of tamarind, I think. But it tasted delicious nonetheless!
Kadhyaa says
February 21, 2013 at 2:29 pmvery different way of making onion chutney 🙂 my chutneys are always with coconut base…
Sona S says
February 21, 2013 at 7:43 amone of my favorites, looks yum!
Arthy Suman says
February 21, 2013 at 6:19 ammy favorite chutney of all time, this is the first chutney i have accepted in my life…hahaha
Sathya Sankar says
February 21, 2013 at 4:57 amChutney looks wonderful, will work best for the busy mornings!
Dipti Joshi says
February 21, 2013 at 4:53 amIt is very easy to prepare and it is good for those having heart problems. Generally for heart patients coconut should be avoided, but now they can have this spicy, tangy accompaniment for their idlis.
Veena Theagarajan says
February 21, 2013 at 1:38 ammy fav chutney too..
Vijitha Shyam says
February 20, 2013 at 8:41 pmSimple, easy breezy chutney. We make this a lot for idly.
divya says
February 20, 2013 at 4:34 pmSuper tempting and yummy
Jeyashrisuresh says
February 20, 2013 at 2:19 pmWe make a similar one with small onion ,nothing can beat this combo with idli , dosa, chapathi , curd rice …Yum
Rita Bose says
February 20, 2013 at 1:47 pmOnion chutney looks great Nags!!