Seeni Sambal Sweet and Spicy Onion Relish
Elevate your meals with Seeni Sambal, a rich and flavor-packed sweet and spicy onion relish that’s a staple in Sri Lankan cuisine. This slow-cooked condiment combines caramelized red onions, aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, and a perfect balance of tamarind pulp, sugar, and chili flakes for a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. The simmered relish transforms into a sticky, deeply flavorful accompaniment that pairs beautifully with rice, curries, or even a slice of bread. Ready in just 40 minutes, this versatile onion relish is easy to make and can be refrigerated for up to a week, making it a convenient option to add bold, authentic taste to your day-to-day meals.
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Ingredients
- 500 grams Red onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon Dried chili flakes
- 1 stick Cinnamon stick
- 4 whole Cloves
- 3 pods Cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 tablespoon Tamarind pulp
- 50 grams Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 50 milliliters Water
Directions
Step 1
Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
Step 2
Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods to the hot oil and sauté for 30 seconds to release their aroma.
Step 3
Stir in the sliced red onions and cook on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until the onions become soft and caramelized.
Step 4
Add the dried chili flakes and tamarind pulp to the onions and mix well.
Step 5
Stir in the sugar, salt, and water, and simmer the mixture for 5-10 minutes until it thickens and becomes sticky.
Step 6
Remove the cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods before serving.
Step 7
Let the Seeni Sambal cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Step 8
Serve as a relish alongside bread, rice, or your favorite curries.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (612.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 497.4 |
| Total Fat 28.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 4.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2409.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 64.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 14.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 28.5g | |
| Protein 6.7g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 212.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 2.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 934.0mg | 0% |
Source of Calories