Caramelized Onion Relish

Sri Lankan food is a combination of spices, herbs, meats, vegetables, rice, and fruits. Sri Lankan cooking traditions are based on local ingredients. Many Sri Lankan dishes are centred around the main rice, rice flour and coconut. There are plenty of curries and they have immense flavours and colour combinations which are derived from our spices. Sri Lankan spices add great flavour to our dishes also adds ayurvedic value to our meals. Apart from that in Sri Lanka, you can taste the same dish prepared in different methods. Whenever you are in Sri Lanka don't forget to taste our traditional food dishes. 

Caramelized Onion Relish / Seeni Sambol

Caramelized onion relish also known as Seeni Sambol is a traditional and famous dish in Sri Lanka. It is a combination of sweetness, spiciness and sourness taste.

Ingredients:

• Onion – 500g 
• Chilli flakes – 2 tbsp
• Pandan leave piece
• Curry leaves
• Green chilli – 2
• Tamarind to taste
• Chilli powder – ½ tsp
• Pepper powder – ½ tsp
• Curry powder – 1/8 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Cardamom – 5
• Cloves – 5
• Cinnamon 
• Sugar – 3tbsp
• Cooking oil

Instructions:

1. Cut the onions into thin slices and put them into a bowl.

2. Add sugar, red chilli flakes, chilli powder and curry powder.

3. Mix well and keep aside.

4. Get a pan and add 3 tbsp of oil and heat oil.

5. Add curry leaves, pandan leaves, green chilli as oil getting hot.

6. After 1 minute add cardamom, crushed cloves and cinnamon.

7. After 1 minute add marinated onion into the hot pan. Mix them. Let it cook on medium flame.

8. Stir this mixture occasionally.

9. Now close the lid and let it cook for another 1 minute.10. When the onion mixture cooked well, open the lid and add tamarind paste ( mix with 1 tsp of saltwater) and mix well.

11. Now turn off the flame and close the lid until it turns into blackish colour.

Now our Seeni Sambol is ready to serve.

You can taste it with bread, milk rice, rice, string hoppers or any meal you like.