Kerala Style Ulli Theeyal Recipe

Theeyal is a typical kerala dish which has its own variation throughout regions. As the name Theeyal implies you have to burn the coconut for making it dark. Coconut and the other spices are roasted to a dark brown colour and the veggies are cooked in tamarind and coconut sauce. Since I am from Kanyakumari here i am gonna share the recipe which my grandma has taught me. At home we prepare this curry atleast once in a week usually on wednesdays and this goes well with any thoran(stir fried veggies which is tossed with coconut) dish. This curry can be prepared using many veggies(brinjal, drumsick, yam, raw jackfruit, yellow pumpkin..) and legumes(pigeon peas/perumpayaru, kabuli channa/ kondakadalai). But this ulli theeyal is the basic recipe which can be altered depending on the veggies you prefer. Usually we save the dry coconut / Koppara thengai for making Theeyal, you can use fresh coconut also, just it takes some more time. This curry wont taste good if you prepare it with big onions, only shallots are preffered for this curry. I will show you how to prepare this Ulli Theeyal with stepwise pics.

Servings 5

Author sathyapradeep

Ingredients

To roast

3/4 cup Coconut
5 Shallots
1 tsp Peppercorns
3 tsp Coriander powder
1.5 tsp Chilli powder
Curry leaves
1 tsp Oil

For curry

1.5 cup Shallots
Curry leaves
15 Garlic Optional
Tamarind gooseberry size
2 tsp Coconut Oil
Salt
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds

Recipe Notes

In a kadai heat oil, add onions, peppercorns, curry leaves and coconut. Sauté on high flame till it turns dark brown. Now switch off the flame and add the spice powders in. Mix it well. Make sure it doesn't get burned. Let it cool completely and grind it to a smooth paste.

Heat the remaining oil and splutter mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds. Add shallots and curry leaves. Add salt and saute for 2 mins.

Now add garlic. (This is completely optional.) Mix well and let it get cooked for 5 mins. Add the tamarind extract and cover it with a lid. Let the tamarind boil nicely for 2-3 mins.