Best Indian Onion Relish Recipe (Vegan)
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Indian Onion Relish
Onion Relish
This is a recipe that many may look at and wonder how it could ever taste good. The lemon juice in this relish counters the onion flavor beautifully to create a very delicious dish. This relish is perfect for any curry night with friends and family. You will want to have naan bread or popadums available for your guests to dip into this, or you could simply add it to your meal as a condiment.
This is a very basic dish that is a great appetizer prior to your main meal. Its tart spiciness pairs well with a tangy raita with cucumber. These two simple dishes can be combined to make for an excellent appetizer.
Cook Time
| Prep time | Ready in | Yields |
|---|---|---|
15 min | 15 min | 1 cup of relish |
Ingredients
- 1 red onion
- 1 lemon
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
Instructions
- Dice your red onion into small pieces. If you would rather, you can slice into thin pieces. It is important that your onion pieces are very small or very thin. (See note below on how to cut the onion without crying.)
- As an optional step, you can soak the onion or squeeze the onion as mentioned below to reduce its potency.
- Place onion in a bowl and squeeze the juice of one lemon over the onion.
- Mix the lemon juice into the onion. Make sure all of the onion has been coated in the juice. I find my fingers work best for this part.
- Now add your paprika and cayenne pepper. Mix again.
- If you would like, you can garnish with a lemon wedge. Once done, this relish should be served right away.
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Step-by-Step Visual Guide
Indian Onion Relish
How to Chop Onions Without Crying
When you cut an onion, a gas is released from the vegetable that causes many people to cry. Here are a few quick and easy ways to avoid crying when you cut an onion.
- Cut the onion under water.
- Place the onion in the freezer for 15 minutes prior to cutting.
- Use a very sharp knife. A clean slice prevents the onion from getting crushed.
- Light a candle nearby. The flame will draw in the gas.
Calming a Potent Onion
Soaking in Cold Water
If you find that the onions are just too strong and you want to take some of the spicy bite out of them, simply soak the onions in cold water for about 15 minutes. This will make your onions taste milder. This recipe calls for a red onion, which is generally more sweet and mild, so you may not need to do this.
Pressing and Squeezing
If you don't want to soak your onions, you can also press your onions between two paper towels and try to squeeze some of the juice from them. I find this to be more troublesome, and it takes the crunch out of the onion as well.
Soaking in Saltwater
If you would rather have very mild onions that are sweeter, you can soak the onions in saltwater. Try using about 1/4 teaspoon of salt for every cup of water. This method will make your onions sweet, and they won't leave a lasting flavor in your mouth. This is the best method if you are planning to serve this dish at a party, since many people will feel uncomfortable or feel worried about having onion breath.
Lemon Juice Will Help!
Lemon juice also minimizes the onion's intensity. The lemon juice cuts the spicy bite from the onion very well. I encourage you to try this recipe without using the above methods to reduce the potency of the onion; you may be pleasantly surprised by how well the lemon accompanies the raw onion flavor.
