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Mulak Chammanthi

Kerala Mulak Chammanthi Recipe | Spicy & Sweet Onion Chutney

A delicious and easy Kerala-style Mulak Chammanthi (Red Chilli Chutney) prepared with Kashmiri chillies, shallots, tamarind, and a hint of jaggery. This spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet chutney requires no added water and pairs wonderfully with hot rice and dal, making it a perfect quick side dish for busy days.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish / Chutney
Cuisine: Kerala / South Indian

Ingredients
  

  • Coconut Oil: 1–2 tsp
  • ​Kashmiri Dry Chillies: 15–20 nos less spicy
  • ​Shallots Small Onions: 20 nos
  • ​Tamarind: Lemon-sized piece cut into small pieces
  • ​Salt: As required
  • ​Jaggery: A small piece

Equipment

  • Kadai / Pan
  • ​Wooden spatula
  • ​Mixer Grinder

Method
 

  1. Heat a little coconut oil in a pan on low flame.
  2. ​Add the Kashmiri chillies and fry them lightly until crisp without burning, then remove and set aside.
  3. ​In the same pan (add a little more oil if needed), add the peeled shallots and sauté them well.
  4. ​Add the small pieces of tamarind to the shallots and continue to sauté for a short while, then switch off the flame.
  5. ​Transfer the fried Kashmiri chillies, sautéed shallots, and tamarind into a mixer grinder jar.
  6. ​Add the required amount of salt and a small piece of jaggery for that special balanced taste.
  7. ​Grind everything together without adding any water until you get a paste.
  8. ​Serve the mouth-watering Mulak Chammanthi with hot rice and parippu curry (or rice and congee).

Video

Notes

​Make sure to use Kashmiri chillies so that the chutney doesn't become overly spicy and is suitable for everyone.
​Always use small onions (shallots) as they give the authentic and best flavor.
​Do not add any water while grinding; it should be ground dry into a thick paste.
​Adding a tiny piece of jaggery enhances the flavor with a pleasant touch of sweetness.