Caramelized Shallots- Indian Style Pyaaz Ki Sabzi

Here's a fantastic and super simple recipe that helps use up those shallots, baby onions, and regular onions lying unloved for days together in that onion basket on your kitchen counter:

Pyaaz Ki Sabzi

Ingredients: 

Note: Eyeball measurements, and tasting as you go is the way to go.

1. Shallots: 6-8

2. Coriander Powder: 1-4 tsp

3. Red Chili Powder: 1-4 tsp (depends on your desired level of heat)

4. Turmeric powder: a pinch

5. Asafoetida (hing)- a pinch

6. Cumin seeds: 1 tsp

7. Sugar: a pinch, just to enhance sweetness of the shallots

8. Salt to taste

9. Cooking Oil: 3-5 tsp

10. Water: 1-2 tbs

Optional: Anardaana (pomegranate seeds) and aamchur (green mango powder) : a pinch each

Method:

1. Peel shallots, wash, dry, cut into halves if you like, else keep whole.

2. Make a spice paste using turmeric, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt.

3. Temper cumin seeds, add a pinch of asafoetida powder. Add shallots to this. Stir fry on medium flame for a few minutes, until shallots are browned good enough. Be careful not to burn them. We simply want a nice golden brown color. Sprinkle a pinch of sugar over the shallots. This allows for enhancing their natural sweetness. If you like some tartness, you could add a pinch each of anardaana and aamchur. This also adds a nice color.

4. Add the spice paste, and stir everything. The 1-2 tbs of water in the spice mix is good enough to soften the shallots. Lower the flame, and cover pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes until shallots are beautifully soft as well as caramelized.

 
Serve with fresh phulkas, rotis, or parathas.

Pyaaz Ki Sabzi is also a wonderful idea when you are all out of ideas!! No, really!! ;D