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Raw Onion Relish

3.1

(2)

Kache Piaz

In India, most dry meat preparations such as kabobs, _tandoori_food, and cutlets are eaten with raw onions, because the onions provide moisture against the dry meat. Besides, these meat dishes taste better with onions. The onion slices are often squeezed slightly to extract and remove some of the juices; this is done to reduce the impact of too sharp and hot a taste. The onions are washed in several changes of water to rid them of any clinging juices; this also makes them taste less sharp. If you want the onions even milder, soak the squeezed onions in salted water to cover (about 1/4 teaspoon of salt per cup of water) for 1/2 hour, and drain. This will make the onions taste sweet, and best of all, there will be no onion odor lingering in your mouth. To make this salad more aromatic, add leaves from 2 or 3 sprigs of fresh coriander.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

3 medium-sized onions, preferably red
1 green chili, seeded and sliced (optional)
Juice of 1/2 lemon, or 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Kosher salt to taste

Preparation

  1. 1. Peel onions, and cut them in thin slices. Separate the shreds, and wash them in several changes of cold water, squeezing them slightly. Be careful not to squeeze the shreds too hard, or you may crush them. Put them in a bowl, add chili, and sprinkle them with lemon juice or vinegar, and salt. Toss. Serve immediately.

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From Classic Indian Cooking © 1980 by Julie Sahni. Reprinted with permission by William Morrow and Company, Inc. Buy the full book from Amazon.
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