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5.0 from 6 votes

Seeni Sambol

Seeni sambol (or sawi sambol) is an onion-based condiment from Sri Lanka, a variant of sambal, popular in South East Asia.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 232 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Sri Lankan

Ingredients

  • 1 lb yellow onion (or red onion), thinly sliced
  • 1½ tablespoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup tamarind juice
  • A few curry leaves
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 1 pod green cardamom
  • 2 cloves
  • ½ tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Maldivian fish flakes or powder (umbalakada)
  • 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the red pepper flakes and the sugar.
  2. Season the onion with salt and mix well.
  3. Place a saucepan over medium heat and dry heat it.
  4. Add the onion and cook over low heat for 4 minutes, covered, stirring regularly.
  5. When all the water from the onions evaporates and they become a bit translucent and start to brown a bit, add the oil, curry leaves, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.
  6. Mix and cook again, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
  7. Remove the lid and cook, uncovered, for 3 minutes over high heat, stirring frequently.
  8. Add the tamarind juice, and the sugar and red pepper flakes mixture . Season with salt.
  9. Mix and cook, covered, over medium heat, for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  10. Remove the lid, add the Maldive fish (umbalakada), stir well and cook again over low heat for 3 minutes.
  11. Taste and add salt, if necessary, as well as sugar and red pepper flakes, if necessary.