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Challas/Saralas (Kerala Onion Salad)


Challas or Saralas or instant pickled onion is Kerala's own onion salad, which is a must with Kerala fish fry, biriyani, chicken fry, or even plain roti.


My brother, Nibu loves challas so much that for him it is a staple thing along with roti or even with beef ularthiyathu and I guess that "gene" is passed on to my daughter, Nidhi.....she just cannot do without challas. Yesterday, when I made pomfret fry for her, I thought I will share this forgotten simple salad....I remember, as a child for every family gatherings there will be a big bowl of challas and we used to have it with beef cutlets.Overtime, this instant pickled onion slowly vanished from dinner tables, but my brother and daughter always insist on them with their favorite fries.

Author: Nisa Homey
Ingredients:
Onion: One large, thinly sliced.
Green chilly: 1, thinly sliced (optional, I did not use here as the fish fry I served was spicy enough)
Vinegar (I used vinegar made from coconut water) : 1 tsp.
Water: About half to one cup.
Salt: A big fat pinch or as needed.

Method:
Place thinly sliced onions onto a plate, add water....simply squeeze out the water.

Add in the vinegar and salt....it is best to rub everything together with your hand.
Instant pickled onion salad is ready.


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Comments

  1. Suja ManojOctober 24, 2013 at 11:08 PM

    Love the clicks and the instant salad.

    ReplyDelete
  2. divyaOctober 25, 2013 at 4:21 AM


    Wow looks delightful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ROctober 25, 2013 at 4:44 AM

    looks so fresh and tasty!

    ReplyDelete
  4. v.s.banuOctober 25, 2013 at 11:44 PM

    Even i make tis salad akka for biriyani as a side dish. But in a slightly different method. Thnks fr sharin.


    ReplyDelete
  5. Priya SureshOctober 26, 2013 at 4:46 AM

    Omg, i want those fried fish with this fantastic onion salad..inviting platter there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nisa HomeyOctober 26, 2013 at 2:13 PM

      I love fried fish too....thanks Priya for stopping by :-)

      Delete
  6. SwathiOctober 26, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    I tasted them from hotel, sure going to give it try tomorrow. Delicious fish fry.

    ReplyDelete
  7. shobha's ZayakaOctober 27, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    Very fresh & tempting salad............loved it.
    shobha
    www.shobhapink.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  8. mjskitOctober 28, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    Well, that was easy! I wasn't expecting to see the recipe to be so easy. Being a HUGE onion lover, I know I'll be making these soon. Thanks Nisa!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SharonDecember 24, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    Same here nisha chichi... we make it a bit diff in ernakulam, with red chili powder,coconut oil vinegar , salt and onions....its on our menu toward with ney meen fry and biryani for Christmas lunch.. :). Merry Christmas in advance chichi... from our home to yours

    ReplyDelete
  10. SIJIFebruary 25, 2014 at 1:38 PM

    Hai mam,
    how to make vinegar from coconut water???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nisa HomeyFebruary 25, 2014 at 7:53 PM

      Hi Siji, you get bottled coconut vinegar these days, I have not tried making it at home personally!

      Delete
    2. SIJIMarch 1, 2014 at 1:51 PM

      Thanks mam......thanks for your reply.... i like ur homemade styles in recipes.... dats y i asked so...luv u a lot....>3

      Delete

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