3small hot chili peppersor 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
8clovesgarlicpeeled
2large onionsabout 1 pound, peeled and cut into eighths
1/2poundshallotspeeled and halved
1/2teaspoonground fenugreekor whole fenugreek ground in coffee mill
1/2tablespooncurry leavesthinly sliced (optional)
2teaspoonscumin
1teaspoonmustard seed
1/2teaspoonturmeric
1/4teaspoonfreshly ground nutmeg
1/8teaspoonground cloves
1/2tablespoonsalt
1/2teaspoonfreshly ground pepper
Instructions
Remove the stems from the peppers, place them in a food processor with the garlic, and process until minced. Add half of the onions and pulse to chop coarsely. Remove from the processor and repeat with remaining onions and shallots until all are coarsely chopped.
Spray a large skillet with canola oil and heat on medium-high. Add the chopped vegetables. (Turn your face away as you do this because the fumes will cause you to tear up!) Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom, until onions begin to brown, about 15-20 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients and stir well.
Preheat oven to 350. Cover a 4-sided baking pan with parchment paper, spray the paper lightly with canola oil, and transfer the onion mixture to it, spreading it out as thinly as possible:
Spray the top of the mixture lightly with canola oil. Bake until browned and most moisture is gone, 1 to 1 1/4 hours, stirring regularly to break up the onions as best you can. Be careful not to burn!
Cool, break up any large clumps, and store in the refrigerator up to one month or the freezer up to six months.