Avial

Avial is a popular South Indian side dish. Steamed vegetables flavored with coconut, curd and other spices. It is a pretty flexible recipe. Use any vegetable you want. Avial recipe very from region to region and home to home. Some may like the taste of adding curd, some may not. Some want it dry and few will prepare in the form of gravy. Anyway, the basic ingredient for avial is lot of veggies evenly cut and cooked. Tempering with coconut oil enhances the taste of avial.

Avial is originated from Kerala, It is a main dish served at the special day called Onam. The recipe is healthy and easy to prepare in home.

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Brinjal – 1 cup, cut lengthwise

Drumstick – 1 cup, cut lengthwise

Potato – 1 cup, cut lengthwise

Carrot – 1 cup, cut lengthwise

Beans – 1 cup, cut lengthwise

White pumpkin – 1 cup, cut lengthwise

Raw banana – 1 cup, cut lengthwise

Raw Mango – ½ cup

Curd - 2 tbsp

Water

Salt to taste

For Grinding:

Coconut grated – 1 cup

Green chili – 5 to 6

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Shallots – 1

Garlic pod- 1

For tempering:

Coconut oil – 2 tbsp

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Urad dal – 1 tsp

Curry leaves – 1 spring

Method:

1. Take all vegetables in a heavy bottomed vessel, add in water. Cover with a lid and bring it to a boil. Simmer it till the veggies are half cooked.

2. Add raw mango and salt, cook till the veggies are completely cooked.

3. Grind the ingredients given under grinding into a coarse paste.

4. Heat oil in a vessel, temper with the ingredients under “for tempering”. Add the grounded paste and saute till the raw smell disappears.

4. Now add the cooked veggies and mix well. Add curd and Cook for 5 mins and serve hot.