Avial is one of the simplest vegetarian dish with loads of nutrients. Power packed with veggies I should say. At home Mom had made it a habit for us to eat all types of vegetables including the bitter gourd. At first we used to just hate it but now I just love all kinds of vegetables. Thanks to my mom. :)
Avial is a part of the Onam Sadhya or for that matter any vegetarian sadhya in Kerala. It is a thick dish with a mixture of vegetables along with coconut and curd. There are many vegetables that can go into avial but the most common are carrot, drumstick, yam and plantains. The other options are to add bitter gourd, long beans, beans, vellerikka (Cucumber), bottle gourd. In this dish the vegetables are steamed and very little oil is used.
INGREDIENTS
Mixed Vegetables - 3 - 4 cups
( Carrot, Yam, Beans, Long Beans, Drumstick, Cucumber)
Turmeric - 1 1/2 tsp
Yoghurt - 1 cup
Grated Coconut - half a coconut
Green Chillies - 4
Curry Leaves - 2 sprigs
Coconut oil - 1 tbsp
Salt - as required
METHOD
Chop the vegetables into 2 inch long pieces.
Cook the vegetables with water just to cover them along with turmeric powder and salt.
Once the vegetables are cooked open and cook so that any excess water is fully evaporated.
Grind the coconut into a paste( no too smooth or coarse).
Remove vegetables from fire and add the ground coconut. Mix well without mashing the vegetables.
Let it cool for 2-3 minutes.
Stir the curd to remove any lumps.
Add the curd to the vegetables. Mix well slowly seeing to that all the vegetables are well coated.
Add salt if required.
Pour coconut oil over the dish.
Add fresh curry leaves.
Keep it covered for a while to bring out the taste and aroma of the dish.
Tips
Use thick and slightly sour curd/yogurt.
Do not heat it after adding curd.
For other Onam Sadhya recipes please click on the link below:
1. Puli Ingi
2. Olan
3. Kalan
4. Pineapple Pachadi
5. Kumbalanga Pachadi
6. Beetroot Achar
7. Koottu-Curry
Sending this to Kalyani's event Healthy Lunch box ideas
