Avial

Avial is a typical Malayali dish made with a mix of vegetables, curd & coconut. It is prepared with much gusto, especially during festivals, weddings and other special occasions.

Even though this dish is a side-dish, it is sometimes made with gravy and eaten with rice.

I always thought Avial was a very difficult curry to make, hence never gave it a try…till last week that is. I made it on Onam, and surprisingly it turned out well. And was very easy to make too.

Chinkurli had wanted to know the recipe of Avial and I’d said that I would share it if my attempt turned out fine.

Also, when Sari mentioned that Ona-sadya reminded her of me, I was so thrilled that I felt the best way to thank her was by sharing the recipe of this dish which is such an integral part of Ona-sadya 🙂

So, Chinkurli, Sari, this one is for you :)…

Ingredients

Vegetables ( Yam, Pumpkin, Ash Gourd, Plantain, Beans, Carrot, Drumsticks, all cut in long thin pieces)- 2 cup
Turmeric– 1 teaspoon **
Curd– 1/2 cup
Scraped coconut– 1 cup
Green Chillies– 4-5
Coconut Oil– 2 teaspoons
Curry leaves– 3-4 sprigs
Salt– taste

Avial made @ Deeps'

Method

– Place all the vegetables in a thick bottomed vessel.

– Add turmeric and salt and sprinkle some water over the vegetables.

– Cook the them till they are soft. Make sure the vegetables don’t break or stick to one another.

– Coarsely grind the coconut and green chillies and mix them well with curd.

– Add them to the cooked vegetables and stir carefully.

– Remove from fire.

– Put some coconut oil and garnish the avial with curry leaves.

** Turmeric is an optional ingredient. In some parts of Kerala, Avial is prepared without turmeric.

TIP: Avoid using too much of water when preparing it as a side-dish.