AVIAL

Avial is prepared with various kind of vegetables in coconut based gravy.  It is the speciality of Tamilians as well as Keralities.  During the feast, this is one of the main dish which is served.  By mixing up the vegetables, all the nutrients, fibers, vitamins and minerals are made available in one dish.

It is a very tasty main dish as well as side dish.  This can be served with rice, roti.

AVIAL

Let us look at the recipe now:

Ingredients:

 All the vegetables to cut  thinly  lengthwise

1 drumstick
1/2 cup white pumpkin
1/2 cup red pumpkin
1/4 cup yam
1 small carrot
4-5 french beans
handful of  fresh green peas
1 small raw banana
2 tsp coconut oil
salt as per taste
a pinch of turmeric powder
1/2 cup curd (slightly sour)

to grind

1/2 coconut grated (if the yield is less take one full coconut)
4-5 green chilli
1 red chilli (optional)
If you are using red chilly, the colour slightly changes into reddish.
1/4 tsp cumin seeds

garnishing

few curry leaves

Method:

wash and cut the vegetables into thin lengthwise pieces not very thin.
boil water around 11/2 cup and add the yam, drumstick, beans, banana
cook covering the same for 5 minutes and then add the other vegetables
add turmeric powder, salt cover and cook.
Ensure that the vegetables are not overcooked and mushy.


when it is almost cooked, you can remove the cover and cook open so that the water is evaporated.
In the meantime, grind the items mentioned under "to grind" and add to the cooked vegetables, mix and bring to a boil.
beat the curd and add to the vegetables.   simmer for a minute and switch off gas.


add the coconut oil, curry leaves and serve hot with rice, roti, or as a side dish with sambar rice.

Variation:

You can skip the coconut process if you wish to make it without coconut.  If you are using raw mango pieces or raw tomatoes, use only little fresh curd.  I made paratha out of the left over Avial.