Aviyal / Avial is a great sidedish and is one of the main items in onam sadya.I am not good at eating veggies so from my childhood days amma always sneaks veggies in whatever ways possible and this aviyal is one among them and till date its my favourite.Adai with Aviyal is a great combination so pair you can either pair it with adai or with plain rice.
Aviyal Recipe - Ingredients
Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 25 mins | Serves : 2
Recipe Category: Sidedish | Recipe Cuisine: North Indian
Recipe Category: Sidedish | Recipe Cuisine: North Indian
Mixed Vegetables - 2.5 cups chopped(I used potato,yam,carrot,beans,ashgourd,cucumber,raw mango,drumstick,raw banana)
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Thick Curd - 1/4 cup
Salt - to taste
To grind to a coarse paste:
Coconut - 1/2 cupJeera - 1/2 tsp
Green Chilli - 1
To Temper:
Coconut Oil - 1.5 tspCurry leaves - few
Method:
- Boil water in a vessel and the veggies along with salt and turmeric powder. I first added the veggies that takes longer to cook(drumstick,beans,carrot,potato) then when its half cooked added the other veggies - take care not to mush the vegetables, make sure the veggies are crunchy.Drain water and keep the veggies aside.In a blender - add the ingredients listed under ' to grind to a coarse paste'.
- Grind it with little water to a coarse paste.In a kadai add the cooked veggies along with the coarse paste.Sprinkle little water and cook till raw smell of coconut leaves just saute for for 3-5mins.
- Add required salt, give a quick stir and switch off.Meanwhile heat coconut oil and add curry leaves allow it splutter then add this seasoning and curd to the aviyal and mix well.
You can make it gravy kind or thick as per your preference. As I heard from mallus aviyal is usually made thick so its easy to serve it in banana leaf(vazhailai) for onam sadya.
My Notes:
- Cut the veggies lengthwise not too small as it will get mushed up easily.There is no specific quantity for each veggie - add it as per your choice.
- The consistency of aviyal can be adjusted as per your preference.
- The key to a perfect aviyal is to cook each veggie perfectly.Also grind the coconut mixture coarse and not too smooth.
- Adding coconut oil enhances the flavour and gives it the traditional kerala aviyal taste so dont skip it.
It is such a delight to see the colorful aviyal being served in the onam sadya. I love it with plain rice and even accompany it with any spicy variety rice.
