Avial is a traditional Keralite dish which is made almost in all districts of Kerala. Have you ever wanted to make Avial and had searched for the traditional recipe? Then read below and you will know the traditional south Keralite style of making Avial.
Introduction to Avial :
We all know that Kerala has 14 districts and the dishes made in each and every district varies, also the name given to the dishes differs. But Avial is a vegetable dish that is know by the same name in all the districts of Kerala. It is a very healthy dish as it contains almost all the vegetables that are abundantly available in Kerala. Avial is an unavoidable dish during Sadhyas.
I have explained below the method of making Avial the South Keralite way.
Ingredients :
Potato : 2Nos
Brinjal : 1No
Tomato : 2Nos
Raw Banana : 3Nos
Beans : 4-5 Nos
Carrot : 1-2 Nos
Drum Stick : 1-2 Nos
Yam : 1/4th of a big Yam
Ash Guard : 1/4th
Snake Gourd : 1/2
Green Chilly : 5 Nos
Salt : to taste
Garlic : 3 flakes
Curry Leaves : 2-3 Sprigs
Cumin Powder : 1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp
Grated Coconut : 1/2 cup
Coconut Oil : 1 tbsp
Method of Preparation :
Wash all the above said vegetables (Upto No. 10) and chop them in rectangular shape. It is better if all the pieces are approximately of the same size.
Pour some water in a vessel and put all the chopped vegetables in it. Keep it on the stove and allow it to cook. Make sure that the water you pour is very little as these vegetables have water in themselves.
Meanwhile chop the green chilies and add 3 green chilies to the vegetables.
Grind the grated coconut together with turmeric powder, rest of the chopped green chilies, garlic, 1 sprig of curry leaves and cumin powder by pouring little water to it.
Once the vegetables are cooked, add salt to it and then add the coconut mixture to it.
Allow it to cook for 1-3 minutes. Then switch off the flame.
After switching off the flame, pour coconut oil to the dish and add the remaining curry leaves to it. Close the lid and keep it aside for few minutes.
Take out the lid and serve hot with rice or chapatti.
Tips related to Avial :
If you do not like the flavor and taste of garlic, instead you can use small onion.
Never add lot of water to the vegetables as this dish hardly has any curry.
To make your job easy, you can cook these vegetables in a pressure cooker and then add the gravy to it.
After adding coconut do not cook for long.
Pouring coconut oil at the end adds to the odor of the dish.
Job oriented