Avial

Aviyal, one of the classic curries of Hindu community in Kerala, is made with many different vegetables cut into matchsticks cooked in a coconut and tamarind sauce. This dish is an essential part of every Hindu wedding and holiday feast.

Ingredients for grinding

• 1 cup Grated Coconut

• 1/4 cup chopped onion

• 1 teaspoons tamarind concentrate

Ingredients for Ground Masala

• 1/4 teaspoons cumin powder

• 1 teaspoons cayenne powder

• 1/8 teaspoons Turmeric powder

Ingredients for Curry

• 1 cup Snake gourd (Padavalanga)

• 1 cup Green beans

• 1 cup Drumsticks (Muringakkai)

• 1 cup Yellow yam (Chena)

• 1 cup Yutia

• 1 cup Carrots

• 1 cup Plantain

• 1/4 cup Carrot

• 1 cup Egg Plant

• 3 or 4 Green chillies

• ¼ cup Yogurt

• 4 tablespoons Coconut oil

• 2 sprigs Curry leaves

• Salt – As reqd

Instructions

1. In small bowl combine the tamarind with 1/4 cup hot water. Using your fingers, thoroughly break up the tamarind. Set aside

2. In a blender combine the coconut, onion and ground masala with 3/4 cup water (or more) and process to the consistency of thick pesto.

3. Cut all the vegetables into 2 x 1/2 inch matchsticks. Cut green beans into 1 1/2 inch length. Combine the cut vegetables, green chilies, salt, cayenne, and turmeric with 1 cup water in a deep pot and bring to boil. boil vegetables for 5 minutes. add tamarind juice and boil for another minutes.

4. Stir the coconut mixture into the cooked vegetables, turn the heat down to medium, and simmer until vegetables are completely cooked and sauce is thick (5 to 10 minutes). Add more water if the mixture gets too thick.

5. Sprinkle in the curry leaves and coconut oil. Simmer for another minute and remove from heat.