Kerala style Avial recipe | Glutenfreewhisk

 This is my first try making Avial because it's Onam and I have decided to make two Sadhya dishes. Avial is not just a South Indian recipe, but it has a long historical story to it which is quite fascinating. The story with Pandavas, especially Bhim in the kitchen in Mahabharata. Don't want to elaborate it as my facts might be incorrect because I am not a very historical knowledge kind of person but listening to chef Ranveer Brar really makes you learn something new. Anyways, this Kerala style Avial recipe is something that is served in the traditional massive Onam feast Sadhya and I wanted to make it from the longest time. I finally got hold of drumsticks in the market and I am making the most of them.

Everyone must have had mix vegetable sabzi right. In North India mix veg is not everyone's cup of tea and is made in wedding buffets in almost every wedding. And in our homes, we hate when our mother makes all the left-over vegetables together calling it a dish. This avial recipe is also a version of mix veg, but the flavors are excellent because the use of curry leaves and coconut just makes it so better and amazing to eat.

Avial is not just a mix veg. I realized after I had it. It has that curd and coconut flavors that makes it a really good recipe. Ideally a different set of vegetables are used and over the years people have modified it as per liking. So, I am using my combination which does not include ash gourd, or yam. I am sorry for this change and for many this might be a modern version of Avial, but I have never had ash gourd before, and I don't eat yam, so I had no choice but to choose vegetables that I actually eat. I wanted to enjoy every bite of this recipe, so I have used my favorite potatoes, yellow pumpkin, carrots, drumsticks, and beans.

This Onam, the harvest festival I am making just two Onam Sadhya recipe. One is this Kerala style avial recipe and the another is Chana dal payasam recipe. I am making both these recipes for the first time, and they turned out to be so yummy and perfect that I can eat them on repeat. I have heard a lot of people especially chefs say that there is so much more to South Indian food and now that I have visited Bangalore and Fort Kochi, I can say that yes, it is absolutely true and there is so much more than just dosa and sambar. Also, trying these yummy South Indian recipes at the comfort of my kitchen I can still say that South Indian food is just exceptional.

In the past I have shared some more amazing recipes from South India that I make regularly at my home. Like the OG sambar recipe and I make my own sambar masala as well which adds to the beauty of the recipe even more. Also, I have shared the simplest coconut chicken curry recipe for the love of coconut and every time I make it reminds me of South India. Because no one celebrates coconut as South Indians do. You can also try my recipe of podi masala that I am making on repeat and eating it with my maize flour roti every other day. I just love podi and this time I have made moringa podi and I just love it. If you are a coconut lover like me then I have two amazing coconut chutney recipes and it is difficult to choose any one of them as favorite. One is refreshing coconut chutney recipe and the other is coconut chutney with roasted chana.

I hope I am doing justice to all the South Indian recipes I have made so far. For most of the recipes that I see online I always add my version to it but for this Kerala style avial recipe I haven't done many changes except for the use of vegetables than the original one. I have used the vegetables I can eat and not the traditional vegetables used. And I am adding some fresh moringa leaves with curry leaves. Rest I am following the avial recipe I have learnt from some South Indian chefs on social media. 

This recipe should be made on repeat in every home because it is yummy, packed with nutrients and fiber and if you love coconut like me then this recipe deserves a spot in my favorite recipe list. 

INGREDIENTS -

2 small Carrots, 

3 medium slices of yellow Pumpkin 

1 big Potato 

4-5 Drumsticks 

10-15 Beans

2 tbsp Moringa leaves 

1 sprig Curry leaves

Salt, to taste

Half a tsp Turmeric powder

2 tbsp Oil

1 tsp Grated ginger

1 medium red onion

2 and a half slices Fresh coconut 

2 Green chilies 

handful of Coriander leaves

Water

2 tsp Roasted cumin powder

Half cup curd, whisked

METHOD -

1. In a pan heat some oil and lightly roast grated ginger. Then add all the vegetables of choice. I am using carrots, potatoes, beans, drumsticks, and yellow pumpkin. Make sure you are slicing all the vegetables in similar shape and size so that the cooking time for all is approximately the same. If you are doubtful regarding the overcooking of one vegetable and under cooking of the other, then you can start by cooking the one that will take the longest time first and once it is half done add the next and so on.

2. Add a little salt that will help the vegetables to cook and release their water, a little turmeric powder, curry leaves and moringa leaves. Cover and cook. If you feel like you can add a dash of water so that the vegetables do not stick to the pan. Cook until they are 80% done

3.  In a blender jar blend onion, fresh coconut, green chilies, coriander leaves, salt and roasted cumin powder and blend to a paste. Add it to the 80% done vegetable pot and mix. Next add the whisked curd, mix well again cover and let everything simmer.

4. Make sure there is no water in the pan while you add the coconut onion paste or the curd because then there will be too much water and you will not get a dry vegetable and evaporating the excess water will lead to over cooking of vegetables.

5. Once the vegetables are full done. Remove from the heat and serve hot with rice and indulge.

Note - Traditionally, in avial recipe ash gourd and yam are used but I have used the vegetables that I eat and over the years this change has happened in the recipe. So, you can use your choice and mix of vegetables. Do not add to much of water or over cook the vegetables.

Check the full recipe on YouTube (Gluten_free_whisk) - Kerala style Avial recipe.

Avial recipe Kerala style | Glutenfreewhisk