Aviyal

അവിയല്‍ 

Avial is a traditional kerala recipe and an essential part of Sadya(A vegetarian Feast). This dish is prepared by cooking a variety of vegetables and mixed with coconut and yoghurt/curd and seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves. In some regions of kerala, tamarind is used instead of curd. You may use any vegetables of your choice that are locally available. The most commonly used are yam, raw plantain, ash gourd, drumstick, carrot, beans etc.

Ingredients:

Assorted vegetables* – 3-4 cups, cut all the veggies lengthwise 

Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Green chillies - 3 or 4

Water – 1.5 cups

Salt

Coconut – 1/2 cup

Jeera/Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp

Shallots - 1 or 2

Yoghurt/Curd – 1/4 cup or a little more if you like

Coconut oil – 1 tsp

Curry leaves - 1 to 2 sprigs

* - I  used a large potato, a raw plantain, 2 carrots, 2 drumsticks and 5-6 french beans

Preparation:

1. Cook the vegetables with turmeric powder, green chillies, salt and water.

2. Meanwhile grind coconut, jeera and shallots coarsely without adding water. When the veggies are 3/4th cooked, add the coconut mix and combine well.

3. Cook till the vegetables are done. They shouldn't get mashed. Switch off the stove. Beat the curd well and add to the cooked vegetables. Add coconut oil and curry leaves and combine well.

Prawns and Drumstick Curry

ചെമ്മീനും മുരിങ്ങക്കായും 

A typical kerala style dish called Chemmeenum Muringakayum in malayalam. This is my mother's recipe. I have used lot of shallots (small/sambar onions) in this curry.

Ingredients:

Small Prawns - 200 gms
Drumsticks - 2 nos
Shallots chopped - 4 to 5
Green chilly - 2 or 3 slit lengthwise
Ginger chopped - 2 tsp
Garlic chopped - 2 tsp
Tamarind - 1 inch square piece
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilly powder - 1 to 2 tsp
Salt


To grind:
Coconut - 3/4 to 1 cup
Shallots -  1 or 2 as per size
Jeera/cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp

For seasoning:
Oil (Tastes best with coconut oil)
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp (optional)
Shallots chopped - 2 or 3
Curry leaves

Preparation:

1. Soak tamarind in hot water and make a pulp. Add 1/2 cup water to this and also add turmeric,chilly powder and salt and stir.
2. Heat a pan and pour the tamarind masala water.
3. When it starts boiling, add the cleaned and cut drumstick pieces, shallots,green chillies, ginger and garlic. Cover and cook till drumsticks are half cooked.
4. Add the prawns and cook for a few minutes.Add water if required.
5. Meanwhile grind the ingredients listed under 'To grind' with a little water.
6. Add the ground coconut to the curry and stir well and bring it to a boil. Switch off the stove.
7. Do the seasonings in a different pan and pour it to the curry.

This curry tastes better after few hours/next day. Best served with plain/brown rice.