AVIAL

Avial is one of my favourite kerala onam sadhya recipe and usually prepared with seasonal vegetables. Its an integral part of kerala cuisine prepared as a side for everyday meals or on special occasions and festivals like onam and vishu. 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

 

1Carrot

1 Drumstick

5-6 Colocasia/Chemb

1/4 kg ElephantYam/Chena

10 nos French Beans

1/4 cup resh Coconut   grated
1 sprig Curry Leaves
5-7 Green Chili slit into half
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp Turmeric powder
1/ cup  Tamarind Water
Salt to taste
1 tsp Coconut Oil 

 

Method

Grind coconut , cumin ,  turmeric and salt and coarsely and keep aside.
Cut all the vegetables into 2 inch strips .

Cook vegetables and chillies with turmeric and salt .
When vegetables are cooked add the coconut mixture, tamarind water  and curry leaves.
Mix everything well together and simmer for 5 minutes.
Finish with coconut oil and serve.

LADIES FINGER THEEYAL (VENDAKAY THEEYAL)

Theeyal literally means burnt dish and gets the name because the primary ingredient in it is the ground mixture of roasted (close to being burnt) coconut with some great spices. The gravy is typically dark brown and has a dominant tangy taste . This dish is very popular in Kerala and  is made either with Ladies finger or Pearl Onions.
 

Ingredients

1 kg Ladies Finger , cut into round

1/2 cup Grated Coconut
2 onions finely chopped

8-10 Green chillies cut into round

2 tsp Chilli powder

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

3 tsp Coriander powder

2 tsp Tamarind pulp (according to your taste)

1/2 cup Water

1 tsp Fenugreek powder
1 tsp mustard seeds
few curry leaves

Method

In a pan, dry roast the grated coconut, turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, fenugreek powder until brown and aromatic. Turn off the gas and keep aside. 

Dissolve the tamarind pulp in 1/4 cup water and keep aside. Grind this roasted coconut with some of the tamarind water to make a smooth paste.

Heat little oil in a pan. and add mustard seeds . 
Now add the ladies finger , chopped onions and chillies with a little salt.  Saute till ladies ginger becomes soft.
When 1/2 done, pour the ground paste and the remaining tamarind pulp and water. Cover and cook. Let everything come to good boil. Check for the salt and spice. 
Enjoy your theeyal with rice.

 

RAJMA MASALA

Ingredients:

2 cups Red kidney beans (rajma), soaked overnight
2 medium onions, finely sliced
3 medium tomatoes sliced
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 tablespoons red chilli powder
1 tablespoons garam masala powder
2 tbsp oil

 

Method

Soak Rajma beans Overnight (or atleast 6 hours).

Pressure cook Rajma with five cups of water and salt till totally cooked and soft.

Heat oil in a frying pan  and fry onions for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add ginger  garlic paste and continue to sauté till the mixture turns golden.

Add tomato pieces, mix and continue to cook.

Add red chilli powder and cook till the oil leaves the masala.

Add the cooked red kidney beans along with the  water.

 

Add garam masala powder and salt.

Lower the heat and simmer for about fifteen to twenty minutes on low heat.

Serve hot with roti .

 

BHINDI KALIMIRI

Ingredients

1 kg Bhindi or Okra sliced diagonally
1onion sliced finely
2 green chilies
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp pepper powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp olive oil
salt as per taste

Method

Heat oil in non-stick frying pan. Add olive oil , when hot add cumin seeds.
After it splutters add sliced onions and green chilies, turmeric powder , saute till soft.
Add sliced bhindi , saute for 2 minutes.
Add chilli powder, pepper powder along with salt and saute on low flame.
Keep it covered with a lid and stir in between .
Add pepper according to your taste , as the recipe name it has lots of pepper powder.
Note - Cut the bhindi and keep it aside on a plate for 1-2 hours, the stickiness of bhindi reduces

TOFU BHURJI

'Tofu' is a healthy alternative for paneer though the taste of tofu would not match the taste of paneer exactly.  It is basically bland in taste and hence it can absorb the flavors beautifully.I make this dish often enough for the fact that it is simple, pretty fast, quite effortless and it is loaded with protein and practically zero fat!

 

 

Ingredients

1 packet Tofu

1 large onion finely chopped

1 large capsicum finely chopped

2-3 Green chillies,finely chopped
1/2  tsp Red chilli powder

1/2 tsp Garam masala

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

Black pepper as per taste

Salt to taste

1  tbsp Olive Oil

 

 

Method:

Heat oil in a kadai and add finely chopped onions and green chillies and fry until the onions turn pink.
Now add finely chopped capsicum and fry for a minute and saute for 1 minute.
Now add garam masala,red chilli powder and turmeric powder and fry for a minute.
Add crumbled tofu and salt and give a good mix and saute for a couple of minutes.
The mixture should be moist and not dry,and cook for a minute. Add pepper powder and mix.
Switch off the flame and enjoy this bhurji with rice .

SHEZWAN CHILLI POTATOES

Ingredients

2 large potatoes
1 large onion
1 large capsicum
1 large tomato
1 tsp soya sauce
2 tsp tomato sauce
1 tsp chili sauce
2 tsp chopped garlic
2 tsp chopped Ginger
6 green chilies chopped
2 tsp cornflour
1 tsp pepper powder
salt as per taste

Method

Cut potatoes into cubes. Mix corn flour and salt to the potatoes  and deep fry.

Cut capsicum, onion and tomato in cubes and keep aside .
In a pan heat oil and add ginger, garlic, green chillies and onions. Saute for a minute.
Now add soya sauce, chilly sauce , tomato sauce, capsicum, onion, tomatoes and stir fry for a minute.
Add fried potatoes  , salt, black pepper and saute for 2 minutes.
Serve hot with Chinese fried rice or noodles.
Note - You can add the sauces according to your taste.
 

ALU SHALGAM SABZI

Turnips and potatoes are a marriage made in heaven. This is eaten in north Indian households on a daily basis. Pair this with a simpe, dal, rotis or rice .

 

 

Ingredients

2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3 medium turnips or shalgam cut into 1/2 " cubes
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 onion chopped finely
2-3 green chillies chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp garam masala 
1/2 tsp chilli powder 
1 tbsp tomato paste
Salt as per taste 
2 tbsp oil 
1/4 cup coriander leaves chopped

  

Method:

Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them brown.
Add the onions and green chillies, saute till golden brown.
Now add the turmeric powder, garam masala, chilli powder, and salt , saute for 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes cook a bit and turn pulpy.
Add the potatoes, turnips, and green peas. Stir well.
Add the water, bring to a boil.
Add the cilantro, cover and cook 15-20 minutes till the turnips and potatoes are cooked.
Uncover, and cook a few minutes on med-high to let any excess water evaporate (if needed).
Garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve.