Aviyal is a mix of vegetables with coconut paste and made into almost dry dish.The explanation does not end there because it is the most famous dish from the state of Kerala. One of the most important dish served on the plantain leaf for a traditional feast.
Aviyal has so many true and mythical stories behind its origin.
I am not going to take you there:)
If I say I am fond of aviyal then that is an understatement because anytime I fell ill as a kid mom made me aviyal to cheer me up, I mean have u ever heard of that !! Seriously I am known for my aviyal 'ishtam' in my circle that I am always served a heap as second helping by default . As if that is not enough my in laws too have taken up that task seriously.
I must admit MIL (Amma) makes the best aviyal .I can never say no when she lovingly serves it .N number of people would be served aviyal anytime she makes but amma ensures she has saved some for me.I may not be the best or ideal daughter- in- law yet she takes great pride in those honest complements.I can tell those young girls out there reading this,sincere approval of cooking skills is the number one entry ticket to MIL's heart !
I am more fond of the leftovers the next day to be heated up and simmered on slow flame in the urali adding more coconut oil. Ahhaa..it tastes divine.. all those who have tried would nod their heads in approval and others I deeply regret to say u have been missing the door to foodie bliss ,an indulgence only sadhya lovers will understand..
For sadhya we do not use garlic or shallots as it gives a non vegetarian flavor.Towards the Southern side this aviyal is made but as you go to the Northern side of Kerala avial is made with curd/yogurt instead of tamarind and or mango.Here is one such AVIAL (Palakkadan style).
One last word before u go to the recipe avial is a very simple dish to make. The perfection lies in cutting and cooking the veggies to right consistency with out mashing it. Just remember not to use any slimy vegetable like okra,taro root etc.If it is hard to find these veggies given below go for the ones u know will hold the shape till the end thats all.
Ingredients:
Kumbalanga / Ashgourd- 1 cup or less
Padavalanga / Snake gourd- 1/3 of 1 whole
Chena /Elephant yam-3/4 cup ( u can use frozen suran)
Muringakkai / drumstick-2 (u can use frozen)
Neelan payar / String beans-5 or 6
Kaya / Raw banana-1/2 of 1 whole( do not discard the green peel)
Carrot- 1
Kovaka / Tindora- 5 or 6 (u can use frozen tindora)
Vazhuthanga / Brinjal- 2 if small
Raw mango - 1/3 of 1 whole (depending on tartness)(peeled)
To grind:
Coconut grated -1 1/2 cup
Jeerakam/ cumin- 1/4 tsp
Green chili -2 ( more if u can stand the heat)
Chili powder - 1/2 - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Tamarind paste- 1/4 - 1/3 tsp (reduce if mango is tart)
Salt to taste
To season:
Coconut oil- 1 tbsp
Curry leaves - few
Method:
1. Cut all the veggies into 1/4 inch thickness and 1 1/2 inch long pieces.
Very coarsely grind the coconut and the rest of the ingredients (given in to grind).
2. Heat a wide mouth heavy bottom pan pouring a glass of water add Suran/Chena first and after few minutes add all the rest of the vegetables cover and cook .Check in between to ensure the water has not dried up completely if so then add little water.When 1/2 cooked add the mango , brinjal mix well then spread the coarsely ground coconut and a green chili on top put the lid back and cook for 3-4 minutes.
(Aim is to cook all veggies evenly so always add veggies which need longer cooking time first)
.3. Mix the aviyal gently without crumbling the pieces cook for a few minutes until all the water has dried up and the coconut coats all the veggies well .Level the top of aviyal with spatula and spread some curry leaves lightly crushed with fingertips finally drizzle coconut oil .Level the oil on top don't mix immediately.Let it rest keep it covered (This is known as patrapaakam) and before serving mix again gently .
Serve along with other feast dishes and rice.
Note:
- I use store bought grated coconut that is almost finely grated so I take it in a bowl with crushed jeera add the rest of the ingredients and give a couple of squeezes with my hand to mix everything well and it works fine instead of grinding coarsely as I hate really fine paste.
- Vegetables that can hold shape well are only used .We generally do not use any root veg except yam and carrot.
- Use only small quantities of each vegetable as everything together adds up and makes a lot.
- When using green vegetables like snake gourd and string beans it tend to give a greenish color to aviyal so u may reduce the quantity of it if u like.
- Note that turmeric powder,salt chili etc are added when the veggies are almost cooked.
Shree
drooling here. I have also started with the prep, kaalan already done. Now gearing up for erissery. Nice clicks Meena !
Maha Gadde
love d idea of mixing these veggies.def this is a super awesum post.thanx
Navaneetham Krishnan
You just reminded me about how much I am missing the flavors of this authentic Kerala dish. Let me gather the ingredients, make and have a wonderful meal over it.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Shee. Wow good going !!
Meena Kumar
Thank you Usha.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Nava,do try this u will like it.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Sabee welcome to aviyal circle.:)
Meena Kumar
Ha haa welcome to the avial circle.I was adamantly waiting for the fresh raw mangoes and all the right veggies he hee.. U wont believe how many times I have photographed avial and kept in my draft.:)
Thank u Rekha.
sangeetha pn
Wow.. so beautiful meena.. 🙂 I loved the top landing page logo.. You reminded me of my school days! 🙂 Avial looks delicious .
Sebeena Loyd
Meena, i can't take my eyes off your aviyal. I'm sharing your love for Aviyal here. Beautifully done.
Rekha Vengalil
Meena loved the pics 🙂 Avial is my all time favorite too 🙂 wonder y we took so long to post it 🙂
Priya Kheroun Tessy
Meena, avial looks stunning!!! Photos ellam excellent especially the labelled veggies:)
nandoos Kitchen
Avial looks great. As a Keralite I have grown up with it. You have done it perfectly.
Rafeeda AR
U wudnt blv Meena... I was watching umma make avial 2day n just like u said, she mixed coconut n yogurt with chilli n cumin 2 make it curry like. But I personally favor the dry 1, which is like a side dish... thanks 4 sharing dear... learning quite a lot frm all of u... 🙂
Linsy Patel
this is one dish I still have to try, its our our undhiyu, you can have all the vegetables and cook in coconut gravy. you got perfect recipe for this so very near future its going to be in my dish too. will let u know.
easyfoodsmith
I absolutely love avial coz it has the goodness of so many veggies and it is light. I will try it soon. Thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂
Reni
This is my favorite ! looks simply amazing Meena !
Abbe Townsend
You're making my mouth water, Meena!
Bhawna Bagri
Wow Meena, it's lovely idea to eat all vegetables .....looks fantastic.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Sangeetha.:)
Meena Kumar
Thank you Priya.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Nandoos.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Rafee I am so glad u like this aviyal.:)
Meena Kumar
Please try it Linsy and let me know do publish undhiyu recipe too.Just Google to find out,it is a traditional Gujarati dish I would like to try that.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Taruna please try it and let me know if u liked it.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Reni welcome to the circle.:)
Meena Kumar
Thank you Abbe. I am so glad u liked it.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Bhawna.
Sona S
Perfectly made avial. Looks very delicious and tempting.
Priya
Meena, you are absolutely tempting me with your Aviyal. It looks perfect and made just the way I like it. Raw Mangoes is my first choice for sourness too 🙂 The Techie is no fan of Aviyal (Weird is all I will say ;)). So I rarely make it. And yeah, shower some praises on the Mil's cooking skills and she is all yours 😉
Ambreen (Simply Sweet n Savory)
Looks so tempting, delicious aviyal with all these vegetables!
Kalyan Panja
Just mouthwatering...looks delicious!
Priya Suresh
This dry version of aviyal looks wonderful, i can have these delicious aviyal with some rice.
Nilu A
Looks good and perfect with rice or for me even chapati Meena.. Thanks for sharing dear 🙂
Chitz
Ohh, my good gracious heavenly lord.. Vaayikumbol thanne enikku naavil vellam oorunnu.. Yes, the perfection lies in cutting the veggies & cooking them without getting mashed.. Loved the look of it.. And yes, sheriya, next day avial tastes even more divine.. I guess I miss this the most in Norway 😀
Swathi Iyer
Aviyal adipoli Meena, ente favorite annu, My mother makes super aviyal. I miss her and her aviyal.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Sona.
Meena Kumar
Oh Techie doesn't like aviyal!!It is such a waste to cook something just for one person then.
Seriously Mils deserve their share !!
Meena Kumar
Thank you Ambreen.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Kalyan.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Nilu aviyal goes well with rice or dosa.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Priya.
Meena Kumar
Chitz thank you so much.
Meena Kumar
Thank you Swathi.