For everybody there must always be something that reminds them of their childhood likes and wants right. In my case, I end up thinking about them in every turn and twist. I sometimes wonder if it only me or with everybody? I hardly find such thoughts hovering over hubby dear's mind. I guess its more to do the gentle genes that we women posses or so I want to think!
Coming back to my original thought process, I was pondering over the fact that I ended up reminiscing lot more over my teenage days upon seeing a dish. That actually sounds weird to me at times. But then guess I got to live that. So when Amma made this Avial sometime back, it got me remembering those lovely Saturday lunches spent drooling over a feast. She used to ensure Saturdays were vegetarian specials and used to rotate my favorite dishes. I always cherish over how our parents made us feel so special to them, infact they still do. And I try very hard trying to make my children feel so too.
Well when Amma made this Avial, she also happened to tell Athamma that I used to love this. So you can imagine what happened next. Athamma kept some for me for the dinner and even at the late hour I got back, I saw a bowl sadly waiting for me, which I couldn't taste. So she was telling me that I should attempt at it another day. One thing led to another and you find me discussing it here today! With great hopes I planned for a lunch to be paired with Pappu Chaaru, as this was the combo I used to love. It got to be either Sambar or a thinner version. I remember the most South Indian wedding feast is incomplete without this avial.
So I was only too happy recording the way Amma makes at home!
Before that, I just wanted to mention that I finally came about to have an About me page! its nearly 2 years overdue!.:)
Today's Lunch Box had
Pappu Charu
Avial
Rasam with rice
Curd with Rice
Avial
Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : 10 - 15 mins
Cuisine: Kerala
Serves : 3-4 medium servings
Ingredients Needed:
Vegetables to be cut in the same size.
Yam, Arbi (Colacasia), Ash Gourd/White pumpkin (Budida gummadikaya), Carrot, French Beans, Cluster Beans, Black eyed Peas (Karamani), Potato, Raw plantain - 50 gms
Drumstick - 1
Thick Curds/ Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Cooking Oil - 2 tsp
Curry leaves few
Grind the following to a smooth paste:
Coconut - 1/2
Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
Green chilli - 4 nos
Method to prepare:
Prep the vegetables and cut them into equal size. If you are using pressure cooker, add salt and water enough to cover the vegetables and put it on high flame, you should switch the flame when the first whistle is about to go. This way the vegetables are half done. Drumstick can be added in the end, so that the shape is retained.
Remove the cooker lid and bring to boil, when it starts boiling, add the coconut paste. Mix well and bring to boil again.
At this stage, add the thick curds and stir well.
In another pan, heat the oil and temper with curry leaves. Pour this hot oil into the boiling pan. It should be done within 2 minutes.
Note: When using coconut oil, it can be added without heating.
Authentic recipe calls for coconut oil, but for those who don't like it can use regular cooking oil
Update on the Mithai Mela:
Thank you everybody for the overwhelming response! I am still trying to wade the sweet assault, will try to do the round up by June 1st, please bear with me.
Have a great weekend!
Ramya Vijaykumar says
Wow Srivalli, Avial looks very delicious and creamy!!! its looks wickedly delicious!!! I havent made it on my owmn...
Divya Vikram says
Lunch box seems filling n yummy! Avial looks creamy and delicious!
Kalai says
My favorite!! We make it almost the same way, Valli.
meeso says
This is a nice post, food can bring such good feelings 🙂
Priya says
My favourite dish...looks very delicious and excellent!
Anu says
Avial looks so delicious!!! Loved the lunch box spread 🙂
Sharmila says
I have always loved Aviyal ... and u know what ... it was only recently that I came to know that grinding the coconut with the green chillies and cumin was the actual magic in it. 🙂
Love your lunch series Sri! 🙂
Prathibha says
Avail look svery creamy..yummy...
Pooja says
Avial is looking creamy and delicious..
jayasree says
Avial looks delicious. Agree with you on the gentle genes part. You said my thoughts there. I too keep going back to my childhood days often.
RAKS KITCHEN says
I love avial,Its long time since I made!
Urs looks so colorful and yummy!
Suparna says
Hi sri,
lol...I totally agree on the gentle genes part. U reflected so much of my thinking 🙂 I to go baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack to my yester years now and then :)it's not so long ago but times are changing at rocket speed!!
hmmmmm....wonderful series, best way to down vegetables without complaining is Avial ofcourse! looks stunning. I coming over to ur palce for a couple of days ;)lol
ENJOY!
TC
Nirmala says
Avail is my all time favorite Valli and I can live on it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. yeah am that much crazy. The entie combo looks very comforting for me. And congrats on getting in to Hindu! am really rpoud of u 🙂
Shreya says
Avial is my all time fav! the lunch box looks so satisfying:-)
Mahimaa's kitchen says
avial brings good memories of my childhood days too..... amma used to make them on weekends.
Parita says
Avial looks very delicious and creamy..yum yum..
sumita says
Srivalli,
Your recipes are wonderful.
I didnt read many of your posts between Sep and Feb.
Just want to know how your house help's daugther is doing? Is the surgery done?
Keep doing good work...
Srivalli says
Thank you guys!...sure feels good to see Avial being such a favorite!
sumita, she is doing better..will convey your regards to them..thanks!
Chef Mireille says
Like the creamy consistency. Looks great