Aviyal

Aviyal is a Kerala dish prepared with different vegetables, coconut and yoghurt. The most commonly used vegetables for this dish are potatoes, raw plantain, long beans, yam, pumpkin, drumsticks, carrots. In some parts of kerala ( south), this dish is prepared with tamarind or mango instead of yoghurt.

Ingredients :
Potatoes - 1 big or 2 small peeled and cubed
Carrots - 2 peeled and cubed
long beans - 1 cup chopped
drumsticks - 1 cup
raw plantain - 1 peeled and cubed
yam - 1 peeled and cubed
Sour Curd ( yoghurt) - 2 cups finely beaten
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp

For the mixture :
coconut - 1/2 - 1 cup
cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Green chilli - 2-3

In a blender, grind all these 3 together to a fine paste adding little water. Keep this aside.

Preparation :
Take all the cut vegetables in a pressure cooker and cook until 1-2 whistles. If you are cooking them in a microwave, cook them for 15mins. Once the vegetables are cooked, drain some water( keep this vegetable stock) and add all the vegetables in a cooking pan, add turmeric, salt and cook covered for few minutes. After few mins, once all the vegetables are soft to touch, add the coconut-chilli paste to the vegetables , stir it now and then and cook it covered on med flame. After 5mins, add the finely beaten curd to this . Check the consitency and add water( vegetable stock) if required. Finally when the avial is ready, do the seasoning.

For Seasoning :
Oil ( coconut oil or any oil) - 1tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1tsp

In a tadka pan, add the oil and when its hot, add the mustard seeds. when they crackle, take off the stove and add to the avial.