Aviyal / Onam Aviyal

Aviyal is a Kerala speciality. One of the important dishes prepared on Onam. However, it is not just limited to Onam day celebrations. Aviyal is more of a comfort food in Kerala. It has a lot of vegetables cooked with coconut gravy and mixed with curd/ yogurt in the end. It goes well with rice.

Ingredients
Vegetables 

• Drumstick, Yam, Kothavarangai (split beans), Carrot, Beans, raw banana. - 250 gms
• Salt - as required
• Turmeric powder - 1/4th teaspoon
• Curd/ Yogurt - 1/4 litre

Aviyal

To grind

• Coconut - 1/2 cup
• Jeera - 1 teaspoon
• Green chillies - 4

Seasoning

• Curry leaves - 1 sprig
• Coconut oil - 1-2 teaspoon

Preparation

1. Clean and cut all vegetables lengthwise and set it aside.  Grind all items under "to grind" into paste. 
2. Pressure cook all chopped vegetables with water, salt and turmeric until it is 70% cooked. Then add the coconut paste and cook closing the lid until the raw smell of the coconut leaves.
3. Finally pour the yogurt and switch off the stove immediately. Do not let it boil. Pour coconut oil over the dish and throw in the curry leaves.

Aviyal

Tip: - Aviyal usually tastes better the next day after preparation. I seasoned the dish using coconut oil, mustard, a pinch of jeera and curry leaves in the end. It is only optional.