5/24/12

South Indian Thali

When Srivalli had announced her Thali Mela ,I was in full josh to send in my entries for it. But as I got to saw the wonderful creations of my fellow bloggers, I some how felt that I could not match with their talent. But this is my humble South Indian Thali that goes to Srivalli's Thali Mela



This time around Tamil New Year s day was not a big affair at home with my maternal uncle being hospitalized. Mom and me had made this simple lunch for the day . It had 

  • Avarakkai Sambhar
  • Avial
  • Mangai Pachadi
  • Curd
  • Appalam
I will be giving the recipe for each of the dish in separate posts and link it back to this post. As of today,
 I will share the recipe for Avial.




Avarakkai Sambhar


Mangai Pachadi


Avial

Ingredients

Carrot - 1/2 cup 
Beans - 1/2 cup
Brinjal - 1/2 cup
Drumstick - 1 cut into 1 inch pieces
Onion - 1 cup
Broad Beans -1/2 cup
Cluster beans - 1/4 cup
Yam - 1/4 cup
Raw Banana - 1/2
Curd - 1/2 
Coconut oil- 1tsp
Mustard seeds and Curry leaves for seasoning
Salt to taste

For gravy

Scrapped coconut - 1 cup
Green chilies - 4 - 5
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Method

Cut all the vegetable into thin long pieces ( I feel this adds beauty to the dish)
Steam or boil , carrot, beans, broad beans, cluster beans separately
Boil drumstick and Brinjal separately
Boil yam and raw banana separately
The reason for boiling or steaming each vegetable separately is, each has its own time to cook
Each vegetable needs to be cooked well but not mashed, hence it is always better to cook them separately
In a blender take the ingredients for gravy and make a fine paste, add very little water
In a heavy bottomed wok or kadai add a little oil.
When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and allow them to sputter
Add the cut onions to it and saute till done
Add the boiled vegetables to the wok and mix well
Add the coconut paste to this and add salt.
Let this mixture boil well and reduce to form a thick gravy consistency
Check for salt and add the curry leaves to the Avial

Remove from fire and let the Avial cool.
Now add curd and coconut oil when the Avial is cool. 
This adds an authentic flavor of Kerala to the dish



Avial is always an integral part of any auspicious function at home and is a specialty dish of both my grandmothers. 

Check what my fellow marathoners are cooking today. 
This South Indian Thali is being served at Valli's Thali Mela

16 comments:

Srivalli said...

That's ok Kamalika, I am fine with such wonderful everyday thali too..:)..thank you

Priya Suresh said...

Kamalika, ur thali makes me hungry seriously, sambhar,avial omg its been ages i had them.

Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen said...

Looks yum, Avial is my Fav!!!!

Nalini's Kitchen said...

simple and yet delicious thali,your avial makes me drooling....

Unknown said...

simple yet and wonderful! love all the creation on it1

Anonymous said...

I'm an ardent Avial fan too. On days when i prepare the stuff, i cook it in large quantity and eat that alone for lunch!

Rasi said...

Avarakkai sambhar reminds of my hometown.. i don't do it often though.. thali looks nice.. quite like the spread..avial s my fav!

Sangeetha M said...

wonderful spread...sambar,pachadi,avial looks too inviting!!
Spicy Treats

Pavani said...

Yummy & comforting dishes.

divyagcp said...

Delicious dishes.. Very comforting thali..

Divya's Culinary Journey
Showcase- Desserts

Jayanthi said...

I love avaraikai sambar....love the unique smell, flavor, and taste that it gives to the sambar. Nice one.

Jayashree said...

Simple thalis are often the best, Kamalika.

Unknown said...

your thali makes me droool perfect and yummy thali.

The Pumpkin Farm said...

nice thali Kamalika....will wait for the recipe of Mangai pachadi..looks delicious....when you do...please link it to my evetn wehere i m collectign recipes

vaishali sabnani said...

this is awsum...lovely spread:)

Cool Lassi(e) said...

Avial looks amazing!

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