Avial (Mix Veg. curry)

Avial is a must have for feasts on all special occasions like, marriages, Onam, Vishu, etc. It's an all veg dish. I am not a great fan of veg. dishes, but I like this one and even crave for it at times.

Try it out... enjoi...

Preparation time: 10 Mins.

Cook time (incl. Prep. time): 15 Mins.

Serves: 6

Spice level: Mild

Ingredients:

1. Elephant Yam (Chena) - 3 Oz.

2. Green Plantain (Pachakkaya) - 3 Oz.

3. Drumsticks (Muringakkol) - 3 Oz.

4. Squash (Vellari) - 3 Oz.

5. White Gourd (Kumbalanga) - 3 Oz

6. Carrot - 3 Oz.

7. Green Chillies - 5 (Slit)

8. Yoghurt - 6 Tbsp.

9. Fresh Scraped Coconut - 1 1/2 Cup (or all from one half of the coconut)

10. Fennel Seeds

11. Shallots - 2 (Large)

12. Ginger - 1 inch piece

13. Curry Leaves - 15

14. Coriander Leaves - 2 strands

15. Coconut Oil - 1 1/2 Tbsp.

16. Black Pepper Powder - 1/2 Tsp.

17. Water - 1 1/2 Cup

18. Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Clean the vegetables (ingredients 1 - 6) and cut into 1 1/2 inch long medium thick pieces.

2. In a large sauce pan cook the cut vegetables along with water, green chillies and salt for about 15 mins. or until the vegetables are 3/4 cooked.

3. Reduce the flame and add 3 tbsp. yogurt, shredded coconut and cook for another 5 minutes or until the vegetables are fully cooked

4. Meanwhile grind fennel seeds, shallots, ginger and 3 tbsp. yogurt into a fine paste.

5. Add the paste to pan and cook it until the curry starts to boil.

6. Turn off the flame. Mix in coconut oil, curry leaves, coriander leaves and pepper powder.

7. Cover the pan with a lid and let it settle for about 10-15 mins.

8. Avial is ready to be served. It goes good with rice.