By Nandini Bhushan*
The cuisine from the five southern states of India — Tamil Naidu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is grouped together as the South Indian cuisine. This cuisine offers a wide range of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian delicacies that is sure to delight one’s taste bud. Let us explore the mouth-watering dishes from the Southern Indian states to experience the essence of each of these states.
Also try: Indian Food Recipes: Medu Vada
Avial
This hearty and satisfying dish is a healthy mix of vegetables, curd and coconut with a finishing of coconut oil and curry leaves. Avial is a traditional mixed vegetable from the southern part of India that is highly popular and enjoyed best with steamed rice, pickle and papadam.
Ingredients
Drumstick: ½ cup
Yam: ½ cup
Carrot: ½ cup
Ash gourd: ½ cup
Green beans: ½ cup
Yellow pumpkin: ½ cup
Brinjal: 1 cut into medium-sized cubes
Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
Curd: ¼ cup
Coconut oil: 2 tsp
Curry leaves: 10 to 12
Cumin seed: 1 tsp
Salt as required
For the coconut paste
Grated coconut: ½ cup
Cumin seed: 1 tsp
Green chilli: 3
Step 1
Coarsely grind the grated coconut along With cumin seed, curry leaves and green chilli.
Step 2
Cut all the mentioned vegetables into the same size.
Step 3
Take enough water in a thick bottom pan and cook all the vegetables until soft.
Step 4
Once tender, add the curry leaves, turmeric powder, four slits green chilli and salt.
Step 5
Next, add the coconut paste to the vegetables and let it simmer for about ten minutes.
Step 6
Add the beaten curd along with oil and cook it for another couple of minutes.
Step 7
Once the vegetable mix turns to the desired consistency, Avial is ready to be served.
*Nandini Bhushan is a well-known food blogger
