AVIYAL

INGREDIENTS

1. Vellarikka (cucumber), raw banana, elephant yam (chena), carrot, brinjal(vazhuthinanga), drum stick (muringakka), string beans(achinga payar), snake gourd (padavalanga) - 2 cups when cut
2. Turmeric powder - 3/4 tea sp
3. Salt
4. Green chillis - 4
5. Red chilli - 1
6. Cumin seeds - 1 pinch
7. Grated coconut - 3/4 cup
8. Thick tamarind extract - 1 table spoon
9. Coconut oil - 1 table spoon + 1/2 tea spoon
10. Curry leaves - 3 sprigs
11. Small onions - 2 (optional)

METHOD

1. Clean and cut the vegetables into thin 1" long pieces(muringakka should be cut into 2''long pieces)

2. Smear the inside of a pan with 1/2 tea spoon oil. Add 1/2 cup water, 1/2 tea spoon turmeric and 1/2 tea spoon salt and mix. To this add the vegetables and cook till almost done .

3. Add tamarind extract and salt if needed and cook again.

4. Make a coarse paste of coconut, red chilly, 1/4 tea sp turmeric , a little salt and cumin seeds without adding water. Crush the onion and 4-5 curry leaves and mix in the paste. Add this to the vegetables and cook on a low flame for 3-4 minutes.

5. Switch off stove and add the remaining oil and curry leaves. Cover and keep aside for 10 minutes. Mix well without mashing the vegetables.