Avial (Mixed Vegetables With Sauce)

Avial (Mixed Vegetables With Sauce)
Required ingredients:
Cubed White Squash (pumpkin) -- 1 cup
Chopped French Beans, Cauliflower,
Drumstick*, Bell Pepper, Potato -- 3 cups
(mixed together)
Green Chilies -- 4 (medium sized)
Plain Yoghurt -- 2 cups
Grated Fresh Coconut -- 1 cup
Curry Leaves -- 10
Coriander Leaves -- 4 tsp.
Mustard -- 1/8 tsp.
Turmeric -- 1/8 tsp.
Cooking oil -- 1/2 cup
Dried Red Chilies -- 2
Sugar -- 1 tsp.
Cumin -- 1 tsp.
Split Black Gram -- 1/8 tsp.
Asafoetida -- a pinch or two
Salt to taste

Method
In a deep pot boil the mixed vegetables in a cup
of water until tender. Keep aside. (If there is any
water left in the pot, do not discard it).
In a blender, blend yogurt, sugar, cumin, grated
coconut, turmeric, salt, coriander leaves, a cup of
water until well mixed. Pour this mixture into the
pot containing the vegetables and keep it on
medium heat. Add the green chilies sliced
lengthwise and simmer the contents for ten
minutes. (Remember to stir frequently, as yogurt
tends to stick to the bottom of the pot). Remove
from heat and keep aside.

In a wide skillet heat oil on medium. When oil is
hot add dry red peppers and fry for one minute.
Then add mustard seeds, black gram and curry
leaves. When the mustard seeds pop, add
asafoetida. Immediately add the vegetables and
sauce from the pot. Cook for a minute or two.
Remove from heat.
Goes well with plain white rice, pita, paratha, puri.
*If drumstick is not available, you can add some
other vegetable. Eggplant, however, is
not advised because it becomes bitter when
boiled in water.

Preparation time: 40 minutes
Serves 4

Green All-Purpose Chutney

Green All-Purpose Chutney
Ingredients:
15 green chillies
1/2 cup coriander
1/2 lemon
1 tbsp. sev or potato wafers crushed
1/2 tsp. jaggery
salt to taste
1 tsp. oil
1 clovette garlic

Method:
Put all the ingredients , except oil and asafoetida , in a small mixie.
Heat the oil and add the asafoetida and put in the mixie.
Run the mixie till a smooth chutney is obtained.
Try using no water or as little as possible to make the chutney keep longer.
Add water as and when required.
Store in a clean glass bottle.

Note: Sev is a fried Indian snack made of gramflour.
Makes 1/2 cup chutney
Making time: 5 minutes
Shelf life: 1 week (refrigerated)

Coconut Burfi

Coconut Burfi
Ingredients
250 gms. finely grated coconut
250 gms. sugar
150 ml. water
ghee for greasing plate

Method
1.Prepare syrup with sugar and water to 2 1/2 thread consistency.
Use method as shown in introduction.
2.Warm coconut in heavy saucepan, pour in the syrup.
3.Stir well and cook till soft lump forms.
4.Spread in a greased plate. Cool.
5.Sprinkle cardamom powder (optional).
6.Cut into squares, store in airtight container.

Making time: 30 minutes
Makes: 20-25 pieces
Shelflife: 2 weeks

Boondi

Boondi
Ingredients
1 cup gram flour
1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
6-8 chopped almonds
ghee to deep fry
perforated flat spoon about 5" diameter

Method
1.Boil the sugar and water together. Add a tbsp. of milk to bring up the scum.
2.Remove scum and boil liquid till the syrup is sticky between the fingers.
3.Keep aide, but keep warm for use.
4.Make batter with gram flour, which should not be too thin.
5.The batter should evenly coat the back of a spoon when dipped in it.
6.Heat ghee, hold perforated spoon a little above the hot ghee, pour some batter on the spoon.
7.Tap very lightly at edge of spoon to allow small droplets to fall in the ghee.
8.Pour back remaining batter and wipe spoon.
9.Stir the boondis in the ghee gently and fry till crisp but not brown.
10.Drain and put into the syrup. Keep for 3-4 minutes before draining from the syrup.
11.Spread on a wide plate, add cardamom powder, almonds and mix gently.
12.Cool completely and loosen the boondi with finger till each droplet separates.
13.Store in airtight container.

Note: Take great care while dropping the boondi in the hot ghee so as not to burn yourself. A little practice and it is
very easy.
Making time: 30 minutes.
Makes: 3 cups approx.
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