Sadhya - A Grand Feast from Kerala

Ingredients

• 2 cups (470ml) cooked rice 2 cups (470ml) cooked rice
• 1 cup (240ml) sambar (lentil and vegetable stew) 1 cup (240ml) sambar (lentil and vegetable stew)
• 1 cup (240ml) rasam (spiced tamarind soup) 1 cup (240ml) rasam (spiced tamarind soup)
• 1 cup (240ml) avial (mixed vegetable curry) 1 cup (240ml) avial (mixed vegetable curry)
• 1 cup (240ml) olan (ash gourd and coconut milk stew) 1 cup (240ml) olan (ash gourd and coconut milk stew)
• 1 cup (240ml) thoran (stir-fried vegetables with coconut) 1 cup (240ml) thoran (stir-fried vegetables with coconut)
• 1 cup (240ml) pachadi (yogurt-based side dish) 1 cup (240ml) pachadi (yogurt-based side dish)
• 1 cup (240ml) pickle 1 cup (240ml) pickle
• 1 cup (240ml) papadam (crispy lentil wafers) 1 cup (240ml) papadam (crispy lentil wafers)
• 1 cup (240ml) payasam (sweet rice pudding) 1 cup (240ml) payasam (sweet rice pudding)
• Banana leaf (for serving) Banana leaf (for serving)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 500 kcal / 2092 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 90g, 20g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 10g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. 2.
   Prepare sambar by boiling lentils with vegetables and spices until tender.
3. 3.
   Make rasam by simmering tamarind pulp with spices and herbs.
4. 4.
   In a separate pan, cook mixed vegetables with grated coconut to make avial.
5. 5.
   Boil ash gourd with coconut milk to prepare olan.
6. 6.
   Stir-fry vegetables with grated coconut to make thoran.
7. 7.
   Prepare pachadi by mixing yogurt with tempered spices and vegetables.
8. 8.
   Serve the cooked rice, sambar, rasam, avial, olan, thoran, pachadi, pickle, papadam, and payasam on a banana leaf.
9. 9.
   Enjoy the Sadhya by mixing different dishes with rice and savoring the flavors.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lentils — Rinse lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any impurities.
• Coconut — Use freshly grated coconut for the best flavor and texture.
• Vegetables — Ensure that the vegetables are chopped evenly for uniform cooking.
• Yogurt — Use thick yogurt for pachadi to achieve a creamy consistency.
• Rice — Fluff the cooked rice with a fork to separate the grains before serving.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavors, temper the dishes with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies.
• Adjust the spice levels according to your preference by adding more or less chili powder.
• Serve the Sadhya on a banana leaf for an authentic experience.
• Experiment with different combinations of dishes to create your own Sadhya spread.
• If you don't have access to a banana leaf, serve the Sadhya on a large platter for a communal dining experience.

Serving advice

Serve the Sadhya on a banana leaf, starting with a portion of rice in the center. Arrange the different dishes around the rice, ensuring a balance of flavors and colors. Encourage guests to mix and match the dishes with rice to create their own unique combinations. Enjoy the Sadhya with your hands for a truly immersive experience.

Presentation advice

When serving the Sadhya, pay attention to the arrangement of the dishes on the banana leaf. Create a visually appealing spread by placing contrasting colors and textures next to each other. Garnish the dishes with fresh herbs or grated coconut to add a touch of elegance. Ensure that each dish is easily accessible to the guests for a seamless dining experience.