Perfectly fluffy, long-grained basmati rice with a delicate aroma. This simple, foolproof recipe gives you separate, non-sticky grains every time, making it the perfect base for any curry or dal.
Prep35 min
Cook25 min
Soak30 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 cup
262cal
5gprotein
55gcarbs
Ingredients
1.5 cup Basmati Rice (Use good quality, aged basmati rice for best results)
2.25 cup Water (For the absorption cooking method)
0.75 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
1 tsp Ghee (Optional, for flavor and to prevent sticking)
Instructions
1
Rinse and Soak the Rice (35 minutes)
Place the basmati rice in a large bowl. Add cold water and gently swirl the rice with your fingers. Drain the cloudy water. Repeat this process 3-4 times until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and prevents stickiness.
Cover the rinsed rice with fresh water and let it soak for 30 minutes. Soaking allows the grains to absorb water, ensuring they cook evenly and elongate beautifully.
After 30 minutes, drain the rice completely using a fine-mesh sieve and set aside.
A quintessential Kerala comfort food, this simple moong dal curry is cooked with a fragrant, freshly ground coconut paste and tempered with shallots and curry leaves. Known as 'Parippu Curry', it's a mild, creamy, and essential first course in a traditional Sadhya feast, typically served with rice and a dollop of ghee.
A traditional Kerala delight, Avial is a thick stew of mixed vegetables cooked in a creamy coconut and tangy yogurt sauce. Finished with a drizzle of coconut oil, it's a star dish in any South Indian feast.
A classic Kerala stir-fry made with finely shredded cabbage, grated coconut, and fragrant spices. This simple, healthy side dish comes together quickly and pairs perfectly with rice and sambar for an authentic South Indian meal.
A hearty South Indian stew made with lentils, mixed vegetables, and a special blend of spices. This tangy and flavorful sambar is the perfect accompaniment for rice, idli, or dosa.
About Steamed Basmati Rice, Parippu Curry, Avial, Cabbage Thoran and Vegetable Sambar
A fiber-rich feast: Parippu, Avial, Thoran & Sambar with rice – a wholesome, soul-satisfying meal, mom's recipe style!
This south_indian dish is perfect for dinner. With 1329.26 calories and 39.45g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
1gfat
Cook the Rice (15 minutes)
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, combine the drained rice, 2.25 cups of fresh water, salt, and ghee (if using).
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, uncovered.
As soon as it boils, give it one gentle stir, then immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the saucepan tightly with the lid.
Let the rice simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed. Do not lift the lid during this time to prevent steam from escaping.
3
Rest and Fluff (10 minutes)
Turn off the heat but leave the saucepan on the stove, still covered. Let the rice rest and steam for 10 minutes. This step is crucial for finishing the cooking process and achieving a perfect texture.
After resting, remove the lid. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice, separating the long, delicate grains.
Serve hot as a perfect accompaniment to curries, dals, or grilled dishes.
357cal
14gprotein
41gcarbs
17gfat
Ingredients
1 cup Moong Dal (Also known as Cherupayar Parippu)
3 cup Water (For cooking the dal)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
0.75 cup Grated Coconut (Fresh or thawed frozen)
0.5 tsp Cumin Seeds
2 cloves Garlic Cloves
2 pcs Green Chilli (Slit lengthwise, adjust to your spice preference)
1 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
2 tbsp Coconut Oil (Essential for authentic flavor)
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
4 pcs Shallots (Thinly sliced, also known as Chuvannulli)
2 pcs Dried Red Chilli (Broken into halves)
1 sprig Curry Leaves (About 10-12 leaves)
1 tbsp Ghee (Optional, for serving)
Instructions
1
Roast and Cook the Dal
In a heavy-bottomed pan or directly in the pressure cooker, dry roast the moong dal on low-medium heat for 3-4 minutes until it turns a light golden color and becomes aromatic. Be careful not to burn it.
Wash the roasted dal thoroughly under running water. Transfer it to a pressure cooker.
Add 3 cups of water and the turmeric powder. Secure the lid and pressure cook for 3-4 whistles (about 10-12 minutes) or until the dal is completely soft and mushy. Let the pressure release naturally.
2
Prepare the Coconut Paste
While the dal is cooking, combine the grated coconut, cumin seeds, garlic cloves, and green chilies in a small blender or grinder jar.
Add 1/4 cup of water and grind to a very smooth, fine paste. Set aside.
3
Combine and Simmer the Curry
Once the pressure has released, open the cooker. Using the back of a ladle or a whisk, mash the cooked dal well until it reaches a creamy, smooth consistency.
Place the cooker back on the stove over low heat. Add the ground coconut paste and salt to the mashed dal. Mix everything thoroughly.
100 g Elephant Foot Yam (Peeled and cut into 2-inch batons)
1 medium Raw Banana (Peeled and cut into 2-inch batons)
1 pc Drumstick (Cut into 2-inch pieces)
1 medium Carrot (Peeled and cut into 2-inch batons)
75 g French Beans (Trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces)
100 g Ash Gourd (Peeled and cut into 2-inch batons)
1 cup Grated Coconut (Freshly grated and tightly packed)
3 pc Green Chili (Adjust to your spice preference)
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
0.5 cup Curd (Slightly sour, whisked well)
1 sprig Curry Leaves (About 10-12 fresh leaves)
1 tbsp Virgin Coconut Oil (For drizzling at the end)
1 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
0.5 cup Water (For cooking vegetables)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Coconut Paste
In a blender or mixie jar, combine the fresh grated coconut, green chilies, and cumin seeds.
Pulse 3-4 times without adding any water to create a coarse, crumbly mixture. Avoid grinding it into a smooth paste. Set this aside.
2
Cook Vegetables in Stages (15-18 minutes)
In a heavy-bottomed pot or kadai, place the harder vegetables: yam and drumstick.
Add 1/2 cup of water, turmeric powder, and salt. Cover and cook on medium heat for about 7-8 minutes until they are partially cooked.
Next, add the semi-hard vegetables: carrot, raw banana, and beans. Stir gently, cover, and continue to cook for another 5-6 minutes.
Finally, add the softest vegetable, ash gourd. Mix gently, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes until all vegetables are tender but still hold their shape and have a slight bite.
3
Combine with Coconut Paste (2-3 minutes)
Add the prepared coarse coconut paste to the cooked vegetables.
Gently mix until the vegetables are evenly coated. Ensure there is minimal water left in the pot.
Prepare the coconut mixture. In a small grinder, combine the grated coconut, shallots, green chilies, ginger, garlic, cumin seeds, and turmeric powder. Pulse 2-3 times to get a coarse, crumbly mixture. Avoid over-grinding it into a fine paste. Set aside.
2
Temper the spices. Heat coconut oil in a wide pan or kadai over medium heat. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and allow them to splutter completely. Add the urad dal and sauté until it turns a light golden brown. Finally, add the broken dried red chilies and curry leaves, and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3
Cook the cabbage. Add the finely shredded cabbage and salt to the pan. Mix everything well to ensure the cabbage is evenly coated with the tempering spices.
4
Steam the cabbage. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of water over the cabbage, cover the pan with a lid, and reduce the heat to low-medium. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender but still retains a slight crunch.
5
Add the coconut mixture. Uncover the pan, add the ground coconut mixture, and stir gently to combine everything well.
6
Finish the dish. Continue to cook uncovered for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step helps evaporate any excess moisture and cooks the raw coconut mixture. Turn off the heat once the thoran is dry.
5 cup Water (divided, adjust for desired consistency)
1 pc Drumstick (cut into 2-inch pieces)
1 medium Carrot (peeled and cubed)
0.5 cup Pumpkin (peeled and cubed)
0.5 cup Green Beans (trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
0.75 cup Pearl Onions (peeled)
2 medium Tomato (chopped)
2 pcs Green Chili (slit lengthwise)
1.5 tbsp Tamarind Paste (dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water)
3 tbsp Sambar Powder (use a good quality brand)
1.5 tsp Salt (or to taste)
1 tsp Jaggery (powdered, optional but recommended)
2 tbsp Sesame Oil (also known as gingelly oil)
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
0.5 tsp Urad Dal
0.25 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
2 pcs Dried Red Chili (broken in half)
0.25 tsp Hing (asafoetida)
1 sprig Curry Leaves
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Pressure Cook the Dal
Place the rinsed toor dal in a pressure cooker. Add 2.5 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder.
Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium heat for 4-5 whistles, or approximately 15 minutes, until the dal is completely soft and mushy.
Allow the pressure to release naturally. Open the cooker and whisk the dal vigorously until it is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2
Cook the Vegetables
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
Add the harder vegetables: drumsticks, carrots, and green beans. Cook for 5-6 minutes.
Add the softer vegetables: pearl onions, pumpkin, and chopped tomatoes. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until all vegetables are tender but still hold their shape.
3
Combine and Simmer
Pour the cooked, mashed dal into the pot with the vegetables. Stir to combine.
Add the tamarind water (paste dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water), sambar powder, salt, and jaggery. Mix well.
If the curry seems too thick, add up to 1/2 cup of hot water to reach your desired consistency. It should be thick but pourable.
Allow the curry to come to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let it come to a rolling boil, as this can cause the coconut paste to curdle.
4
Prepare the Tempering (Tadka)
In a small pan (tadka pan), heat the coconut oil over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and wait for them to splutter completely.
Add the sliced shallots and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they turn golden brown and fragrant.
Add the broken dried red chilies and curry leaves. Sauté for another 30 seconds until the leaves are crisp and aromatic.
5
Finish and Serve
Immediately pour the hot tempering over the simmering parippu curry.
Gently stir to combine. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it rest for at least 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve hot with steamed rice, pappadam, and a generous dollop of ghee on top.
Cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing the raw flavor of the coconut to dissipate and the flavors to meld.
4
Add Yogurt and Finishing Touches (10-15 minutes resting)
Turn off the heat completely. Let the pot cool for 1-2 minutes. This is a crucial step to prevent the yogurt from curdling.
Pour in the well-whisked curd and mix gently until everything is well combined.
Drizzle the virgin coconut oil over the top and scatter the fresh curry leaves.
Immediately cover the pot with a lid and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the final aromas to infuse deeply into the dish. Do not stir after adding oil and leaves until ready to serve.
5
Serve
After the resting period, give the Avial one final gentle stir.
Serve warm as a key component of a Sadya (traditional feast) or as a side dish with steamed rice and sambar.
Serve immediately. Cabbage Thoran is best served hot as a side dish with steamed rice, sambar, or rasam.
Add the slit green chilies. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sambar simmer for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Adjust water if the consistency is too thick.
4
Prepare the Tempering (Tadka)
In a small pan (tadka pan), heat the sesame oil over medium heat.
Once hot, add the mustard seeds and wait for them to splutter completely.
Add the urad dal and fenugreek seeds. Sauté for 30 seconds until the urad dal turns light golden. Be careful not to burn the fenugreek seeds.
Add the broken dried red chilies, curry leaves, and hing. Sauté for another 15-20 seconds until the curry leaves are crisp and aromatic.
5
Finish and Serve
Immediately pour the hot tempering over the simmering sambar. You should hear a satisfying sizzle.
Stir gently to incorporate the tempering. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Turn off the heat and let the sambar rest for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors deepen.
