The traditional Onam sadhya is a vegetarian feast encompassing around 26 to 28 dishes, served on a banana leaf. This culinary ensemble is a hallmark of the festival, along with its presence during various religious ceremonies and wedding celebrations.
While the idea of preparing an elaborate feast can be daunting, most recipes in this list do not require overnight soaking or marination. You can even begin preparation on the morning of the festival and cook multiple dishes simultaneously. You can also chop the vegetables needed for the avial and thoran, grate the coconuts and even keep the coconut milk extract ready, ahead of time.
Right before you get ready to serve, fry the pappadams, boil the rice and heat the ghee to be poured over the warm parippu (dal) for a hearty experience.
Here’s a quick guide on how to serve and eat a traditional onam sadya
Recipes
1. Beetroot Pachadi
Beetroot pachadi is easy to prepare and is an essential part of the onasadya.
Cooking duration: Under 15 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 11
2. Vellari Pachadi
The gentle seasoning and amalgamation of yogurt and cucumber in this vellari pachadi ensure a soothing and cooling side dish for your feast.
Cooking duration: Under 30 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 8
3. Sambar
Sambar can be made in different ways with various lentils and vegetables, depending on the region and occasion. However, the basics are lentils, vegetables, and spices.
Cooking duration: Under 30 minutes
Total number of ingredients : 17
4. Thoran
Thoran is a simple mixed vegetable stir fry that can be made with an array of vegetables. This recipe is made with cabbage, carrots and beans and is aromatic with shallots, garlic, cumin and coconut oil.
Cooking duration: Under 30 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 16
5. Olan
This Olan curry is a quintessential part of the onam sadhya. It is a light curry made with white pumpkin and is best paired with rice.
Cooking duration: Under 60 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 8
6. Avial
The recipe for Avial changes from kitchen-to-kitchen and is influenced by the vegetables used to flavour it. It comes with a curd-based sauce. By replacing curd with a plant-based yogurt, this wholesome dish can be enjoyed by vegans as well.
Cooking duration: Under 60 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 17
7. Erissery
Erissery, one of the dishes prepared during Onam, has been over the years adopted into other south Indian cuisines as well. The generous amount of coconut make this dish indulgent.
Cooking duration: Under 30 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 10
8. Kalan
Kalan is typically made with sour curd that brings a balance to the spices used in the gravy. This pazham kalan made with nendran bananas is rich and balanced. It can also be made with yam or mangoes.
Cooking duration: Under 30 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 12
9. Injipuli
Injipuli is a dark brown, lip-smacking sweet, tangy and spicy pickle that elevates every sadya
Cooking duration: Under 60 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 12
10. Payaru payasam
Payaru payasam is a creamy dessert made of green moong and jaggery, cooked in coconut milk, and flavoured with cardamom. Topped with coconut bits, it’s the perfect ending to your festive home meal.
Cooking duration: Under 60 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 8
11. Sweet boli
No sadya is complete if it doesn’t include the indulgent sweet boli. This recipe is made with simple ingredients and can be prepared easily
Cooking duration: Under 60 minutes
Total number of ingredients: 12
Video: Shiva Raj, Thamodharan Bharat, Johan Satyadas, Samira Mani
Location: Hotel Gnanambiga, Chennai
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