Onam 2024: Pachadi to Payasam, HERE's guide to make 25 traditional dishes for Onam Sadhya

As Onam approaches, it's time to indulge in the rich and diverse array of traditional dishes that make the festival a grand celebration. Here’s a detailed guide on preparing the essential Onam Sadhya (feast) items, ensuring you bring authenticity and delight to your table.

Also Read: Onam 2024: 7 places to enjoy yummy Sadya in Bangalore

1. Pachadi
Ingredients:

Vendakkai (Okra)
Green chilies
Coconut oil
Dried red chilies
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Grated coconut
Cumin seeds
Rice flour
Yogurt
Salt

Preparation:

Chop the okra and green chilies finely and sauté them in coconut oil until well-cooked.
In the same oil, add dried red chilies, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Allow them to splutter.
Grind coconut, cumin seeds, and rice flour into a paste and add it to the cooked okra.
Mix in yogurt and heat gently. Avoid boiling after adding yogurt to maintain the texture.

2. Kichadi
Ingredients:

Raw mango or grapes (or both)
Green chilies
Turmeric powder
Sugar
Grated coconut
Cumin seeds
Salt
Coconut oil
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Dried red chilies
Preparation:

Cook raw mango or grapes with green chilies and turmeric powder. When half-cooked, add sugar.
Grind grated coconut, cumin seeds, and a little bit of rice flour and mix it with the cooked fruits.
Temper with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies in hot oil. Add this tempering to the kichadi and mix well.

3. Olan
Ingredients:

Pumpkin (cut into small pieces)
Black-eyed peas (soaked overnight)
Green chilies
Coconut milk
Curry leaves
Oil
Preparation:

Boil the soaked black-eyed peas with chopped pumpkin and green chilies.
Add coconut milk and curry leaves. Cook until everything is tender.
Some variations include adding coconut milk for a richer taste.

4. Kalan
Ingredients:

Raw bananas 
Green chilies
Turmeric powder
Yogurt
Coconut (grated)
Cumin seeds
Mustard seeds
Oil
Curry leaves
Preparation:

Cook raw bananas with green chilies and turmeric powder.
When almost done, add beaten yogurt and keep stirring gently.
Temper with mustard seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves in oil and add it to the dish. Stir well until cooked.

5. Thoran
Ingredients:

Vegetables (like beans, cabbage, beetroot, carrots)
Grated coconut
Green chilies
Cumin seeds
Garlic
Oil
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves

Preparation:

Saute chopped vegetables with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and grated coconut.
Add the ground mixture of coconut, green chilies, cumin seeds, and garlic.
Cook until the vegetables are tender and well-mixed with the spices.

6. Erissery
Ingredients:

Pumpkin
Black-eyed peas
Coconut (grated)
Green chilies
Cumin seeds
Turmeric powder
Red chilies
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Oil
Preparation:

Cook black-eyed peas and pumpkin together.
Add turmeric powder, red chilies, and grated coconut mixed with cumin seeds and garlic.
Temper with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies in oil. Mix everything and cook until well combined.

7. Avial
Ingredients:

A mix of vegetables (raw banana, yam, beans, carrot, etc.)
Grated coconut
Cumin seeds
Green chilies
Yogurt
Oil
Curry leaves
Preparation:

Cook a mix of vegetables with turmeric powder and salt.
Add a mixture of ground coconut, cumin seeds, and green chilies.
Add yogurt and cook gently. Finish with a drizzle of coconut oil and curry leaves.

8. Mango Pickle
Ingredients:

Raw mangoes
Salt
Mustard seeds
Fenugreek seeds
Turmeric powder
Chili powder
Oil
Preparation:

Cut mangoes and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit to release moisture.
Heat oil and add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and chili powder. Mix with mango pieces.
Adjust salt and store in a jar.

9. Lemon Pickle
Ingredients:

Lemons
Salt
Mustard seeds
Fenugreek seeds
Chili powder
Oil
Preparation:

Cut lemons and mix with salt.
Prepare a tempering with mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and chili powder in hot oil.
Add this tempering to the lemon mix and let it marinate.

10. Ginger Curry
Ingredients:

Ginger (sliced)
Coconut (grated)
Green chilies
Mustard seeds
Oil
Curry leaves
Preparation:

Saute sliced ginger in oil.
Prepare a paste of grated coconut, green chilies, and add it to the ginger.
Temper with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Mix well and cook.

11. Parippu (Dal)
Ingredients:

Moong dal
Turmeric powder
Salt
Coconut oil
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Preparation:

Cook moong dal with turmeric powder and salt.
Temper with mustard seeds and curry leaves in coconut oil.
Stir and serve.

12. Sambar
Ingredients:

Mixed vegetables (like pumpkin, cucumber, carrots)
Toor dal
Sambar masala
Tamarind water
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Oil
Preparation:

Cook toor dal and vegetables together.
Add sambar masala and tamarind water. Cook until vegetables are tender.
Temper with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and add to the sambar.

13. Rasam
Ingredients:

Tamarind (soaked in water)
Tomatoes
Black pepper
Cumin seeds
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves
Oil
Preparation:

Extract tamarind juice and mix with chopped tomatoes.
Prepare a tempering with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves in oil.
Add this tempering to the rasam mixture and cook until aromatic.

14. Pachamoru
Ingredients:

Yogurt
Water
Green chilies
Small onions
Ginger
Curry leaves
Preparation:

Mix yogurt with water to make it thin.
Add finely chopped green chilies, onions, ginger, and curry leaves.
Serve chilled.

15. Parippu Pradhaman
Ingredients:

Moong dal
Jaggery
Ghee
Cardamom powder
Coconut (grated)
Raisins
Preparation:

Cook moong dal and mix with jaggery.
Add grated coconut and ghee. Stir well.
Add cardamom powder and fried raisins.

16. Payasam (Milk Dessert)
Ingredients:

Rice (washed)
Milk
Sugar
Ghee
Cardamom
Cashews
Preparation:

Cook rice in water until half done. Add milk and cook until the rice is fully cooked.
Add sugar and simmer.
Finish with ghee, cardamom, and fried cashews.

Other Essential Items: 17. Banana leaves 18. Salt 19. Cooked rice 20. Coconut chunks 21. Jaggery syrup 22. Ghee 23. Fruits 24. Papadam 25. Water

The Onam feast is incomplete without a variety of these traditional dishes, served on a banana leaf, creating a delightful and authentic experience. Wishing everyone a joyful and festive Onam!

Wish everyone a Happy Onam!

Also Read: Onam Special: How to eat Onasadya the right way? Here's your guide to Kerala's iconic feast