Onam Special Sadya – A Traditional Kerala Feast on a Banana Leaf

Cook the rice: Wash the rice and cook it with sufficient water until soft and fluffy.

Prepare the dal curry: Pressure-cook the dal with turmeric and green chilli. Grind coconut, cumin and garlic into a smooth paste. Mix it with the cooked dal, add salt and simmer for a few minutes. Finish with a little coconut oil and curry leaves.

Make the vegetable fry: Temper mustard seeds and curry leaves in coconut oil. Add onion and the chopped vegetable. Add turmeric, chilli powder and salt, then cook until tender and lightly crispy.

Prepare the yellow curry: Cook the vegetables until soft. Add the coconut-cumin mixture and turmeric. Simmer gently. If using curd, add it at the end on low heat and mix well.

Make banana chips: Slice raw banana thinly, lightly season and fry until crisp.

Serve the papad crisp and fresh.

Arrange everything beautifully on a banana leaf, with rice in the centre and the different Sadya accompaniments around it.