Onam is the festival that brings together all the communities in Kerala. On this day, religion, caste, and creed are not important. It is one of the most popular festivals in India, and people celebrate it with great zeal. The festival of Onam is also known as Thiruvonam. It's a 10 festival and all its day has its own significance. It is believed that his spirit visits the state during the duration of Onam. The festival originates from the ancient times of Lord Vishnu. One day, he transformed himself into a dwarf Brahmin, Vamana.
In this avatar, he went to attend the Yaagam that King Mahabali was hosting. Thus, Vamana made a request for three feet of land. King Mahabali obliged for the same. However, then the dwarf started to grow bigger in size claiming the Earth and heaven.
As the dwarf covered the whole land, sparing nothing, King Mahabali made an offer of his own head to keep his word. However, he kept a condition that he would be allowed to visit people’s homes every year once. Thus, we celebrate it as King Mahabali’s homecoming.
The Onam dance is quite popular throughout the country. Some of the traditional ones that people perform are Kathakali, Pulikali/Kaduvakali, Kummatti Kali, Kaikotti Kali, and more.
Onam is a festival that is celebrated by Malayalis across the globe with a variety of tasty foods, festive decor, and fun activities. Onam is an extravagant festival and the elaborate feasts play a huge role in the celebrations not only in Kerala but across the world! Having said that, some of the citizens who are away from Kerala and still want to celebrate the festivities with some nostalgia, here are some mouth-watering traditional recipes that can be made using Voltas Beko Microwave ovens and Refrigerators. These will take minimum time and bring back those memories that you shared with your family during the festival.
Sarkaravaratti -- For a quick snack with your family!
Serves: 4-5 Duration: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
4 Raw green bananas
1 cup jaggery
1 cup water
1 tsp ground cumin
10-12 green cardamom
2 tbsp dry ginger powder
Coconut oil
Steps:
Peel and cut the bananas into pieces, in the shape of a moon
Place a single batch of banana chunks on a microwave-safe plate and put it in the oven
On high, microwave for one minute. The banana will start to soften and release moisture
Carefully flip each piece over, then season with salt, ground cumin, dry ginger powder
Microwave for 2 more minutes on high, pausing after the first minute and then restarting. The chips will be crisp and finished at this point. If not, wait another 30 or so seconds.
Take it out in a serving bowl and serve immediately.
Paal Payasam -- A dessert that you can enjoy with your friends and family!
Serves: 3-4 Duration: 1 hour
Ingredients:
3 tablespoon basmati rice
4 tablespoon sugar
1-litre milk
4 pods of green cardamom
1 tablespoon Ghee (clarified butter)
10-12 cashew and almonds for garnishing
Steps:
Rice should be rinsed and drained and soaked for at least 20 minutes. Once soaked, add the rice to a food processor to break the grains.
Take the milk in a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes.
Remove and mix the broken, soaked rice with the heated milk in the microwave for another 8 minutes, uncover and stir every 2 minutes.
Remove the bowl, then whisk in the sugar, green cardamom powder, cashews and almonds.
Cool it for 10 minutes and keep it in a refrigerator for 1 hour.
Take it out and enjoy a traditional dessert with your fam!
Avial -- Without which your Sadya is incomplete
Serves: 2-3 Duration: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
For vegetable-
100g chopped carrot, beans, brinjal, potato, cauliflower, each
50g chopped bottle gourd and drumstick, each
For paste-
1/2 coconut, grated 4-5 green chillies
For tempering-
200g beaten curd
1-2 dry red chillies
1tsp mustard seeds
5-6 curry leaves
Chilli powder and salt as per taste
1tbsp oil
Steps:
Make a paste with green chillies and coconut.
Wash and roughly cut each vegetable into 1-inch pieces.
Microwave the veggies in half a cup of water for 10 minutes
Add the coconut and chilli paste, and salt, to the microwaved vegetables and microwave for 6 minutes
Heat the oil for 30 seconds and add in the dry red chillies, curry leaves and mustard seeds and microwave for 2 minutes.
Pour the tempered oil on the vegetables and microwave for another 2-3 minutes.
Allow it to stand for 5 minutes and serve with rice or pooris.
