Today is 'Atham,' which marks the beginning of Onam Celebration, "Atham Pathu Onam", which means the tenth day from Atham is Onam - Thiruvonam.  I have planned to post some newly added Sadhya Items for this season for a wholesome "ONASADHYA."  Few mainstream dishes which can be added for a Sadhya Vattom, would be updated in the coming days.     Let's begin the celebration of Onam this year with a special Dish Inji Thayir which is also called as 1000 Curry.

  Though commonly Inji Curry/Puli Inji is called as 1000 Curry, this Inji Thayir with almost similar ingredients also serves best to be termed as Aayiram Curry.  Every region of Kerala has its own style and dishes prevalent to the region especially served in an Onasadhya.  This Inji Thayir or Inji Pachadi is a speciality from Valluvanad Region.  And this dish is a must serve item when it comes to Sadhya in the region.   A simple dish prepared with Ginger, Green Chillies, Curry Leaves & Curd. This Inji Thayir is a traditional recipe associated with Kerala Fables since ancient time and is one of the most special dishes served in a Sadhya Vattom - Onasadhya/Banquet.

     The Story of 1000 Curry goes like this... Vararuchi, a Brahmin who lived in ancient Kerala used to travel to distant places and during those times it was a norm during such trips to just walk into any Brahmin family and have food at their places. Can we imagine such incidents these days? A stranger walking in and without any question the family hosting a lunch/dinner for them?!!!  Mainly during this year anybody walking into anybody's house or even into a neighbourhood cannot be imagined... There comes the effect of COVID -19. 

    Well, I'll come back to the story. One day Vararuchi visited a house and was attracted to the daughter of the family. He, however, wanted to test her before he proposed his interest to marry her. So he asks her to prepare him food with 1000 curries. The girl Panjami's mother was confused because she thought it was impossible to prepare 1000 curries in such a short time. However, clever Panjami asked her mother not to worry and prepared Inji Curry. Vararuchi was very impressed with the meal that consisted of Rice and just the Inji Curry. Since then Inji Curry is said to be equivalent to 1000 curries.

      This simple Curry - Inji Thayir(Ginger & Curd) has the ability to digest 1000 Curries/Dishes and maybe that's why it was called as 1000 Curry. The dishes served in a Sadhya is always prepared with the idea of Taste Balance and also mainly with the thought of how this mammoth meal can be easily digested. We can find a balance of ingredients used along with all tastes equally balanced in a Sadhya Vattom.  Usage of ingredients like Ginger, Curd, Tamarind etc., in a balanced way, facilitates easy digestion.

For more recipes for SADHYA, click here...

INJI THAYIR - GINGER & YOGURT PACHADI

NOTES:

• I have used finely chopped Ginger pieces in this recipe.
• There is no need for cooking or tempering this Inji Thayir.
• Do not reheat the dish, reheating may curdle the curd and make Inji Thayir watery. 
• Refrigerate any remaining Inji Thayir.  Tastes good when served cold too.

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