Onam 2008

A totally unplanned Onam celebration at middle town, CT in our aprtment. We started planning out only on last wednesday and the toughest job was to find out the group with which we will celebrate our onam. Any team , project, mallus, southies northies, all were too big to be acccomadated in our small apartment. Finally settled to have it with only 'mallu bachelors', which counted up to 15 follks ... And we had things sorted out by end of friday with who makes what, how much and lots of details ... Only thing we missed was plantain leaf. the best part was the cutting and shaving session on friday night which went to early morning 3:00. But it was one of those cherished moments...On saturday we started our Onam celebration with typical ' Arrpooooo irro irro irro ' shouting it loud and hard, three times. We expected a 911 call from the old American couples staying in the apartment above us, but thankfully their patience has increased a lot these days ...
The menu was Parippu, Pappadam, Ghee, Sambar, Pulisherry, Rasam, Mango pickle, Inji curry ( Ginger curry), Kichadi ( Cucmber + curd), Olan ( Pumpkin Olan), Payaru mezhukkuperatty ( Beans fry), Cabbage thorran and Semiya pal payasam. We had to settle for white rice as Red rice ( Chabba rice) was not available. As host we had settled for making five dishes + rice. Parippu was a big challenge as the quantity challeged our vessels! Five dishes we made were Inji curry, Pulisherry, Parippu, pappadam, Kichadi and Payasam. We 15 folks drank up 4 gallon of palpayasam on that day.... followed with some onam photo sessions...
Couple of people were towed away after the feast as they havn't ate this much in a long time ... seriously ate ate ate and out .... :) The ambiance was too good with a lot of nadan pattukal, some good old jokes which is apart of any mallu gathering and awesome food ...
Full thanks to all of the guys and their offshore online buddy (Mom / aunts). Half the people got help from mom / aunts who are cooking experts, who were on phone when ever required. My thanks goes to my mom and her sister who guided me through Inji curry and Kichadi... Snaps will say the rest ...
Belated Onam wishes ..... Ente hridayam niranja onam ashamsakal

Cutting and shaving -I

Cutting & shaving II
Hot paal payasam

Pappadam

All dishes ready to be served


Parippu

Sambar

Avial Pulisherry
Cabbage thoran ( fry)

Pandhi - I

pandhi -II

Tolkilla njan ....

mundannmaar

Still going strong ....

Aftermath ...nobody can sit .....

Just before serving .......

Aftermath ...rest

Special guest, checking the food :)