Entree: Malaysia – Malaysian Indian – வாழை இலை சாதம் ➤ Vaazhai ilai saadam (A communal-style rice meal served on a banana leaf with multiple curries, pickles, and condiments)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 1 hr

Cook 1 hr 15 min

Total 1 hr 30 min

Ingredients

- 2 cups (400 g) long-grain rice (basmati or jasmine)
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) ghee
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
- Banana leaves for serving
- 1 cup (200 g) toor dal (split pigeon peas) for sambar
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) tamarind paste
- 2 tbsp (30 g) sambar powder
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) turmeric
- 2 cups (300 g) mixed vegetables (carrot, drumstick, eggplant), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tsp (5 g) mustard seeds
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil for tempering sambar
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed — about 1 lb (450 g)
- 1 tsp (5 g) mustard seeds for potato masala
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) turmeric for potato masala
- 1 tsp (5 g) chili powder
- 1 small onion, finely chopped — about 3 oz (85 g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) plain yogurt for potato masala (optional)
- 3 cups (240 g) shredded coconut (fresh or desiccated) for thoran
- 2 cups (150 g) finely shredded cabbage or green beans for thoran
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) mustard seeds for thoran
- 1 small green chili, slit
- 6 papadams (papads) for serving
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) mango pickle or Indian lime pickle, store-bought
- 4 ripe bananas, one per diner, for palate cleanser
- Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Rinse rice until water runs clear, drain, and cook with 3 cups (720 ml) water and 1 tbsp (15 ml) ghee in a covered pot or rice cooker until tender; keep warm.
2. Rinse toor dal, place in a pot with 3 cups (720 ml) water and 1/4 tsp (1 g) turmeric; simmer until dal is very soft and breaking apart (about 30–35 minutes), skimming foam.
3. Prepare sambar: mash a little cooked dal, add sambar powder, tamarind paste, mixed vegetables, and salt; simmer until vegetables are tender (15–20 minutes). In a small pan heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil, add mustard seeds and curry leaves until they pop, then pour tempering into the sambar and simmer 2 minutes more.
4. Make potato masala: heat 1 tsp (5 g) mustard seeds in 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil until they pop; add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, add garlic, turmeric, chili powder, cubed potatoes, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 cup (60 ml) water, cover and cook until potatoes are tender (10–12 minutes). Stir in yogurt if using and simmer 2 minutes to thicken.
5. Make coconut thoran: heat 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil, add 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) mustard seeds, green chili and curry leaves; add shredded cabbage or beans, salt, and cook until just tender (5–7 minutes). Stir in shredded coconut and remove from heat.
6. Fry or roast papadams according to package directions until crisp.
7. To serve: warm banana leaves briefly over a flame or hot plate until flexible, then lay each leaf on a plate. Place a mound of rice in the center, drizzle 1 tsp (5 ml) ghee over rice, ladle sambar into a small bowl or pour a little on the rice, arrange potato masala, coconut thoran, papadam, a spoonful of mango pickle, and a ripe banana on the leaf. Diners eat directly from the leaf with the right hand in the traditional style.
8. Provide spoons and water; leftovers can be reheated and eaten the next day but sambar is best fresh.