Discover how to prepare an authentic Onam Sadhya with cold pressed oils, where every dish - from avial to payasam - carries the richness, aroma, and cultural spirit of Onam. Celebrate Kerala’s biggest festival with tradition on a plate.

At Tata Simply Better, we believe food is the heart of every celebration. And when it comes to Onam, nothing captures the festival’s grandeur like the legendary feast - the Sadhya. Served on a banana leaf with more than 20 dishes, it’s colourful, flavourful, and unforgettable. Preparing an Onam Sadhya with cold pressed oils ensures that every dish embodies the authentic taste and fragrance Kerala is known for.

Why Cold Pressed Oils Are Central to Onam Cooking

Cooking an Onam Sadhya with cold pressed oils is not just about taste - it’s about staying true to tradition. Cold pressed oils retain their natural aroma, flavour, and character because they are extracted without heat. This makes them perfect for festive cooking where authenticity matters.

• Cold pressed coconut oil brings out the iconic flavour in Kerala curries, stir-fries, and tempering.
  

• Cold pressed sesame oil adds depth to pachadis, pickles, and spice pastes.
  

• The freshness of these oils ensures that when you prepare an Onam Sadhya with cold pressed oils, the feast tastes as real as it should.

The Many Dishes of Onam Sadhya with Cold Pressed Oils

A Sadhya is not just a meal; it’s an orchestra of flavours where each dish plays its part. Cold pressed oils elevate these classics beautifully:

• Avial - A mixed-veg curry bound with coconut and yoghurt, finished with a drizzle of cold pressed coconut oil.
  

• Thoran - Chopped vegetables stir-fried with grated coconut, where the oil brings out crunch and fragrance.
  

• Erissery - Pumpkin and cowpeas paired with ground coconut, topped with a tempering in cold pressed oil.
  

• Kootu Curry - Yam, plantain, and black chana, slow-cooked and perfected with a tempering of curry leaves.
  

• Olan - Ash gourd and cowpeas simmered in coconut milk, where cold pressed oils subtly enrich the flavour.
  

• Pachadi & Kichadi - Sweet, tangy, or spicy curd-based side dishes that shine with sesame oil tempering.
  

• Sambar, Rasam, Parippu - Each one enhanced by a final touch of oil that seals the taste.
  

• Payasam - The grand finale, creamy and sweet, made indulgent with a hint of cold pressed oils.
  

When you prepare your Onam Sadhya with cold pressed oils, each dish feels layered, fragrant, and true to its heritage.

How Cold Pressed Oils Transform the Festive Feast

Cold pressed oils are not just cooking mediums; they shape the dining experience of Onam:

• Fragrance that fills the home - The aroma of curry leaves and mustard seeds spluttering in coconut oil is the scent of Onam itself.
  

• Authenticity that matters - A traditional Onam Sadhya with cold pressed oils honours recipes passed down through generations.
  

• Texture and flavour - From crunchy papadams to velvety curries, the oils enhance balance across the spread.
  

• Connection to culture - Each drizzle of oil keeps the heritage of Kerala alive in today’s kitchens.

Tips to Perfect Your Onam Sadhya with Cold Pressed Oils

Making a Sadhya is an art, but with the right approach, it can also be joyful and easy. Here are some tips:

1. Choose the right oils - Cold pressed coconut oil for most curries and stir-fries; sesame oil for pachadis and pickles.
   

2. Temper at the end - Always finish dishes like erissery, thoran, or avial with a quick tempering for the classic Kerala aroma.
   

3. Cook in batches - A traditional Sadhya involves multiple dishes. Prepping spice mixes in advance helps.
   

4. Balance flavours - Use oils generously but thoughtfully to highlight, not overpower, each dish.
   

5. Finish with payasam - End your Onam Sadhya with cold pressed oils on a sweet note - it symbolises abundance.
   

The Cultural Soul of Onam

An Onam Sadhya with cold pressed oils is more than just a feast. It represents prosperity, togetherness, and gratitude. Families gather around banana leaves, laughing, sharing, and enjoying over 20 dishes side by side.

The fragrance of coconut oil drifting through the kitchen, the sight of colourful curries lined up in perfect order, the sweet ending with payasam - all of this embodies the true spirit of Onam. Preparing it with cold pressed oils ensures that the essence of Kerala is not lost but lovingly preserved.

With Tata Simply Better, Tata Consumer Products has entered into a new category, with a range of cold-pressed oils aimed at consumers who want to include cold-pressed oils in their kitchens. Tata Simply Better has come with various cold-pressed oils - Groundnut, Virgin Coconut, Sesame, Extra Virgin Olive, Mustard and Sunflower Oil,  that provide a more nutritious alternative to traditional cooking oils.

These oils are carefully extracted to retain their natural goodness, and they are free from trans fats and cholesterol. By using the finest A1-grade ingredients, Tata Simply Better ensures that its products offer a superior culinary experience while promoting overall well-being.