South Indian cuisine is known for its unique taste and diverse dishes. Here, rice is used not only for lunch or dinner but also to prepare many delicious and healthy breakfasts. Among these dishes are idli, dosa, appam, and puttu, which possess an inimitable and delightful flavor. It is worth noting that many of these dishes are prepared by steaming or using minimal oil. If you want to try something new for breakfast, you should look at these eight rice dishes from South India.
South Indian Rice Breakfasts:
Idli is one of the most beloved breakfasts in South India. It is made from fermented batter of rice and lentils and then steamed. Idli is characterized by a very soft and light texture. It is usually served with sambar and coconut chutney.
Dosa is also made from a mixture of rice and beans. It is thinly spread on a griddle and fried until golden brown, making it crispy on the outside. Popular variations include masala dosa, plain dosa, and pepper dosa. Dosa is traditionally eaten with sambar and coconut chutney.
Uttapam is slightly different from dosa. Its batter is spread in a thicker layer on the griddle, and ingredients such as onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and other vegetables are added on top. Uttapam turns out slightly crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Ven Pongal is a tasty dish made from rice and moong dal. It is seasoned with a mixture of ghee, black pepper, cumin, and cashews. Its taste is slightly spicy and very comforting. It is often accompanied by coconut chutney and sambar.
Kuzhi Paniyaram can even be made from leftover idli or dosa batter. Onions, green chilies, and curry leaves are mixed into it. Then, the batter is poured into a special appam mold and cooked. The result is a dish that is crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Appam is a famous dish from Kerala. It is made from fermented batter of rice and coconut. It is cooked in a special deep and round pan. The center of the appam remains soft and airy, while the edges become very thin and crispy.
Puttu is a steamed dish made from rice flour and coconut. It is formed by layering rice flour and freshly grated coconut in a special cylindrical mold. Typically, puttu is eaten with kadala curry.
Idiyappam is a thin, soft noodle made from rice flour. Balls of rice flour are cut into thin strips resembling vermicelli and steamed. It can be eaten with coconut milk, vegetable stew, or with coconut and palm sugar.