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South Indian recipes


Last Updated : Mar 11,2024



दक्षिण भारतीय व्यंजन | दक्षिण भारतीय रेसिपी | - हिन्दी में पढ़ें (South Indian recipes in Hindi)
દક્ષિણ ભારતીય વ્યંજન | દક્ષિણ ભારતીય વાનગીઓ | - ગુજરાતી માં વાંચો (South Indian recipes in Gujarati)

South Indian recipes | South Indian dishes, food |

South Indian Cuisine – Awesome, Awe-Inspiring Variety. South Indian Recipes, 950 South Indian Dishes, Food Recipes. An acquaintance had this irksome habit of referring to all South Indians as “Madrasis”. And one fine day she stopped saying so. In an attempt to quell my curiosity I asked – and got to know that after a tour of South India she realised there is so much diversity down South that it is just not fair to generalise – the best example being South Indian cuisine. South Indian cuisine and food habits are so varied that it is common for a person to feel lost in the menu of a neighbouring state. Say, when a person from Tamil Nadu attends a wedding in Andhra Pradesh, it is a common trick to keep an eye on the next person’s plate or banana leaf, to figure out what order and in what combinations the food is to be consumed!

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Tiffin - Much more than idlis and dosas

Idli
Idli

When one mentions South Indian food, idli, dosa and vada are the first dishes that come to one’s mind – and it’s fair enough because these dishes are popular in all the South Indian states. It is a daring risk to venture into the question of which state they originated in – so we will not touch upon that, but the fact remains that these are much-loved foods all over South India. Served with the quintessential Sambhar and Chutney, this “tiffin” platter is enjoyed any time of the day – for breakfast, evening snacks or dinner.

Pongal Kootu
Pongal Kootu

A word that the British introduced us to, tiffin refers to snacks that are neither too light nor too heavy, and can be relished at any time of the day! When it comes to tiffin, there is a lot of similarity amongst the South Indian states, and we find many common favourites like idli, dosa, vada, uttapam, upma and pongal. Apart from these, each state has its unique offerings too – like the paniyaram and adai of Tamil Nadu, the aapam, puttu, avial and kadala curry of Kerala, neer dosa, kadubu, benne dosa and rava idli of Karnataka and pesarattu of Andhra. Apart from Sambhar, tiffin is usually served with chutneys like coconut chutney, coriander chutney, tomato chutney, etc., or dry chutney powders like the idli milagai podi or curry leaves powder.
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Lunch – rice is special for South Indians

Curd RiceCurd Rice

Rice holds a special position in the South Indian kitchen. More than a mere ingredient, rice or annam is given a divine connotation and treated with respect. In all South Indian states, rice is the staple grain served during lunch time. Some prefer to use raw rice, while others opt for parboiled or boiled varieties. Rice lovers that they are, South Indians can often tell the difference between rice grown in various regions and different river beds! At lunch time, the rice is freshly steamed and served hot with a spread of dal-based curries and vegetables. There is a lot of difference in the items served during lunch time, and the order in which they are served.
 

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Recipes

PesarattuPesarattu

Lunch is dominated by rice, which is served with dollops of ghee and a range of curries and dals. Depending on whether it’s a normal day or a special occasion, the number of items served may vary. When you see the word ‘pappu’ in a dish’s name, you can understand that it comprises dal. It may be plain or combined with veggies. Usually, a meal begins with rice mixed with pappu and enjoyed with a spicy oorgaya (pickle). Other main course dishes are koora (dry or semi-dry subzi), pulusu (sour and tangy gravy made of tamarind, tomatoes, sour curd or raw mangoes), pachadi (a spicy and saucy accompaniment), charu or rasam (a thin, soupy dish that is mixed with rice), curds, and so on. Pulihore, a peppy rice preparation with tamarind and spices, is much-loved by the Telugu folks and everyone who tastes it!
 

Karnataka Recipes

Tomato GojjuTomato Gojju

A regular meal consists of vegetable preparations, a dal based preparation like sambhar, and saaru or rasam, ending with majjige (buttermilk). Kannadigas also love gojju, a featuring a unique blend of sweet, spicy and tangy notes. There are also one-dish meals like the Bisi Bele Bath, a hot and spicy rice preparation, made of rice, dal and veggies flavoured with a special masala and tamarind pulp. Karnataka within itself has several sub-cuisines like Udupi, Mangalore and Mysore, and a discerning diner can easily tell the difference between these.
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South Indian Recipes, Kerala

Quick IdiyappamQuick Idiyappam

Don’t be fooled by the simple food that the Keralites have on a normal day – visit them on a festive occasion to experience the mind-boggling variety of the state’s cuisine. Kerala food is rich in all things coconuty! From coconut milk to grated coconut and coconut-based spice pastes, it is used in every possible form to make vegetable and curd-based curries. Yellow banana and jackfruit are also used abundantly in the region to make crispies, curries and desserts.
 

South Indian Recipes, Tamil Nadu

More KuzhambuMore Kuzhambu

Different regions of Tamil Nadu have different styles of cooking, the popular strains being Tanjore, Tirunelveli, North Arcot and Chettinad. However, a three-course lunch broadly consists of rice served with sambhar and/ or mor kuzhambu, then rasam and finally curd, accompanied by a range of vegetable dishes. If lunch is had out of a dabba, people often opt for what is colloquially known as ‘mixed rice’ or ‘variety rice’. Tomato Rice, Tamarind Rice, Sambhar Rice, Curd Rice and Peanut Rice are some of the common options. On special days, vada, kheer and pachadi (raita) are also served with lunch.
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Sweets and savouries for South Indians

Ela Ada Recipe
Ela Ada Recipe

Like the rest of the country, South India also loves sweets and snacks! From the Ela Ada and Unni Appam of Kerala to the Kajjikaylu of Andhra Pradesh, the Jangiri and Chakkarai Pongal of Tamil Nadu, and the Obbuttu and Mysore Pak of Karnataka, each sweet delight has a culinary anecdote to tell with distinct flavours, native ingredients and exclusive cooking techniques.

Mysore Bonda
Mysore Bonda

Snacks are also an integral part of the South Indian food scene – they are enjoyed at practically any time of the day but mostly in the evening with a cup of hot coffee or tea. It is amazing how they never tire of having a steaming hot cuppa however sweltering the weather might be! But then, nothing can complement a Masala Vada, Mysore Bonda or Plantain Bajji as well as a cup of South Indian filter coffee or Chukku Kaapi (a tea of dried ginger and spices). Keralites enjoy snacking on steamed yellow bananas and Kattan Chaai (black tea).

Every kitchen in South India is also well-stocked with pickles, dry chutney powders, vadams and papads (that can be roasted or deep-fried), which are served in perfect combos to make a simple meal seem like a special treat!
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The magic of the South Indian tempering

Homemade Rasam PowderHomemade Rasam Powder

If you are going to experiment with South Indian cooking, your kitchen needs to be stocked with rice, tamarind (or kokum), sambhar powder and rasam powder, ghee and cooking oils like groundnut, coconut or sesame oils. More importantly, you need to get your masala box or ‘anjarai petti’ (literally five-compartment box, although the modern ones have seven) equipped with mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, sesame seeds, red chillies, broken urad dal and chana dal, as these are frequently used in South Indian cooking. These ingredients in different combinations are used to make masalas for South Indian curries. Sometimes, they are ground raw, while sometimes they are roasted and ground. The method and proportions give each dish a distinctly different flavour even when the same ingredients are used. That said, the final master stroke in most South Indian dishes is the zesty tempering of mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves, which gives the food a trademark South Indian seal!
 

More food stories to tell from each nook and corner

Each nook and corner of Tamil Nadu has a different food story to tell, and we realise now that it’s a mistake to try and cover it all in one article, so we urge you to read more about each of these cuisines (Andhra and Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) and recreate the magic in your own kitchen using our authentic recipes. In India there is so much variety in each cuisine that it is difficult for an individual to entirely master their own cuisine. Just when you think you know all your native foods, someone busts the misconception and widens your horizon by sharing yet another treasure! While we focus on our own cuisines, we should also try and set aside at least a day every week to try the culinary gems from other Indian regions, so that we grow to appreciate the unity in diversity.

Enjoy our South Indian Recipes, 950 South Indian Dishes, Food Recipes and other South Indian Recipe articles below.

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30+Karnataka Cuisine
15+Kerala Cuisine
20+Tamil Nadu Cuisine
10+South Indian Appe
125+South Indian Breakfast
45+South Indian Chutney
175+South Indian Curries / Subzis
125+South Indian Dosa
125+South Indian Idlis
10+South Indian Pachadi, Raita
5 South Indian Pickle
10+South Indian Podis
55+South Indian Rasam
50+South Indian Sambar
45+South Indian Snacks
90+South Indian Sweets
15 South Indian Uttapam
35+South Indian Vada


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Recipe# 40990
29 Jun 16

 
 by monika thacker
No reviews
Stuffed Spinach Dosa, this dosa is completely irresistible! It has a cheesy corn stuffing and the dosas are made with batter flavoured with spinach. Next time when you have guests over, serve this dosa, everyone will relish it.
Recipe# 40978
27 Jun 16

 
 by MEENA SAVLA
No reviews
‘Dosa’ and ‘Kutchi Dabeli’ are all time favourites of all Age Groups. The Combination of both will take you to experience a whole new taste. You will have demand for the same again and again . Moong dal Dosa with Kutchi Dabeli Stuffing is Awesome!
Recipe# 40979
26 Jun 16

 
 by NEENA SAVLA
No reviews
The Crunch of brown sugar in Healthy Sweet Dosa adds extra munch and taste to these yummy Dosa. There will be repeat demand for these dosas . A must for all sweet lovers.
Recipe# 40975
25 Jun 16

 
 by Jyoti V B
No reviews
This is a delicious innovation with dosa.The flavour of mint, spring onion, coriander, capsicum, basil and chillies adds a spicy and tasty flavour to the dosa. Tastes best when served with potato curry.
Recipe# 40976
21 Jun 16

 
 
by Uma Pandit
No reviews
Soya Bomb Spring Dosa is one of my Indo-Chinese fusion breakfast / tiffin recipe. Soya Bomb Spring Dosa is made by stuffing dosa with soya keema. It is very healthy and delicious and also easy to make breakfast and otherwise. Soya Bomb Spring Dosa is a hit recipe in my family .....It goes well with ....
Recipe# 40955
20 Jun 16

 
 by Moloy
No reviews
In India Dosa is one of the popular recipes. It is enjoyed as a snack as well as for lunch. The addition of carrots makes it healthier.
Recipe# 40945
16 Jun 16

 
 by Siri1974
No reviews
Healthy and tasty dosa filled with proteins minerals and fibre.
Recipe# 40977
03 Jun 16

 
 
by Chef divz
No reviews
How to make spice upma dosa..? Dosa is common and we all love south Indian dish like dosa so here we are come with new variety of dosa upma dosa it's taste realy nice with some spice...so enjoy this Yummy dosa and serve dish with salad and coconut chutney.
Vegetables Pulao with Coconut Curry
Recipe# 2219
26 Feb 16

 
 by Tarla Dalal
One look at this appetizing dish, and you just cannot resist savouring it immediately. Indeed, what an innovative presentation and what a fantastic flavour! The Vegetables Pulao with Coconut Curry features rice sautéed with colourful veggies, served in the form of a ring that is filled with a cocon ....
Recipe# 40644
13 Feb 16

 
 
by alamelu kannan
No reviews
Potato Bonda is a Chettinad traditional recipe.. cooked especially during marriages and celebrations..It is not ordinary bondas which are dipped in a batter of bengal gram or maida. Here the spiced potatoes balls are dipped in a batter made from rice and urad dal and the softness is constantly maint ....
Ghee Rice Recipe, How To Make Ghee Rice
Recipe# 4755
11 Dec 15

 
 by Tarla Dalal
When you want the focus to be on the subzi, then this is the best choice for your Main Course . Soothing yet flavourful, the Ghee Rice combines beautifully with elaborate Subzis / Curries and
Recipe# 40500
07 Dec 15

 
 by Laavys Kitchen
No reviews
There are seven cups of ingredients which makes this soft mildly sweet delicacy. It consists of 1 cup each of Besan,milk,coconut,ghee and sugar.You can use 3 cups of sugar for authentic recipe but I wanted to make it lightly sweet so made it with just 2 cups of sugar. This sweet is traditionally ....
Recipe# 40550
07 Dec 15

 
 by sush neyveli
No reviews
A usual payasam but with a different taste made with bread. start avoiding usual mixes and try this for a change. u will surely love it
Recipe# 40551
07 Dec 15

 
 by sush neyveli
No reviews
Grilled Brinjal Gravy, a different way of cooking brinjal. Grill the brinjal and prepare the gravy from it. Serve it with hot chapathi, roti or puri.
Dosa Lasagne
Recipe# 1671
25 Nov 15

 
 by Tarla Dalal
A mouth-watering presentation of dosas rolled up with scrumptious potato bhaji, slit diagonally, and topped with soothing coconut sauce. Incidentally, it is not just the masaledar potato bhaji that adds flavour to the Dosa Lasagne, but also the coconut sauce, which features a unique blend of coconut ....
Coconut Sauce
Recipe# 1668
25 Nov 15

 
 by Tarla Dalal
Let a spoonful of this creamy Coconut Sauce rest on your palate for a few seconds and you will be amazed by the varied flavours it has. From the spiciness of green chillies to the tanginess of the lemon juice, from the aromatic lure of curry leaves to the mellow soothing flavour of coconut milk, thi ....
Recipe# 40418
06 Nov 15

 
 by Foodie #642579
No reviews
Flax Seed Powder, the warm, earthy and subtly nutty flavour of flax seeds combined with garlic and chilli powder make a very healthy and yummy seasoning to enhance everyday cuisines. This can be a part of your everyday healthy diet.
Potato Stew
Recipe# 40198
05 Nov 15

 
 by Tarla Dalal
Bring Kerala to your table this morning, with this delicious and soothing Potato Stew. An ideal accompaniment for Appam , Quick Idiyappam as well as for a bowl of hot, steaming Cooked Rice , the Pota ....
Recipe# 40460
22 Oct 15

 
 by kullabaski
No reviews
Gud ka Kheer, good to serve during the Nav Durga Celeberations. The kheer is made with moong and rice and is sweetened with jaggery instead of sugar.
Kolumbu
Recipe# 1664
15 Oct 15

 
 by Tarla Dalal
When you are tired of the daily Sambhar , this delectable Kolumbu will lend a special touch to your breakfast! Packed with the power of spices and dals, this tasty, veggie-loaded accompaniment is also quite satiating. While it goes great with Idli ....
Spicy Tousali
Recipe# 1692
15 Oct 15

 
 by Tarla Dalal
A South Indian dish, popular especially in Karnataka, Tousali refers to pancakes that invariably combine rice, coconut and cucumber. This peppy version adds a few tablespoons of curds and green chillies to the batter, making a really lip-smacking Spicy ....
Tousali
Recipe# 1691
15 Oct 15

 
 by Tarla Dalal
Tousali typically refers to pancakes made with a batter of rice, coconut and cucumber. While Tousali can be spicy or sweet, this mildly sweet version that includes jaggery is a real winner because of its rustic aroma and flavour. The appetizing aroma of jaggery intensifies when cooked with ghe ....
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South Indian
5
 on 03 Sep 20 09:59 AM


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Tarla Dalal    Ashraf thanks for the feedback !!! keep reviewing recipes, articles you loved.
Reply
03 Sep 20 01:28 PM
South Indian
5
 on 27 Aug 20 12:41 PM


My name is Manik Das. I read your all articles and your food article are so delicious.
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Tarla Dalal    Manik thanks for the feedback !!! keep reviewing recipes, articles you loved.
Reply
27 Aug 20 12:46 PM
South Indian
5
 on 08 Feb 20 06:43 AM


South Indian
5
 on 13 Jun 19 06:26 PM


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Tarla Dalal    Glad you liked the South Indian recipes.
Reply
14 Jun 19 02:41 PM
South Indian
5
 on 03 Mar 19 09:04 AM


South Indian
5
 on 11 Jul 18 04:54 PM


Thanks for your big collection of South Indian recipes. So true about your statement of rice holds a special position in the South Indian kitchen. Have tried your 4 flour dosa which our entire family loves.
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Tarla Dalal    Hi Sheetal, Thank you for your kind words. Happy to know you loved the information we shared. Do try more and more recipes and share with us your feedback.
Reply
12 Jul 18 08:58 AM
South Indian
5
 on 11 Jul 18 11:07 AM


Our office is providing evening snacks for all staff everyday in which 2 days is for South Indian snacks in a week i.e. idli & some day dosa. My colleague has given Tarla Madam idlis & Dosas recipe printouts to our office maid. Now she is referring to different variety of Tarla Dalals idlis & Dosas recipes. She enjoys making it because of simplicity & perfection of each recipe and we all enjoys eating fresh, hygienic and tasty snacks. Their are lots of Tarla dalal''s delicious south Indian dishes that are made at my home. I loved that tadka aroma of curries, chillies and many other spices used while making spicy & savory dishes. Sweets pongal, Paal Payasam, rice pancakes is NO.1, which we make it at home and all liked them very much.
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Tarla Dalal    Hi Krutika, That is amazing! Thank you for your kind words. Happy to know you loved the information we shared.
Reply
12 Jul 18 08:47 AM