Have You Tried These Amazing South Indian Breakfast Dishes?

Encompassing dishes from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andra Pradesh and Karnataka, South Indian cuisine brings together a wide array of tasty and delicious food items. Sharing a common flavor palate and varying degrees of flavor, South Indian food has a rich and strong heritage. While food from Tamil Nadu is a perfect mix of spicy and non-spicy food, dishes from Andra Pradesh are generally more spicier and hot in comparison with others. On the other hand, diversity is what truly defines the dishes from Kerala, the cuisine of Karnataka is generally mild in comparison with dishes from other states. Overall, dishes from South India are simple, easy to prepare, nutritious, delicious and healthy. This is particularly true for breakfast dishes of South Indian cuisine, as they provide all the necessary nutrients and minerals that are needed by the human body to kick start their day in a proper manner. 

                        

Breakfast is one of the most important meal of the day as it provides the human body and brain the essential fuel required to function in an effective manner. Eating a good breakfast every morning is a great way to get your metabolism working in a proper manner for the entire day. It also prevents you from eating unnecessary junk foods. Eating a healthy meal in the morning will help you remain active throughout the day. A healthy, appetizing and delicious breakfast in the morning will help to regulate your blood sugar levels through lunch time, which in turn plays an important role in regulating your mood. That being said, what you consume during your breakfast is also extremely important as the meal must be rich in proteins and vitamins Hence, eating dishes that are a part of the South Indian cuisine for breakfast is therefore one of the best ways to begin your day in a energetic way. So in this article, we look at some of the simple yet effective South Indian breakfast dishes that are popular not just in homes but even in the menu options of South Indian restaurant as well. 

Idli: A popular South Indian breakfast and snack dish, idli is usually served in pairs with an accompaniment of sambar and chutney. Idlis are generally steamed and made from a batter consisting of fermented black lentils and rice.

Dosa is a fermented crepe or pancake made from rice batter and black lentils. It is popular in many South Indian homes and is a consumed at breakfast by many families. As it is low on carbohydrates and saturated fat, it is one of the most healthy and nutritious breakfast option. There are many variations of dosa available like rava dosa, chilli dosa, paper dosa, ghee dosa, onion dosa, green dosa etc. and they are generally served with accompaniments like sambar, chutney and pickle

Medu Vada is a urad dal based fried snack that is very popular in South Indian vegetarian food restaurants. This dish is prepared by soaking urad dal and grounding it with spices, after which it deep fried till it becomes golden brown in color. It is generally served with coconut chutney and can be a good breakfast dish as it is delicious and nutritious at the same time. 

Appam is a popular dish that is a part of the breakfast menu of many South Indian homes. Appams are actually white pancakes that have a crisp side with airy, soft on touch, fluffy center. They are generally served with a number of side dishes like vegetable stew or chicken stew, sweetened coconut milk, Kerala egg cury, egg roast, korma, chutney and kadala curry.

The South Indian recipes of these dishes are therefore very high on taste and flavor while at the same time being healthy and nutritious. They are served in a number of South Indian cuisine restaurants and are extremely popular among the customers as well. With so many varieties and options, it comes as no surprise that South Indian cuisine is gaining immense popularity not just in India but in various places around the world. 

For more details visit http://www.vaango.in/

The Growing Popularity of South Indian Cuisines in Delhi

                         

The city of Delhi is a melting pot of many cultures and cuisines. It has over the years, absorbed the culture and traditions of many settlers and visitors from around the world. The emperors, nobles, kings, royalty and elite people have always promoted and encouraged the growth of various types of cuisine by giving it generous patronage over the years. Today, cuisines from all across India can be found in Delhi which is currently the capital of India. A cosmopolitan city in which people are open to new ideas and lifestyles ensure that the city has a rich and diverse base of cuisines as well. In addition, Delhi has served as a host to not just people from outside but for within the country as well. People from various places of the country be it the north-east, south or west have come to Delhi and gradually made it their home. Further, their culture and cuisines have greatly influenced the overall lifestyle and culture of Delhi. This is true for South Indian cuisines which has grown to become very popular and accepted form of cuisine in the city. Featuring dishes from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, South Indian cuisine is gaining immense popularity not just in Delhi but in the NCR regions of Gurgaon and NOIDA as well. 

 

South India cuisine is a mix between vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. As these regions are coastal in nature, they have a hot and humid climate meaning they have a steady supply of rice, fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, these areas are also known for their use of coconuts, spices and a huge range of seafood which forms an integral part of their diet. Tamil Nadu is known for its Chettinand cuisine which is extremely hot spicy and flavorsome. The dishes in this cuisine are hot and pungent, made by using fresh ground masalas and a variety of sun dried meats and salted vegetables. The meat is restricted to restricted to fish, prawn, lobster, crab, chicken and lamb as Chettiars do not eat beef and pork.

Kerala is popular for its Malabari cooking, with Kozhikode and Thalassery considered as the centre of this cuisine. Influenced by various cultures and flavors of Arab, Brahmin, Zamorin and Chirakkal cuisines, Malabar cuisines is distinctive and has a mix of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. As Hyderabad is the home to the Nizams (rulers of Hyderabad), its food is rich and flavorful with a range of taste from spicy to sour to sweet. Hyderabadi cuisine is full of nuts, dried fruits and exotic, expensive spices like saffron. Hence by and large South Indian cuisine is a good mix between vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and is generally centered around rice. Rice is combined with other dishes which include authentic sambar (a soup-like lentil dish tempered with whole spices and chillies) and rasam (a hot-sour soup like lentil dish), dry and curried vegetables and meat dishes and a host of coconut-based chutneys and pompadours (deep-fried crispy lentil pancakes). In addition, South Indians are great lovers of filter coffee, which is now available in a number of South Indian vegetarian dining restaurants as well. 

With a rich variety and flavorsome dishes, it is no wonder that almost all sections of people in Delhi have own to like south Indian cuisines. This is also evident from the growing popularity of South Indian Vegetarian dining restaurants that are now spread across the city and which serve authentic South Indian food in a pleasant and comfortable environment, that are at par with international standards. 

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/The-Growing-Popularity-of-South-Indian-Cuisines-in-Delhi/9199720/

3 South Indian Dishes That Are Healthy And Delicious

South Indian cuisine has a very rich and interesting history behind its evolution and growth. Encompassing the cuisine of the four South Indian states namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the food from these states is both rich and delicious. Andhra cuisine is considered as extremely spicy and hot because of the generous use of chilli powder and tamarind. On the other hand, Karnataka cuisines is very diverse and has a whole range of delicacies with generous use of jaggery, palm sugar and minimum chilli powder. Since the percentage of vegetarians are higher in the state, vegetarian dishes enjoy a lot of popularity. In addition, Udupi cuisine is an integral part of Karnataka cuisine. Kerala cuisine is very diverse and is a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. While the Hindus, particularly the Nambudiris and Nairs enjoy vegetarian dishes, the Muslim communities enjoy non-vegetarian dishes. A typical Tamil meal has a combination of both spicy and non-spicy dishes. Except for Brahmins and some non-Brahmin castes, Tamilians enjoy non-vegetarian dishes. Many of their dishes are typically mixed and eaten with steamed rice, which is the staple food of the region. So overall, South Indian dishes are not just diverse, hot and spicy but are healthy and nutritious as well. In this article, we explore three food items from South India that are high on not just flavor but nutrition as well.

Idli: A classic dish that is an integral part of the South Indian cuisine, idli is made from fermented rice and black gram. Mostly eaten at breakfast or as a snack, idlis are generally served in pairs and are generally accompanied with chutney or sambar. Some of the health benefits of idlis include the following:

• Each idli has only 39 calories and contains almost no amount of fat, saturated fat or cholesterol. Consuming less than 16 grams of saturated fat and 300 milligrams of cholesterol reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke in a substantial manner
• A single idli has 2 grams each of protein and dietary fiber as well as 8 grams of carbohydrates. This is therefore one of those few low carbohydrate dishes that you can snack on without gaining weight. For maintaining a healthy body, a person requires 50 grams of protein and 225 grams of carbohydrates on a daily basis. When a person has adequate protein it facilitates muscle repair and carbohydrates provide energy for daily activities. On the other hand, fiber promotes healthy digestion. While men need between 28 and 34 grams of fiber and women between 22 and 28 grams daily
• Idli is steamed so it is easily digestible while the use of dal and rice is a good combination as the amino acids present in them, complement each other perfectly

                           

Sambar: One of the most common dish in the South Indian cuisine, Authentic Sambar is a lentil based vegetable stew or chowder based on a broth made with spices and lentil. It is tasty, spicy and an amazing low calorie accompaniment. The spices which include turmeric, cumin, curry leaves, etc. contain a lot of antioxidants and promote a healthy mind and body in various ways. The lentil provide protein while the vegetables in the sambar act as fiber. Additionally, adding sprouts to sambar is a good idea as this helps to lower the cholesterol and provides nutrients like folate, magnesium and vitamins.

Dosas: Made from lentil and rice batter, dosas are thin, crepe like pancakes that are a essential part of South Indian cuisine. Some of the major nutritional benefits of dosa are as follows:

Calorie and fat content: Dosas are healthy because they are low in calories and fat. An 86 gram serving of dosa contains only 162 calories which is very less compared to the daily recommendation of 2,000 gram. Additionally, they also contain very less saturated fat (2 grams) which is a good thing as saturated fat increases the risk of heart diseases. According to the American Heart Association, saturated fat should be restricted to about 16 grams per day so that the risk of heart disease is decreased effectively.

                

Protein: Dosas are relatively high in protein, as it contains 5 grams in each 86 serving. This amount is 1 gram less than the protein amount found an egg provides, but is 0.5 gram more than what a normal pancake would provide. Protein is extremely important in the human body as it helps to build muscle and may help you to reduce weight if you consume a reduced calorie diet.

Besides, these three dishes, the menu of a South Indian restaurant contain a number of dishes like rice, various types of vada, utthapam and desserts. These food item are aimed at making your meal experience not just enjoyable and tasty but nutritious and healthy as well. Further with so many South Indian restaurants that are gaining immense popularity across the country, enjoying a South Indian meal is now a very easy and convenient affair.

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/3-South-Indian-Dishes-That-Are-Healthy-And-Delicious/9180983/

South Indian Food-The Best Choice for Vegetarians

Almost all people are turning into vegan, these days, and the number is increasing every year. For vegetarians, the challenge is how to come across food that's versatile plus tempting which lets you remain within your dietary framework. It seems that Indian food, rooted in centuries worth of tradition in vegetarianism, is the ultimate food for vegans.

“Generally, it is obvious that vegetarian food is better for people," says Deepak Chopra, whose name has turned out to be synonymous with wellbeing and medicine. "Vegetarianism is better for environmental science and less vicious on life as a whole. Eating habits are established on culture, geography as well as affected by religion." And above all, Vegetarian South Indian food menu is extraordinarily varied in its flavors, too.

Grains, pulses, as well as spices make up the basis of South Indian vegetarian food. There are the famous instant go-to dishes like dosa, idli sambar, vada, uttapam, the hot, soupy authentic sambar, as well as the range of vegetable-based dishes plus pickles that form a South Indian meal.

It's a fact, people are drawn to South Indian food menu, firstly for its health benefits and particularly if they are in search of vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free choices. What's actually tempting, however, is that this sort of food is both healthy and super-tasty. Dishes in this cuisine tend to include diverse flavors as well as ingredients from the typical North Indian fare that people are used to.

These days, people are exploring a lot of the cuisines; therefore I think that also lends itself to the increasing fame of these dishes.

South Indian dishes are light as well as fresh, and the flavors are complex and completely exclusive. A lot of the recipes are focused around rice, dals as well as seasonal vegetables and spiced with coconut, black mustard seeds, chilis plus a host of added seasonings. Curry leaves are special in this cuisine and offer a fresh herb and citrus taste. In this cuisine, there are diverse treatments of pulses, including, you can stir fry it in rice and grind them for batters and chutneys. Moreover, yogurt is also used a lot in Southern part of India. It is present in almost all meals in any south Indian vegetarian food restaurant.

Every one of these flavors — hot, sugary, tangy with fresh vegetables as well as herbs — come together in nearly all South Indian Vegetarian dining.

For more details about South Indian Vegetarian dining visit http://www.vaango.in/

South Indian Food Menu-Full of Aroma and Nutrition

If you like the aromatic stews, rich curries, and nutritious dals of the Indian cuisine familiar to the majority of Americans, then you’ll love the well-known dishes made by cooks in southern India. “South Indian Tamil Brahmin food is largely vegetarian and is centered on the concept that food shapes the personality, mood, as well as mind,” explains Viji Varadarajan, a writer on South Indian Vegetarian Cooking. “Food is always prepared with a great deal of attention given to the balancing of dietary balance, taste, quality, as well as variety.”

Rice is the main food item of all the southern states

The role of Rice in South Indian Cuisine.

South Indian food recipes are focused on rice or rice-based dishes. Rice is mixed with Sāmbhar (a soup-like lentil dish tempered with whole spices as well as chilies) and rasam (a hot-sour soup like lentil dish), dry as well as curried vegetables with a host of coconut-based chutneys as well as poppadums (deep-fried crunchy lentil pancakes). Rice is mixed with lentils to make tasty dosas, idlis, vadas and uttapams. These items are wonderful and mouth-watering besides being nutritious and digestible (because of the fermenting procedure). They are mixed with Sāmbhar, rasam, dry and curried vegetable as well as pachadi (yogurt). Lemon rice and rice seasoned with coconut, peanuts, chilies, curry leaves, urad dal as well as fenugreek seeds are a number of the famous rice based dishes.

Chutneys in South Indian Restaurant menu

South Indian chutneys are prepared from tamarind, peanuts, coconut, dal, cilantro and fenugreek seeds. Chutneys are eaten as an accompaniment with the main dish. Usually, Chutneys are wet or dry that has a thick to good consistency. The wet paste prepared is pan-fried in vegetable oil. Numerous kinds of Chutneys are Coconut, Mint, Tamarind, Onion, Tomato, Mango, Yogurt chutney and several more.

Few of the preferred south Indian dishes are:

Idli

What is it? A heavy South Indian breakfast item. A fermented batter of powdered rice as well as lentils, steamed in small round moulds.

Dosa

What is it? Crunchy, flat bread (just like a crepe or pancake) prepared of rice batter, served with a lentil sauce (sambar) and a range of chutneys.

Vada

What is it? A South Indian snack prepared from a lentil or flour batter deep-fried into a doughnut form.

Vaango is the best dosa restaurant chain in India for the best south Indian vegetarian dining.

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/South-Indian-Food-Menu-Full-of-Aroma-and-Nutrition/9118690/