Travel Tips

Going Beyond Idli and Dosa in South India

Going Beyond Idli and Dosa in South India
Last Updated: July 24, 2018

CAUTION: If you’re a foodler (foody + traveller), this blog is surely gonna leave you salivating, so keep a tissue close.

Ahh, South India! Lush greenery, ancient temples, diverse culture, and more importantly Idli, Dosa, and Sambar. But, what if I’ll break the illusion that South India is everything else that you read above but a land of idli and dosa! Would you believe me? NO?? But, I’m damn serious! There does exist a variety of flavours and dishes making this part of the country unique. Let me try to gently shatter your illusion with this blog; you just have to continue scrolling down and let your mind do rest of the things.

A personal advice- just don’t restrict the imaginary wings of your palate, let them take a plunge into the variant flavours of Southern Indian Food while you fine-comb through this blog.

Kerala

Backwater, that is what first comes to the mind whenever we talk about the state of the South Indian, Kerala. Apart from it, I personally love this place because of the variant dishes that state proffers to travellers and explorers. Moreover, what you should know about the place before planning a family vacation there, is the fare is not at all restricted to just dosa and idli and neither seafood.

Puttu and Kadala Curry

Puttu and Kadala Curry An exceptionally popular breakfast dish in Kerala is Puttu and Kadala Curry. Puttu is made up of rice and is cylindrical in shape whereas, Kadala is a kala chana (black peas) curry and can be more delicious by including grated coconut and ripe bananas. The crumbly taste of Puttu with the tart flavour of Kadala Curry make this dish every Malayali’s favourite breakfast not only in few regions but almost every part of the state.

Fish Molee

Fish Molee Never make a mistake of comparing this sensational dish with any ordinary fish curry. Reckoned to be one of the prominent lunch dishes in Kerala, Fish Molee is made using coconut milk, dried fish and other traditional spices that altogether give it a spicy taste. Best served with Appam, this delectable fish stew possibly traces its history from the days of Portuguese in India.

Kerala Prawn Curry

Kerala Prawn Curry “Signature dish of Kerala,” is the best introduction for this tangy delicacy coming straight from Kerala’s kitchen. Sprinkled with pepper, salt, chilli, and some traditional spices with a whole lot of coconut milk, Kerala Prawn Curry is a dish from Malabar region. And not to forget, the marinated prawns, raw mangoes, and drumsticks give this dish tangy, sour, and spicy flavours, and thus, you get an incredible dinner dish ideally served with bread, idli, appam, and even rice.

Payasam

Payasam With a range of main courses on the table, a dessert should be like in a way that always satiates connoisseur’s palate. And in Kerala, there is no alternative of Payasam. An authentic sweet rice kheer, prepared by using rice, milk, ghee, sugar, gives a more crumbly flavour when topped with dry fruits and chopped coconut. However, this second course has many variations which are also made by using same ingredients.

Telangana

Well, we all know the history of Telangana of how it has come into existence as India’s 29th state. But, (no offence) this blog is not about history. So, back to the topic, the flavours in Telangana are not much different as compared to other southern states. Yet, the state is known for the prominent use of the ingredients like that of, tamarind, chillies, sesame seeds, and asafoetida that are used in most of the delicacies of the region. Despite being the newest state, Telangana is one of the gourmet getaways in South India.

Sarva Pindi

Sarva Pindi For all those who prefer to eat a healthy food in breakfast and follow a food pyramid diet, this dish is something you will like as it is cooked with no less than one sustenance of each stage. This savoury pancake is also referred as Ganju Pindi in some part of the region and is cooked in a deep pan by using rice flour, peanuts, chilli, and chana dal as major ingredients.

Hyderabadi Biryani

Hyderabadi-Biryani One of India’s concealed solitaires when it comes to traditional South Indian dishes is Hyderabadi Biryani, has now come to be known worldwide. Blended in the flavours Iranian and Mughlai, this flavourful dish is considered to be the dish best suited for the Nizams. Prepared in a big handi (similar to a cauldron except it has no handles ) in which marinated meat is put in layers of rice to get cooked. Traditional spices give the tangy flavour to this appetizing lunch.

Mirchi Ka Salan

Mirchi Ka Salan If you asked me to choose one dinner dish that could give a memorable taste in Telangana to cherish for a long time, I would definitely go for Mirchi Ka Salan. Best served with chapati and rice, this authentic dinner dish of the region is spicy in taste (which obviously you could wonder by its name only). Cooked in spices (fennel, cumin seeds, mustard, and cinnamon) and long green chillies that provide this dish a bursting flavour to savour (wow that rhymes!). Roasted peanuts on top of that add a grainy touch to this dish.

Double Ka Meetha

Double Ka Meetha Concluding your scrumptious lunch or dinner-meal on a good note with an endearing dessert is always a great idea. And there it is, Double Ka Meetha, a sumptuously loaded second course with dry fruits, bread, and condensed milk. This bread pudding dessert is very much similar to Awadhi Cuisine’s Shahi Tukda. Prepared by using milk soaked fried loaves of bread along with cardamom and saffron that gives it a syrupy sweet taste, this dish is mainly prepared during the time of Ramadan and Eid. However, one can also find it in various restaurants during normal days.

Andhra Pradesh

Have you ever tasted the incredible cuisine from Andhra Pradesh except for the famous idli and dosa? And I’m pretty sure many of you haven’t. So whenever you plan your next trip to Andhra Pradesh, don’t just stick onto idli and dosa instead try some of our recommended delicacies.

Punugulu

Punugulu Ideally a snack, but worth a eat during breakfast time is Punugulu. Punugulu is a salty crunchy puffs (pakora). This deep-fried crispy snack is prepared by the same batter which is used for preparing idli. Coconut chutney along with tea/coffee pleasingly complement this lip-smacking potential breakfast dish.

Chepa Pulusu

Chepa Pulusu Your vacation in Andhra Pradesh is incomplete if you haven’t eaten Chepa Pulusu – an authentic fish curry. Chepa Pulusu is one of Andhra’s fiery dishes that is best suitable to eat during lunchtime with rice. With fish dipped into tamarind sauce, it is prepared by using traditional herbs, spices, and other common ingredients that altogether thrust a jolted aroma in this piquant dish.

Curd Rice

Curd Rice After eating spicy and tangy delicacies all day, your dinner should be something appetizing along with being toothsome, and that’s the reason, Curd Rice is loved by everyone who gets the taste of it. A dish of every household in Andhra Pradesh, Curd Rice is tangy-salty in taste and made by using rice and unsweetened curd with some salt to give it some flavour. To make it more luscious, curry leaves, peanuts, ginger, and green chillies can be added as toppings. However, people also use cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and urad dal tadka to make it a healthier dinner. Curd Rice is the safest bid if you’re having some stomach issues.

Qubani Ka Meetha

Qubani Ka Meetha Qubani Ka Meetha is a sweet dish in Andhra Pradesh made from dried apricots. This second course is one of the prominent wedding and special occasion dish in Andhra Pradesh. Garnished with milk cream, custard, or ice cream and topped with almonds, this crumbly dessert is what you all need to conclude your palatable lunch or dinner.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, better known as a ‘Land of Temples’ has way too many things to enjoy. Food is one of those enticing things in the state that can hold you here for a long period. Let’s now give you an insight of what you can eat to have the best food tour in Tamil Nadu.

Medu Vada

Medu Vada Crispy from outside and fleecy from inside perfectly describes this breakfast/snack recipe in Tamil Nadu. Medu Vada is a doughnut-like delicacy which is prepared by white ground urad dal batter and is deep fried in oil until turns into golden brown. It tastes heavenly good when accompanied by coconut chutney and even sambar. As the dish is easy to prepare, it serves as a prominent breakfast in almost every household in Tamil Nadu.

Lemon Rice

Lemon Rice One of the best dishes in Tamil Nadu for all those who prefer to have a light meal at lunch time, Lemon Rice brims with tangy flavours. This popular dish in Tamil Nadu is a concoct of rice, tomatoes, onions, red chilly, lemon juice, and curry leaf. The infusion of turmeric with lemon into rice, when served with chutney, add a perfect blend of tart taste in this delectable robust dish. Some recipes even include groundnut and chana dal.

Rasam

Rasam This is a dinner dish which many of you must have heard of. Best described as a soupy dish with a lot of tangy flavours, Rasam in Tamil Nadu is everyone’s favourite and gives a perfect compliment to rice. It consists of fusion of flavours of tomatoes, black peppers, curry leaves, chilli, garlic and traditional spices that altogether give it utterly delicious taste which is also good for a sore throat. This appetizing delicacy is a good source to keep your digestive system intact.

Bottle Gourd Halwa/Lauki Ka Halwa

Lauki Ka Halwa Cooked in condensed milk and garnished with dry fruits, this conventional dessert becomes almost everyone’s favourite when they get a taste of it. Bottle Gourd or Lauki is a major ingredient is required for preparing this heart-winner second course. Grated Bottle Gourd is cooked in condensed milk which gives it a rich caramelized flavour with adding sugar and other ingredients and is served with a topping of dry fruits.

Karnataka

It’s not just the resplendent beauty, sandalwood products and ancient temple for which make the state of Karnataka a prominent tourist destination in India. Mangalorean cuisine is another major attraction in this beautiful tourism place in South India.

Akki Roti

Akki Roti Known as the signature dish of Karnataka, Akki Roti is prominent breakfast meal in the state for both fitness freaks and food fanatics. Served with dal or coconut chutney, this appealing delicacy is prepared with rice flour in which onions, curry leaves, carrots, cumin seeds, and sesame are mixed that add a healthier touch and tempting taste. In the native language, Akki Roti is also referred as Rice Bread.

Kori Gassi

Korri Gassi This delicacy needs no introduction. A lifeline for every non-veg lovers in Karnataka is Kori Gassi, a perfect companion of rice. For this succulent afternoon Mangalorean recipe, chicken pieces are cooked with chillies, garlic, cumin seeds, black pepper, turmeric, and other required traditions spices. The royal taste along with the crumbly texture of each and every spice is enough to satiate your appetite.

Udupi Sambar

Udupi Sambar Don’t make a mistake of comparing it with normal sambar, and that’s the reason Udupi Sambar is in this list. As compared to sambar of southern states, this one is spicier and bit sweet in taste that makes it extraordinary. Coriander seeds, red chillies, asafoetida, cumin seeds, coconut, and fenugreek seeds along with urad and chana dal (lentils) are the ingredients that proffer a unique texture into this tangy dinner dish.

Haalbai

Haalbai Karnataka “Khane Ke Baad Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye” (let’s eat a dessert after the main course) is a right statement that describes every Indian’s love and urge to eat sweet or dessert after having a proper meal. And in Karnataka, there is no alternative to sum-up your hunger than Rava Kesari – a famous sweet dish made up of semolina with a topping of saffron and dry fruits. This luscious second course comes in various variations that include different flavours amongst which banana and pineapple are most preferred ones.

Drooling slightly? Yes, Well, that is the sign for you to pack your bag and hit the popular destinations in South India . It is where Indian celebrate their love for food. From tangy to soury and sweet to spicy, South Indian is the place where you get all the flavour on your plate. And by now you would have realized that this part of the country isn’t just about idli and dosa. So, go now, start planning a trip to South India, and in case you need our help, give us a call on +91-9212553106 or email at info@tourmyindia.com. We at Tour My India offer some of the best holiday packages that ensure some of the travel experience in the budget of your choice.

With that, I conclude this blog with a Poitu Varen!

Published: 16 Apr, 2018
Jatin

About

Comes from the ‘heart of India’, Delhi, Jatin is big-time dreamer. He is a travel blogger who loves to express about his ventures through his writing. Besides being a blogger, he is a foodie, who follows the aroma to reach some of the most amazing places to eat. Another thing that is equally important to him is sports; he eats, sleeps and breathes cricket!

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