India’s diverse culinary heritage is enriched by regional specialties, and South India’s idli and dosa are among its most iconic contributions. Over time, these traditional dishes have evolved into fascinating variations, blending health benefits with taste. One such innovation is barley idli, a nutritious twist on the classic. Barley, known for its high fiber, essential…
Category: Breakfast
Patra Or Tev Dosa (Colocasia Leaves Crepe)
Colocasia Leaves Dosa, also known as Patra Dosa, is a unique variation of dosa made using colocasia (taro) leaves. This dish combines the health benefits of these nutritious, iron-rich leaves with the classic dosa batter. The batter typically includes rice and urad dal (split black gram), fermented overnight for a tangy flavor.In this recipe, colocasia…
Mor Appam (Dumplings With Yogurt)
Mor Appam and Kuzhi Paniyaram are close cousins. While idli or dosa batter is used in kuzhi paniyaram, ground rice and yogurt are the main ingredients in mor appam. Both are tasty and bland dishes. Equally delicious. There is also a sweet version called nei appam – meaning ghee dumplings. I have made it with…
Barley Upma
Barley is not a cereal that I am very familiar with. It is not prominently displayed in either provision shops or supermarkets in North India. So it is never top-of-mind. But it was something that I always wanted to try. So I was delighted when I came across barley when I was ordering rice from…
Puliya Kuthi Upma (Rice In A Tamarind Base)
My mother used to make this dish in the 60’s. I always complained bitterly – it was not my favourite dish. But, of late, I have been craving this dish. I had no idea how to make it. All that I remembered was the taste. Look at the irony of life. When my mum, a…
Idli Upuma
Idli is one of the commonest breakfasts in South India. I would not be wrong to say that it has grown into a national dish. These steamed dumplings of lentils and rice/millets are also fermented, making idlis a very healthy dish. Once the hard work of grinding is done, it becomes a cakewalk to make…
Venn Pongal
This is a very traditional rice based dish from Thamizhnadu. There are two versions. The sweet one is called Sarkarai Pongal. My post today is about the savoury one called Venn Pongal. Pongals have a rather cult status in Thamizhnadu on account of one of the major festivals called Pongal. It is a harvest festival…
Millet Adai
Adai is a thick crepe, consumed mainly in South India. There are several versions of adai, mostly with minor variations. Traditionally, adai is prepared with lentils and rice. But adai can be prepared with any cereal and lentil combinations. I once prepared adai with quinoa and it tasted wonderful. Adai is also prepared for the…
Cucumber And Peas Dosa
Dosas are a very popular breakfast (or indeed anytime) dish. Originally from South India, they are now available in almost every nook and corner of the country. This spread has spawned several variations of this humble dish. I belong to a food group (not vegan, but vegetarian) that is immensely popular with over 23K members…
Ellu Sevai (Sesame Rice Noodles)
Sevai is the South Indian term for rice noodles. These noodles are often served at breakfast or dinner. They are tasty and light on the stomach. There are several flavourings of these noodles – lemon, coconut. sesame, tamarind, eggplant, tomato… Or just plain. And the absolutely delicious idiappam (stringhoppers) that is served with an sodhi…
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