There is a large group of South Indian cuisine fans around the world especially among breakfast lovers. The reason is simple- it gives so much importance to the flavors, spices, and healthy ingredients. This post is aimed at focusing on simple to prepare South Indian breakfast that can be prepared in just 10 minutes. South India has several healthy breakfast options which include idlis, dosas, upma, chutney, and many others. It is filled with pure flavors and can help in elevating a dull start to the day. These recipes appeal in their simplicity as even non-experienced cooks can whip it up alongside experienced reconnaissance.
What are some quick and easy South Indian breakfast recipes?
Instant Rava Upma: Enjoy the Semolina Dish to The Fullest
What better idea than Rava Upma for breakfast? It’s easy to make and is delicious too. To begin with, this Rava Upma is one of the South Indian dishes that utilizes Rava (semolina). It is ideally roasted and quick to prepare. The preparation is fairly simple, take out a pan and pour some oil, throw in mustard seeds, curry leaves, and onions and saute until they form an aroma. Add a few vegetables like carrots or peas and mix everything with rava. Pour some water and stir occasionally to avoid any clumps. The dish is spicy and is packed with flavor. Within ten minutes, you can eat the delicious dish with some coconut chutney or spicy pickle. It is ideal to eat in the morning.
Uttapam: Thicker than a Dosa?
Another type of Uttapam is a South Indian delicacy that is more like a savory pancake. The batter is prepared by grinding rice and urad dal. Uttapam is thick and soft and usually garnished with onions, tomatoes, chilies, and coriander. For preparation, heat oil in a non-stick pan and pour one ladle of batter at the centre and slightly spread it out like a small pancake. Now pour the desired toppings on the spread and pour some oil round the edges. Cook on medium heat till the bottom becomes brown and crisp and then flip to cook the other side. Being eggs and sambar, Uttapam goes for breakfast. It is recommended to serve with coconut chutney.
Instant Dosa: Quick and easy rice crepes
Instant dosa is an improved version of dosa which is simple to prepare and is a very quick option for breakfast. Uses ready to use rice flour, or a ready dosa mix, dosa is a multi purpose dish. All you need to do is add water to the batter and mix it up while adding a pinch of salt if needed. Next, take a wide heated flat pan and pour a ladle of dosa mixture into it and spread it using a circular motion until it is thin. Now pour a little oil into the add-ons and cook it on a high flame till it turns golden. Serve immediately with chutney or sambar for a quick delicious meal.
How can I make healthy South Indian breakfast at home?
Ragi Idli: Healthy steamed cakes made of finger millet
Karnataka and South India is known for their breakfast dishes with Ragi Idli being the prime one out there. It is made using ragi (finger millet) flour (contains numerous nutrients and calcium) making the dish not only tasty but wholesome. The preparation of ragi idli does consist of some spices, take half of the amount of ragi flour and mix it with the idli batter which is made of fermented urad dal and rice. In case where you do not have idli batter at hand then one can soak both urad dal and rice separately and blend them together and let it ferment the whole night. Once your batter is ready take it add a pinch of salt and mix it with ragi flour until everything combines together. Then pour the fusion into ready idli molds and steam it for 12-14 minutes until it becomes fluffy. The desired Ragi idlis can be served piping hot with tomato chutney or sambar to bring out the south Indian cuisine. You can also add ghee on the Ragi idlis to enhance the flavor. The dish can only be good for one when consumed in moderation as too much would not provide a desired effect.
Vegetable Adai: Pancakes that are full of proteins and lentils
A Ragi Idli or Vegetable Adai would be a great choice for someone looking to try and whip up a south Indian dish at home. Ragi Idli is also known as ragi steamed millet during breakfast. It has been proven to be a good source of nutrition. Now let’s look at the recipe for Vegetable Adai, which is a glorified version of the simple lentil pancake recipe by adding multiple vegetables and making it a wholesome dish. Eating these alongside lunch or coconut or tomato chutney, for a well rounded and delicious meal to start the day.
What are some popular South Indian breakfast dishes?
Masala Dosa: Crunchy crepe with seasoned potatoes inside
If I were to rank South Indian dishes best known as breakfast, I would undoubtedly place masala dosa at the top of my list. It is a delicious, golden, and crunchy dosa made using a fermented batter of rice and lentils, and it is stuffed with spicy potato filling. Additionally, I absolutely love the fact that this food goes so well with sambar and different varieties of chutneys there are – this food is just a concoction of different taste profiles. Another dish that is commonly served with the sambar is idli, which is prepared with rice and is eaten in round, flat shaped cakes known as idlis. The idli is extremely light but keeps your stomach full and goes really well with sambar or just coconut chutney. On chilly mornings, I also like pongal mango flowers as it provides comfort, made out of rice and split moong dal with pepper, ginger and ghee to enhance taste. Moreover, I find it very exciting and fun to move from one option to the other with different combinations. There are so many to choose from!
Idli Sambar: Steamed rice bread with soup made of lentils
Another popular name in India is idli sambar. This is one food that can be consumed at any time during the day and night and is nutritious as well. If Idli is has some elevating protein content inside, pairing them with sambar makes the meal complete. It is delicious as well.Mouthwatering lends itself to this insultingly hearty and slightly hot ‘daal’ with the carrot, drumsticks and tomatoes. It’s fair to say, the addition of a dollop of ghee to the idly’s takes it cross the top, this soup is ideal for cold weather and simply fills you with delight. There is something about this combination that makes me want to come for it every day, very wholesome and delicious undoubtedly!
Vada: Fried Lentils
Take another near golden dish for example, the Vada; a common practice allocation devote of deep-fried lentils mashed together dal and urad and other spices, including black pepper and cumin seeds. They’re quite possibly the best type of drumstick with a currant, Ideal pair with alone out or with coconut. Comes with a soft and delicate crunch of donut as well as don’t singe around the edges. There’s no doubt though, the best accompaniment is with sambar as It adds a texture of warmth and tanginess that’s simply delightful. Whether it’s morning or evening, fan of vada or not I am truly certain its taste would put a smile on your face and increase your appetite for more.
How to prepare instant South Indian breakfast recipes?
Semiya Upma: Quick vermicelli breakfast
Start preparation of Semiya Upma by roasting one cup of vermicelli(semiya). Add a spoon of ghee and roast the semiya in a dry pan until it is golden brown, then set it aside . Add oil in the pan and add mustard seeds (allow it to splutter). Add curry leaves, onion, and chopped green chilies let it cook until, the onion becomes translucent. You can also add finely cut vegetables such as carrot, peas and beans for adding flavor and nutrition. When vegetables are tender, Add two cups of water, add salt and let it boil. While stirring the roasted gram flour add it in a slow manner, to avoid lumps. Once the semiya is added cover it and let it cook at low flame till all the water has evaporated into the semiya. Then served in a mingling of chopped coriander and squeezed lemon juice to add taste. Hot semiya upma goes well with coconut chutney, and it is a quick and rich for busy days and firing starts in the mouth!
Instant Rava Idli: Steamed semolina cakes
Start preparation of instant Rawa Idli by dry roasting a one cup of fine semolina a low flame on the stove in a pan till the smell is good, then set it aside to cool.In the same bowl, mix yogurt and a little water to obtain a batter like consistency. Afterwards, incorporate semolina that had been previously browned into the yogurt paste gradually while stirring in order to avoid the formation of lumps. To give it some flavor, in hot oil fry a teaspoon of mustard seeds, a few curry leaves, some chopped ginger and green chilies and add this into the paste. Just before making the idlis, sprinkle a bit of baking soda or eno fruit salt into the mixture and give it a gentle stir. Apply oil to the idli trays, one thing else, mix the batter into the above, and steam them for around 10-12 minutes until soft and fluffy. Consider having these savory cakes accompanied with sambar and chutney, in order to make your breakfast nutritious and tasty. It is also a practical option, suited for busy mornings! This is such a handy dish!
What are some South Indian breakfast ideas that don’t require fermentation?
Pongal: Delicious rice and lentil porridge
To note, I relish when I’m able to make an array of breakfast items, mostly from the South Indian cuisine while bypassing the fermentation step. For instance, one such dish that I enjoy is Pongal. It is simple to prepare, quite filling, and most importantly, it is a rice and lentil porridge. For this dish, I begin with rice and a yellow moong dal, and I prepare it with a bit of salt, turmeric, and steam it together. For the tempering, I heat up some ghee and add black pepper, cumin seeds, a dash of asafetida, and cashews for some crunch. Lastly, I combine the tempering with the rice-dal mixture and finish it off with some fresh curry leaves. It’s comforting, satisfying and so easy to make in terms of effort.
Poha: Vegetables combined with flattened rice
Poha is a simple and nutritious breakfast option consisting of flattened rice and a variety of vegetables. To make it, soak one cup of poha in water – don’t leave it too long! In a pan, heat oil and crackle some mustard seeds, curry leaves, and a little bit of asafoetida. Stir-fry diced onions, green chilies, and ginger. You can then add chopped carrots, peas or bell peppers. Once everything has softened, stir in turmeric powder and some salts. Next, add poha and let it simmer for some time. Garnish it with coriander, roasted peanuts, and add a squeeze of lemon juice. This dish is not only quick to make, but delicious and healthy as well. This should be a great addition to your breakfast menu!
Instant Dosa
Equipment
- 1 Non-stick dosa tawa (flat griddle)
- 1 Ladle or spoon
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Spatula
- 2 Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1/2 cup urad dal flour optional for added flavor
- 1/4 cup semolina rava
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds optional
- 1/4 teaspoon grated ginger optional
- 2 1/2 cups water adjust as needed for batter consistency
- 1 to 2 tablespoons oil for greasing and cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter:
- Combine rice flour, urad dal flour, semolina, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add cumin seeds and ginger if using. Gradually mix in water while stirring to form a thin, lump-free batter.
- Heat the Pan:
- Heat a non-stick dosa tawa on medium heat. Once hot, lightly grease it with a few drops of oil.
- Make the Dosa:
- Pour a ladleful of batter onto the hot tawa and spread it thin in a circular motion. Cook until the edges lift and the dosa turns golden and crisp.
- Flip or Serve:
- Flip the dosa to cook the other side briefly, or serve directly if making thin crisp dosas. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding oil as required.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the dosas hot with chutney, sambar, or any dip of your choice.
Notes
For variations, finely chopped onions, green chilies, or fresh herbs can be sprinkled over the dosa before cooking.
Ensure the tawa is properly heated before pouring batter for perfect results.
Reference sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the popular breakfast dishes from southern parts of India?
A: Some of the common southern parts of India’s dishes served during breakfast include, dosa, idli, upma, amit bhat and appe, pachadi. These are tasty and healthy menus to have during breakfast. Quite a number of these dishes are either rice or rice flour based ingredients as are most Indian dishes from south India.
Q: How do you prepare idli batter for breakfast?
A: In order to make idli batter for breakfast, it is advisable to soak both rice and urad dal separately for between four to six hours. Afterwards grind them together and pour salt into the mixture. Leave it for the night and let it ferment There is other uses for this batter aside from cooking idli, for the case of dosa, a batter for making a different type of South Indian breakfast dish.
Q: What is the step by step procedure of preparing Rava upma, an easier dish from South Indian cuisine.
A: An easier dish from South Indian cuisine is Rava upma. The ingredients include samolina(suji) with various vegetables and spices. An easy rava upma recipe comes in handy if you need something to whip up speedy. The recipe gives you a light and wholesome breakfast and is loved by some north Indians too.
Q: Is there a vegetarian breakfast from South India that’s easy to prepare?
A: Yes there is. Instant Rava Idli could possibly be one of the answers you are looking for. It has the ingredients of semolina (rava), yoghurt, and a tempering of spices. It belongs to the Rawa category, in a sense that it can be made instantly which is why one can argue that it is suitable for busy mornings.
Q: Does Pesarattu have rice or Pesarattu is rice free?
A: Pesarattu is definitely a dosa which does not have rice as one of its constituents, which is why it is a good breakfast recipe from the southern states. Being made of moong dal, it is known to be rich in protein. Siding it with upma or potato curry (aloo) will surely render a healthy and wholesome breakfast.
Q: Is it possible to make crispy dosa at home, if so, how?
A: It is definitely possible to make crispy dosa at home but to do so it is important to have the dosa batter well fermented. The steps upon making the dosa then consist of taking a tawa or an iron griddle and warming it. Afterwards, one must pour the batter and turn it to a thin circular paste, pouring a bit of oil along the Massa Edges and grilling it until it turns brown. It is imperative to turn the batter into circular breaks and leave it to cook over medium high. For better outcomes, look for online step by step photo and video instructions.
Q: What are some of the south Indian instant breakfast recipes?
A: Some of the instant breakfast recipes from South India are Rava Idli, Dosa made out of rice flour or wheat flour, and Semolina Upma. These are uncomplicated and easy recipes for south Indian breakfast which does not take a long time for preparation which is perfect for the busy mornings. Many of the instant recipes includeндай specifically add spice paste or add the rava which requires no fermentation.
Q: What is the origin of appam and what goes well with it?
A: Appam is one of the common breakfast recipes of a meal in South India, especially from the region of Kerala. It is an appam which is a kind of pancake made with a fermented blend of rice batter and coconut milk. Appam is usually deep-fried and ladled over with stews, curry or chutneys. These appams have exploded with popularity due to their spongy middle bite with crisp edges giving a great mouthfeel especially from the first intake.
Q: What are some accompaniments that can go with South Indian breakfast recipes?
A: There are many accompaniments and condiments that go with South Indian breakfast recipes. Popular ones include, sambar, coconut chutney, tomato chutney and podi (spice mix). If you are looking for even more of an extensive meal, there are other ingredients that can accompany the main meal, such as a potato aloo curry, or vegetable stew. These moderate spices of the dishes accentuate the main meal making this breakfast even more suitable to begin the day with.
