Top 5 Traditional South Indian Dishes
If you know about Indian cuisine, you must have tried Butter Chicken, Naan, Chicken Tikka Masala. It is true that these dishes are nothing less than a heaven for food lovers all over the world. But it is crucial to note that these North Indian dishes are just a tiny part of Indian cuisine and there is much more to explore in the cuisine. If you love North Indian dishes then you should not miss out on the simplicity of South Indian dishes. There is something special about the cuisine of South India that will make you a fan of them. To experience the authentic flavors of South Indian cuisine, you don’t have to pack your bags and come to India as you can explore different flavors in your nearby Winter Park restaurants Orlando. South Indian cuisine has a diverse range of opinions, dishes are steamed, spicy and have a unique flavor of coconut. The magic of South Indian food comes from five states of South India i.e. Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, each state is famous for its own region's variation in the dishes making the cuisine more vast and diverse. Let’s explore some of the top dishes of South Indian cuisine that you should not miss out on. Dosa: When it comes to the best traditional dishes of South Indian food, then you can’t ignore to mention Dosa. The dish is made up of the fermented batter of rice and lentils and the dish is similar to a thin crepe. To truly enjoy the dish, pair it with sambar and coconut chutney. The spicy mixture of onions and potato is often used to stuff the Dosa, some of the new variations of the dish also make use of cheese and vegetables for fillings. You will find many versions of Dosa, you can try any of them but make sure that you don’t forget to try Masala Dosa.
Idli: Idli is another most loved South Indian food of all time. These soft and fluffy idlis are very famous as a breakfast meal in many regions of South India. Like Dosa, it is also made from the fermented batter of rice and lentils and they are steamed in small circular moulds and are often served with sambar and a diverse range of chutneys. These light Idlis are your perfect choice when you are craving a quick snack. Vadas: What's that stuff on your South Indian breakfast thali (platter) that looks like a doughnut? A vada can satisfy your appetite for anything hot, crispy, and deep-fried, but it won't stop your sugar rush. This crispy fritter is made with a batter of black lentils and is seasoned with onion, curry leaves, cumin, peppercorns, and chili. It is best served with a liberal amount of coconut chutney. Uttapam: Is that a pancake? Is that a pizza? It's not an uttapam. On a griddle, a batter made of fermented rice and lentils is ladled. Next, sprinkle on chopped coconut, carrot, onion, chilies, and tomato among other toppings. The end product is a fluffy, porous, and tasty uttapam that is perfect both with and without chutneys. It is softer than a dosa. The ubiquitous biryani is found in different forms all over India, changing in flavor and preparation style according to regional influences. You can easily find this dish in your nearby restaurants in Winter Park.
Biryani: While talking about the best South Indian dishes, biryani is a dish that you should not miss. Biryani is a fusion of rice and different types of meat such as chicken, mutton, lamb, prawns, etc. You can also make use of vegetables if you are a vegetarian. Some of the spices that take the dishes to a whole new level are cardamom, bay leaves, cinnamon, pepper and cloves and the dish is garnished with raisins, cashews and onions. There is one version of biryani in the cuisine, you can find a diverse range of variations. You must be wondering what’s the best variation, then that’s Hyderabadi biryani, Kolkata biryani and Lucknowi biryani. While visiting a South Indian restaurant, whenever you feel confused after looking at the food menu, then just order the above-mentioned dishes, you are not going to regret this.