Best South Indian Recipes: The scent of crisp vadas, the sound of spluttering mustard seeds, the style of piping-hot sambar made with contemporary tamarind, and the contact of feather-light, tender  idlis – there is no doubt that South Indian meals is a deal with to the senses. Dosa and chutney are only a temporary trailer to a vibrant, wealthy and completely fascinating culinary journey that’s South India. With its 5 states, 2 union territories, rocky plateau, river valleys and coastal plains, the south of India is extraordinarily totally different from its Northern counterpart. Needless to say, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have their very own cuisines which might be rooted of their historical past and tradition.  

But earlier than we get caught into particulars like substances and cooking strategies, let’s speak about some features which might be frequent to those who dwell within the South. Firstly, most individuals eat with their proper hand and depart the left one clear for ingesting water. Also, licking curry off your finger does style actually good! Rice is their grain of alternative and lentils and daals are equally vital. Sambhar, which is made with lentil, tamarind and buttermilk can be frequent to all South Indian states, although every area could have its personal variation.

(Also learn: Why people eat with their hands in Kerala?)
_{Sambhar is a crucial dish to South Indians. Photo Credit: iStock}

Pickles and Pappadams are at all times served on the facet and yogurt makes a frequent look as effectively. Coconut is without doubt one of the most vital substances and is utilized in varied varieties: dry, desiccated or as is. Some of the cooking can be carried out in coconut oil. The South of India is called ‘the land of spices’ and for all the precise causes. Cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, chilli, mustard, curry leaves – the listing goes on.
 

Kerala

The meals of Kerala wants no introduction. It’s easy, zesty, flavourful and presents an clever mixture of potent fragrant spices. Unlike its neighboring states, the meals of Kerala is predominantly non-vegetarian. You’ve obtained hen, mutton, pork, beef and an exhilarating vary of seafood – mussels, crab, tiger prawns, king prawns, tiny prawns, oysters, sardines, mackerel, tuna and beautiful crimson lobsters. Some of the popularly used spices in Kerala’s delicacies are pepper, cumin, chillies, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and turmeric. Coconut, tamarind, unripe mango, lime juice, vinegar and curd are additionally used extensively.

_{Kadala curry is a very talked-about dish from the God’s personal land. Photo Credit: iStock}

Kerala fish curry, pomfret moilee, tender and fluffy appams with stew, Puttu and Kadala curry, Kerala beef fry, chemmeen theeyal (prawn curry) – the meals from Kerala is not closely spiced however the cooking strategies used makes is totally ingenious.

Karnataka

(Also learn: The Cuisine of Coorg: Pandi Curry, Puttus, Kachampuli and More)

_{Coorg is legendary for its spicy pork curry. Photo Credit: iStock}

Andhra Pradesh

The spiciest of all South Indian cuisines, the meals from Andhra can depart you panting, gasping for air. A big a part of Hyderbadi delicacies is much like that of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, however the Hyderbadi delicacies has a persona of its personal. Nawaabi kebabs, saffron-smelling biryani, creamy haleem and crumbly keema – they will put you in a state of trance.

(Also learn:10 Best Andhra Recipes)

_{The creamy Haleem of Andhra Pradesh can put you in a state of trance. Photo Credit: SodaBottleOpenerWala}

The chilli that is generously utilized in Andhra delicacies is the Guntur crimson chilli. Those within the Rayalaseema area use numerous ragi together with jaggery, shallots and fenugreek paste. The coastal facet makes use of numerous seafood in curry kind that’s normally eaten with rice. Gongura maas (lamb curry cooked with gongura leaves), Chepalapulusu (fish curry) are a few of the prized possessions of the wealthy Andhra non-vegetarian menu.

Telangana

Contrary to common perception, the meals of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is not the identical and in reality has at all times been distinct. The individuals of Telangana eat numerous millets, seasonal greens, lentils, cumin, ginger are generally used of their meals. Some of the most well-liked dishes are pulihora, tamarind rice, egg pulusu (egg curry) and nalli massam.

_{Lentilis are very generally utilized in Telangana.}

Tamil Nadu

The meals of Tamil Nadu is delicate spiced, principally vegetarian, mild however completely sensational. This is apart from Chettinad meals, which is high of the pile. It’s additionally identified to be extraordinarily spicy however the type that stems from pepper and never chilli. It additionally boasts of heavy native spices like star anise, kalpasi (stone flower) and maratti mokku (dried flower pods), freshly floor spices together with cumin, fenugreek, fennel, clove, bay leaf, turmeric and tamarind.

_{Tamil Nadu boasts of the very well-known Chicken Chettinad, originated in its Chettinad area. Photo credit: iStock}

Meats, seafood, greens, grains and fermented rice are used often. Being blessed with a protracted shoreline, quite a lot of seafood like fish, crabs, lobsters and contemporary prawns adorn a Tamil desk.

Now that we have given you a quick introduction of the 5 main cuisines, it is time to go deeper and uncover 13 timeless, highly effective and delicious jewels from every. Some are simple, some aren’t however they’re all completely sensational and are positive to set your coronary heart racing.

Here are 15 Sumptuous South Indian Recipes You Must Try At Home

1. Chicken Chettinad

(Also learn:10 Best Chettinad recipes)

2. Andhra Style Chicken Curry

A fiery Andhra curry cooked with ginger-garlic paste, curry leaves, cinnamon, hen masala and a tasty cashew and poppy seed paste.

(Also Read: 10 Best South Indian Snacks Recipes | Top South Indian Snacks Recipes)

_{Pepper powder, coconut paste,cloves and lemon stewed along with hen to recreate an fragrant, flavourful magic.}

3. Masala Dosa

The king of all dosas! Listed as one of many world’s most scrumptious meals, a masala dosa by no means fails to impress! Re-create this basic at house.

(Also Read: How to Make a Perfect Crisp Dosa at Home: Tips and Tricks)

_{Lightly cooked potatoes with onions, spices, curry leaves and mustard seeds, wrapped in a crisp crepe.}

4. Meen Murringakka Curry

A sardine fish curry made with tamarind, coconut, shallots and crimson chillis. Served with steamed rice, this dish is totally sensational.

_{An ideal mix of spice and salt tossed with sardine.}

5. Chicken Stew with Appams

Appam, a tender and thick heart with a paper skinny outdoors could be paired with nearly something. Chicken stew, chunks of hen bathed in a superbly spiced and dreamy coconut gravy and served steaming sizzling.

_{Chicken and potatoes simmered in coconut milk served with Appam, a rice pancake.}

6. Hyderabadi Biryani

A Hyderbadi specialty, this one’s a must-try! Meat cooked with piquant spices, curd, butter and saffron, tossed in semi cooked rice and garnished with cucumbers.

_{Half boiled rice layered with fried onions, mint, cooked mutton, sealed with dough and sluggish cooked ‘dum’ model.}

7. Paal Payasam

Heard about completely satisfied endings? That’s what this payasam is all about. A candy finish to an ideal meal. A scrumptious rice and milk pudding with cashews and raisins.

_{An ideal south indian delicacy for the candy tooth. Photo Credit: iStock}

8. Gonguru Mamsam (Andhra lamb curry)

Cinnamon, cardamom, onions, mind-blowing gongura leaves, garlic, chilli and a few chopped coriander provides you with a cracker of a dish – gongura meat curry!

_{Venture into the center of Andhra Pradesh with this dish to a delicacies which is spiciest of all!}

9. Coorgi Gawti Chicken

A spicy hen curry cooked in fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, pepper, curry leaves and a powerful of different Coorgi masalas.

_{Up the spice quotient of your meal with this Coorgi Gawti hen.}

10. Konju Varutharaccha Curry (Kerala Prawn Curry)

Juicy prawns cooked in a coconut curry. This Malabar curry will certainly knock your socks off! Pair this scrumptious curry with steaming sizzling rice and you’ll know what we imply.

_{Stir in sizzling spices with prawns and a heat mix of coconut milk.}

11. Kozhikodan Biryani

Kozhikode or Calicut is without doubt one of the oldest cities of India.  And probably the most cherished dishes from Calicut is Kozhikodan Biryani. Rice cooked with hen and a bunch of spices, this meaty and scrumptious deal with is a should attempt. 

(Also Read: 10 Best Kerala Recipes)

^{One of essentially the most cherished dishes from Calicut is Kozhikodan Biryani}

12. Coconut Chutney

The lip-smacking scrumptious chutney is a mainstay in each South Indian unfold. It goes notably effectively with Idli, Dosa and Vada. Made with the goodness of grated coconut, tamarind pulp, milk and coconut oil, this chutney is a deal with.

(Also Read: Coconut Chutney with a Twist: 4 Recipes You’re Going to Want to Try, Now)

_{The lip-smacking scrumptious chutney is a mainstay in each south Indian unfold.}

13. Dry Mango Kuzhambu

A scrumptious tangy curry made with the goodness of mango and tamarind, this can be a summery deal with you will need to not miss out on. You can have this filling and delectable with rice or idlis.

14.  Meen Pollichathu

Meen pollichathu is a well-liked South Indian delicacy. Fish is marinated in a mixture of flavourful spices after which cooked in banana leaves. You also can steam the fish as a substitute of frying it earlier than cooking it.

15. Mutton Vadai 

This vadai recipe is made with minced mutton (keema) together with a number of spices and fried till golden to the perfection. It tastes greatest when served with some chutney.

South Indian dishes have in the present day gained immense reputation not simply in India however on a world platform as effectively by correctly integrating all features of culinary science and strategies in cooking, It is extraordinarily versatile when it comes to taste, style, vitamin and selection. The array of spices and condiments together with revolutionary perspective that South Indian delicacies comes with, it permits house cooks to get inventive and adventurous with the recipes. Play round with primary dishes and flavors and you will find it is a simple option to shake up your normal dinner platter.