Potassium in Banana protects cardiovascular system, guards against high blood pressure and stroke. Consumption of banana helps in digestion. Banana always have its own place in South Indian Lunch. Strawberries are good for bones. They are excellent source of manganese. Both banana and strawberry are my kid's favourite. Brown sugar is usually used for preparing banana strawberry muffin. As I was running out of brown sugar in my home, I baked this muffins with granulated sugar. Adapted the recipe from my library book. Please check below for step-wise instructions and pictures for preparing Strawberry Banana muffins.
Diamond biscuit is a home made South Indian sweets snacks. This diamond biscuits has shelf life for 3-4 days. My mom prepares the diamond biscuits using atta / wheat flour. She usually won't use maida in her cooking, as Maida doesn't have dietary fibres. For a change, I tried the recipe with Maida / All purpose flour. This mild sweet biscuits are usually served as a tea-time snacks. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Diamond biscuits.
Egg Biryani is an Indian Rice recipe served with mint raita or onion raita. I have already posted a simple quick egg biryani cooked in electric rice cooker. You might ask why again one more egg biryani recipe. The answer is the below egg biryani is my mom's version and the electric rice cooker biryani is my simplified version. My mom won't use biryani powder still her biryani will be colorful and has lot of flavors she adds tomato, lemon juice and yogurt to the egg biryani. My mom also marinates and fry the eggs before adding it to biryani. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing my mom's version of South Indian Egg Biryani.
Spinach is rich in nutrients. It is a great source of Vitamins, Iron, calcium, folic acid and other essential minerals. This iron rich green vegetable is called as palak in hindi, palakoora in telugu and pasalai keerai in tamil. Always buy dark green colour spinach. Avoid buying yellowish or wilted or bruised leaves. Fresh spinach leaves can be stored in a plastic bag in fridge for max of 2-3 days. Regular consumption of Spinach will decrease the occurrence of gastric ulcers, fight against cancer cells, stabilizes blood sugar levels, retains calcium in bone, prevents anemia burns more fat, helps in weight reduction,reduces Alzheimer's disease and eye related diseases. In taking spinach during pregnancy aids in development of nervous system for fetus. Please find below list of easy, healthy spinach recipes .
Chickpeas is one of my favourite legume. It is rich in proteins and used extensively in India. It is called as Kondakadalai in tamil, kala chana in hindi and shanaga in telugu. Masala chana sandwich is an healthy snacks / breakfast prepared in Indian way. Kids will love this snacks. It makes an easy nutritious lunch box recipe especially for kids. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Indian Chickpeas sandwich.
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, Manganese and fibres. They are fat free and good for bones. Strawberries are one of the fruits I buy regularly. Usually I prepare Strawberry milkshake and strawberry smoothie for my little one. I had some strawberries left after making strawberry banana muffin, so prepared this strawberry iced tea. Summer has started and we don't feel like drinking anything hot. This chill strawberry iced tea is one of the easy ways to beat summer. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing strawberry iced tea.
Parotta is always my favourite. That too I love kothu parotta. Thats why I have already posted Vegetable Kothu parotta with Salna and egg kothu parotta. Last week, I had kothu parotta in Saravana Bhavan. I loved their dry version and use of Kabuli chana in the dish. Inspired by the taste and flavour, I prepared this Kothu parotta. Very easy and quick recipe moreover no need of salna. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Kothu Parotta.
Adai is a South Indian crepe prepared with variety of dals and Rice. It is a protein and iron rich breakfast / dinner recipe. Murungai Keerai Adai is a very famous recipe of Kongunadu. Drumstick leaves are rich in iron when compared to other green leaves. My mom usually grind the dals and add the drumstick leaves before preparing the Adai. In order to make my Kid eat, I have slightly modified the recipe by grinding the drumstick leaves also Otherwise he will remove the leaves from Adai before eating. My kid really loved this Adai. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Crispy Adai.
How about a home-made popsicle with fresh fruits ? Popsicles comes in different flavours and colours. As a kid, I get confused to choose the colour and flavour. Me and my brother used to fight for selecting the popsicles. Last week when I went to shopping , I saw the popsicle mold and this is in my to-do list for a long time. Immediately I got it along with over priced grapes. Prepared it and left it in fridge overnight. Next morning I skipped my coffee and had this grapes popsicles. I really loved it. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Grapes Popsicles.
Murungakkai Kara Kuzhambu is a very spicy South Indian gravy prepared by cooking drumstick in tamarind and spices. It is served as a side dish to Rice. It can also be served as a side dish to Idli and Dosa. As we had drumstick tree in our home, my mom frequently prepares Sambar, vatha kuzhambu or this kara kuzhambu with drumstick. The addition of small onions with drumstick gives a unique taste. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Vegetarian Murungakkai Kara Kuzhambu
Indian sweet prepared with all purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder and clarified butter. It is very common to find this sweet in Indian sweet stalls.This is my Kid's favourite sweet. An easy and quick dessert for chocolate lovers prepared with easily available ingredients. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Chocolate Maida Burfi - Chocolate Maida Cake.
Medhu vadai is a South Indian dish prepared with Urad Dal. It is served with Idli or pongal as Breakfast in many hotels. I Love to eat my medhu vada with pongal, coconut chutney and Sambar. Medhu vada is usually made during festivals and every time when I prepare this vadai, some how I forgot to take the pictures. Yesterday I prepared this Ulunthu vada as a evening snacks. Crispy Medhu vada with hot piping sambar makes an excellent combination for evening snacks. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Medu vadai - Ulunthu Vadai.
Grapes is one of the commonly used fruit in salads, juices and popsicles. I love green grapes a lot. This week for a change I got Red grapes instead of green grapes. Grapes are rich source of Vitamin A, vitamin C , Vitamin K and riboflavin. Raisins(Dry Grapes) are rich in iron. Grapes juice is an easy and quick cold beverage. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Grapes Juice.
Curry Leaves are called as Kariveppilai in tamil, Karivepaku in telugu, Kari patta in hindi.This aromatic herb is extensively used in South India. We had a curry leaves tree in our home. It has lot of medicinal uses like helpful in easy digestion, skin glow and rich in iron, vitamin A and calcium. Kariveppilai kuzhambu is a South Indian gravy prepared as a side dish to Rice. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Curry Leaves Kuzhambu.
Lunch meal in South India for guests is served in Banana Leaf. It is believed that eating in banana leaf will helps in easy digestion. The bigger side of the leaf should be on your right hand side. The leaf is washed with water before serving food to remove the dirt.
Dishes are served in an specific order and a specific spot is allotted on leaf for each dish. Top half of the leaf is reserved from left to right for salt, pickle, 2 vegetable dry curries(poriyal) , Kootu, Varuval, Vadai and sweet .The order for vegetable curries, vadai and varuval can be interchanged. Bottom half of the leaf is served with banana, appalam and rice.
Bottle gourd is rich in iron, Vitamin C, zinc and Magnesium . This vegetable is rich in fibre and recommended for diabetic patients. It helps to reduce fatigue and used for treating indigestion and ulcer. Bottle gourd is known as 'Sorakaya' in telugu and 'Sorakkai' in tamil. I used to make sorakkai chutney as a side dish to Idli and Dosa. Sorakaya poriyal or Bottle gourd dry curry can be served as a side dish to Rice. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Sorakkai poriyal.
Bitter melon is rich in nutrients and has lot of medicinal uses. It is called as pavakkai or paakharkai in tamil, Kaakarakaya in telugu and Karela in Hindi. I usually prepare pavakkai poriyal and to reduce bitterness I add tomato and jaggery. Last week my mom tried this bitter melon chips and told it was a big hit. I was keep on asking her only one thing, how about bitterness in the dish. She told the deep fry has reduced the bitterness a lot. Enjoy this pavakkai varuval as a side dish to Rice especially with curd rice. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for making Bitter melon chips.
Drumstick leaves provides essential iron and calcium for woman especially during pregnancy and breast feeding. These leaves are also rich in vitamins, proteins and potassium. We never buy drumstick leaves in shop in my home town. we had a big tree in our backyard. After coming to US, I was missing these leaves. Last week when I went to shopping, I saw some fresh drumstick leaves. The price was too high, but still I got some leaves. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Murungai keerai poriyal.
Milagai Bajji is a South Indian snacks prepared from long green chillies. As a kid, I have seen this Milagai Bajji stalls in exhibitions. My mom usually won't allow us to buy these deep fried items outside. She used to prepare this bajji in home. The preparation is very simple. It was raining last week, so I prepared this bajji with my evening tea. Settled with this bajji ,tea and my favourite novel near balcony window. Happily enjoyed it. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Milagai Bajji.
Bottle gourd is rich in iron, Vitamin C, zinc and Magnesium . It helps to reduce fatigue and used for treating indigestion and ulcer. This vegetable is rich in fibre and recommended for diabetic patients. Bottle gourd is known as 'Sorakaya' in telugu and 'Sorakkai' in tamil. Sorakaya pachadi alias Bottle gourd chutney can be served as a side dish to Idli and Dosa. It can also be served with Rice. I prefer to serve it with dosa. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Sorakaya pachadi.
Sambar is a popular recipe from South India. It is served as a side dish to Rice. It is also served with vadai, pongal, Idli and Dosa. It has its origin in Tanjore Maratha's Kitchen. Lot of variation exists for preparing this sambar. Some people prepare sambar with only some dry powders and tamarind. Sambar in Karnataka side will be sweeter. The below tasty sambar recipe is from Coimbatore, we grind the spices, and add toor dal,tamarind and variety of vegetables. Our Sambar will be thicker in consistency and goes well with rice, vadai, pongal, Idli and dosa. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Mixed Vegetable Sambar.
Pizza is a famous Italian bread which has fans throughout the world. Pizza is chosen for this month's home baker's challenge. As I have already posted pizza base, paneer tikka pizza, whole wheat flour pizza . I planned to try a new method. Followed the same steps for oven pizza except the cooking method. This pizza is prepared in a non-stick pan on stove top. I didn't find any difference in taste, but the oven made pizza was much softer than this pizza. The cooking time is comparatively less in stove top pizza. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing stove top vegetarian pizza.
Vangi bath is a South Indian rice recipe with Brinjal / Eggplant as main ingredient. Brinjal will be always there in my grocery list. I prepare lot of recipes with brinjal. My favourite recipes are kathirikkai chutney and ennai kathirikkai kuzhambu. Coming to Vangi bath, it is an easy and tasty lunch box recipe. No need for any side dish. The spiciness in this rice itself is self sufficient. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Vangi bath | Brinjal Rice.
Whenever I feel very lazy to cook and that too when there is no Idli dosa batter in my home, the very first dish that comes to my mind is this onion roti. Not sure how to name this recipe. My mom used to call this as Roti. Just mix all the ingredients and make small balls. Heat dosa pan and flatten the balls using spatula. No need of any rolling pin and moreover no side dish is needed. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing onion roti.
Finger millet also known as ragi, kelvaragu.
Finger millet is rich source of Iron, calcium, fibres, proteins and other essential minerals. Ragi is easy to digest and helps in losing weight. Ragi has more fibre content when compared to maida, so it is very healthy and digests easily.This Kelavaragu biscuit will be very crispy and goes well with evening tea. Please check below for step wise instructions and pictures for preparing Ragi biscuit | Finger Millet Cookies.
Paneer is Indian cottage cheese. Paneer bhurji is a simple dry curry prepared as a side dish to chapati or roti. Paneer burji also goes well with curd rice. I had some fresh home made paneer left after preparing paneer paratha, so prepared this quick and easy side dish for chapati. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing paneer bhurji.
Vegetable Chapati roll is a quick Indian tiffin /snacks recipe. It can be prepared with left over chapati or fresh chapati. Favourite vegetables are stuffed and rolled in chapati. It makes an excellent kid's lunch box meal. I have used thousand island dressing . It can be replaced with green chutney or your favourite salad dressing. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing vegetable chapati roll.
Spring dosa is an Indo-chinese breakfast / tiffin recipe. Spring dosa is made by stuffing dosa with Vegetables. I have tasted spring dosa in Udupi hotel and Saravana bhavan. In Udupi, the dosa was stuffed with vegetables and potato masala. In Saravana bhavan, it was only vegetable stuffing garnished with pepper powder. I have added only vegetable stuffing, but to add spiciness I prepared my favourite sauce and cooked the vegetables in that sauce. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Spring Dosa.
Paneer Paratha is a Indian flat bread with spiced indian cottage cheese stuffing. I had some home made paneer and prepared this paratha for evening snacks. This paratha is served with curd. Paneer is always my favourite. That too I love the recipes made with home made paneer. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Indian Paneer Paratha.
Amaranth Leaves are rich in iron. This is one of the easily available green vegetables in my place. I ended up buying this every week. I prepare poriyal or kootu with these leaves. This time, I tried a new recipe. I got this recipe from vahrehvah site. Amaranth leaves are called Mullai keerai in tamil and thotakura in telugu. The green leaves are cooked in tamarind gravy and this can be served as a side dish to Rice. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Thotakura pulusu or mullai keerai puli kuzhambu.
Sundal is a South Indian snacks prepared from any Lentils. Apart from preparing sundals for Vinayagar Chaturthi and Navarathri festival,my mom prepares it as a evening snacks. Sundals are rich in proteins and one of the healthy snacks for kids. Onions are not used in sundal, when preparing for these festivals. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Channa Sundal.
Jowar is gluten free and makes an excellent healthy diet. Sorghum /Jowar is rich in iron and phosphorous. It is also rich source of Vitamins. It is suggested for people suffering from stomach ulcer. Jowar is called as Cholam in tamil and Jonna in Telugu. Instead of sticking to rice and wheat all the time, my mom prepares recipes with millets. Jowar Dosa is a Instant quick dosa prepared with store bought Jowar flour. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing South Indian Cholam Dosa
Puliyodharai is one of the famous prasadam recipe given in Hindu Temples. As a kid, my mom takes me daily to Vishnu temple in tamil month Margazhi. I love to hear my mom reciting thirupaavai in that early breeze and sometimes I join with her singing. One of my favourite prasadam from temple is this Tamarind Rice. It tastes divine. Puliyotharai is a hot spicy sour rice. This rice stays good for 2 days and my mom prepares this tamarind rice during our long trips. I love to have puliyotharai with coconut chutney. Please check below for step by step instructions for preparing South Indian Puliyodharai.
Kothu Parotta literally means minced parotta. Parotta is a Indian bread prepared with All purpose flour. Kothu parotta is a very popular recipe from Tamil Nadu. It is usually served with Onion Raita. I have already posted vegetable kothu parotta . Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Egg Kothu Parotta .
Compiled is a big list of best idli and dosa side dish for quick reference. Idli and Dosa are staple foods of South India. Although Idli and dosa are cooked more frequently in my kitchen, I never get bored off and I will never say a No to dosa. Every time I prepare a different side dish to give the variation. Below are top 15 best side dish for Idli and Dosa. Click on the name or the picture to get detailed instructions and pictures.
Ribbon Murukku is a crispy South Indian snacks. This murukku is prepared in many homes during festivals like diwali, pongal and any other occassion. I love thenkuzhal murukku when compared to this ribbon murukku. I usually prepare murukku from store bought rice flour. Below preparation is an Instant Murukku preparation using store bought rice flour and besan flour. This is also called as Nada murukku or ola pakoda or ottu pakoda. This murukku will be crispy and consumes very less oil.Please check below for step wise instructions for making Ribbon Murukku.
Raw banana is a very common vegetable used in South Indian Cooking. Raw banana is called as Vazhakkai in tamil and Aratikaya in telugu. I Love raw banana bajji and Raw banana podimas. Vazhakkai varuval is a spicy crispy dry vegetable curry. Raw banana is sliced and marinated in the grind-ed spices. Then the raw banana slices are shallow fried . This Aratikaya vepudu is usually taken as a side dish to Rice. Thi vazhakkai varuval can also be served as an appetizer or snacks. check below for the detailed step wise instructions for South India Raw Banana Fry.
Banana Flower is a rich source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Banana Flower is called as Arati Puvvu in telugu and Vazhaipoo in tamil. Cleaning the banana flowers is time consuming and requires lots of patience. Allot at least one hour for cleaning the flowers. Although cleaning vazhaipoo is time consuming, when you taste the poriyal you will feel its worth giving it a try. Banana flower stir fry is usually served as a side dish to Rice. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing vazhaipoo poriyal.
Banana Tree is so amazing .. Each and every part is useful. Banana flower, Banana stem, Raw banana are used in cooking. Banana is a favourite fruit for many people. Banana leaf is used for serving food in India. Banana Flower is a rich source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It is called as Arati Puvvu in telugu and Vazhaipoo in tamil. My mom prepares Vazhaipoo Vada and Vazhaipoo poriyal often. Cleaning the banana flowers is time consuming and requires lots of patience. It took nearly one hour for me to clean the whole banana flower. My mom usually cleans banana flower during evening and stores these cleaned banana flowers in fridge. She utilizes it for next day lunch. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for cleaning banana flower.
