SOUTH INDIAN DELICACIES

Simple South Indian Thali

Today I will be posting a simple Thali which we relish in Tamil Nadu. Sambar is the famous lentil based gravy from south India. Each house in the state has a special recipe for sambar. I prepare it like my mom. The sambar powder she makes is very simple yet delicious and at my in-law’s place every one likes the sambar which I prepare. I also prepared poondu rasam, appalam, carrot poriyal and chenaikilangu varuval to go with it. The usual lunch is not complete with out curd and pickle. I have served ginger pickle for curd rice.



Today’s Menu
Cooked Rice-Plain Rice cooked in Rice Cooker
Sambar-Lentil based gravy cooked along with vegetables
Poondu Rasam-Tamarind based garlic flavored soup
Carrot Poriyal-A sweet version of a side dish with carrot 
Chenaikilangu Varuval-Elephant foot yam roast
Aval Vadagam-Vadagam with Rice flakes 
Appalam
Curd/ Thayir
Inji/ Ginger Oorugai-Pickle with ginger

Today’s Recipe:
Poondu Rasam:



Ingredients:
Garlic-2
Tamarind-a lemon sized ball
Tomato-2
Red Chilly-3
Pepper Powder-1/2tsp
Cumin Powder-1/2tsp
Oil-1tbs
Mustard Seeds-1/2tsp
Cumin seeds-1/2tsp
Urad Dhal-1/4tsp
Asafoetida/ Hing-1/4tsp
Turmeric Powder-1/4tsp
Methi Seeds-1/4tsp
Curry Leaves-a sprig
Water-4cups
Coriander Leaves-4tbs(finely chopped)

Procedure:
1. Soak tamarind in 1 cup of water.
2. After 10minutes, extract the thick juice out of tamarind.
3. Add some more water to the tamarind and extract second juice from it.
4. Discard pulp. In remaining water, crush tomato until mushy.
5. Add it to the tamarind water.
6. Grind garlic coarsely with out removing the skin. Add it to the tamarind water along with cumin and pepper powder
7. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin, mustard, urad dhal, methi seeds and asafoetida.
8. When they crackle add curry leaves and broken red chillies.
9. Add the tamarind water and let it heat until frothy. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
10. In a serving bowl, add salt and coriander leaves. Pour the frothy rasam on top and cover with lid.
11. Serve it hot with rice after 5 minutes.

The other dishes in the menu:



Carrot Poriyal



Chenaikilangu Roast(click to view recipe)












Home made Curd(click to view recipe)

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#15
Sending this to Srivalli’s Thali Mela

I love painting, dress designing and of course cooking. This blog which started as an online cookery book has given me a great insight into baking and has transformed me into a home baker who is now thriving to learn a lot about cakes and decorating techniques. This blog has thousands of tried and tasted vegetarian recipes around the world and eggless bakes.

28 Comments on “Simple South Indian Thali

  1. Today every post is tormenting me. A simple south Indian meal, that is what we enjoy. But my eyes zoned in on the Chenai. I love Chenai and yours looks perfect like the way amma cooks it. I hope you take a bite of it for me next time you make it. Such an awesome post. Thanks for sharing and making me feel nostalgic.

  2. Looks really divine Gayathri. Aval vadagam is something totally new to me…did you make it or is it store bought? Would love to get the recipe for the aval vadagam. Everything looks very tempting. Good one.

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