30 min South Indian Thali

Click the image on the left to see the cookbook. This cookbook lists 10 simple recipes that make a traditional South Indian Thali. These 10 recipes can be cooked in 30 minutes by anyone. The following recipes are listed in this cookbook

1.: Andhra Pappula Podi

2.:  Andhra Nuvvula Podi

3.:  Kerala Thenga Chammandi

4.:  Karnataka Shunti Tambli

5.:  Tamil Thayir Pachadi

6.:  Aviyal 

7.:  Kerala Mezhukuperatti

8.:. Papad / Vadam 

9.:  Peerkangai Kootu

10.:Chettinadu Kara Kulambu

South Indian Cuisine : Building Blocks

Lentils, Tamarind, Yogurt and Coconut – this is all you need to cook up a huge array of South Indian curries. Let us see how each building block translates into recipes.

Lentils :

Podi  (Dry lentil powders)  : Blend roasted lentils with chilies and salt.

Coconut:

Thenga Chammandi (Blended coconut curry): Blend coconut tamarind and green chilies to a thick paste. Eat mixed with rice. Called Thenga Thpogayal in Tamilnadu, this is a idiot proof recipe. 

Kootu : Blend coconut, green chili, cumin  & salt  to a paste. Mix in boiled vegetables.  Simmer for a few minutes.

Yogurt :

Thayir pachadi : Raw yogurt curry.

Mix in grated veggies, chopped green chlies and salt with yogurt.

Yogurt + Coconut:

Aviyal : Blend yogurt, coconut, green chili, cumin & salt  to a paste. Mix in boiled vegetables.  Flavour with coconut oil and crushed curry leaves.

Tambli: Blend yogurt, coconut, green chili, salt and a variety of additives  to a paste.

Tamarind :                                         

Kulambu: Mix tamarind paste with water. Add sambar/ kulambu powder and salt. Mix in boiled vegetables.

Cooking Rice:

Add one cup pf rice and two cups of water to a pressure cooker. Close and pressure cook on medium heat for three whistles. Let cool and open.

Universal Garnish for all southie curries:

Heat a spoon of oil. Add two pinches of mustard seeds, a few curry leaves and a pinch of asafetida.