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North Indian snacks are always in great demand. Balls of
dough (made from maida and water) stuffed with a mixture of spiced
vegetables are deep fried and behold the popular samosa emerges. Bhel
puri, Pani Puri, dahi puri, pav bhaji, ragda pattice or the humble vada
pav are snacks which are eaten with great relish everywhere. If you are
not bothered about your calorie intake, then you can just eat and eat
without stopping. There are just too many delicious items.
South Indian food is largely roasted and steamed and not
very greasy. Rice is an essential part of any meal. Along with it, you
are given Sambhar. This is tamarind juice boiled together with lots of
vegetables , cooked dal and sambhar masala. Sambhar with rice usually
forms the 1st course.
The 2nd course is rice with rasam(a thin soup). The meal is finished
when curd and rice and a sweet dish called “payasam” are eaten.
Vegetables are in plenty. They are made both in the dry and wet form.
Coconut is liberally used. In fact, Avial (a popular dish) consists of
vegetables and dahi which is boiled along with a mixture of coconut,
jeera ,green chilies and salt. A dollop of coconut oil and some curry
leaves for tadka makes it very tasty.
Curd preparation called 'pachadi' which consists of sliced cucumber and
green chillies mixed with dahi and salt is a good side dish. Instead of
cucumber, fried bhendi, tomato or sliced carrot is also used. Another
fresh salad which is very common is sliced carrot mixed with lime juice
and salt. To this is added sauted Rai, hing and green chillies.
Fried papads or roasted papads are a common affair. “Urgai” which means
pickles are in plenty. Lime and mango are very popular. Tender mangoes
called 'maavadu' and another type of mango pickle called 'aavakai' are
local favorites.
Many rice dishes are made. Coconut rice consists of rice, salt and
roasted cocont.To this is added sauted rai, chenna dal, roasted peanuts,
green chillies and curry leaves.
Lime rice, tomato rice, bise bele bath, jeera rice and curd rice are
rice dishes which are always in demand.
Puliyogare is made on special occasions. It is made by mixing rice with
a mixture of tamarind juice and spices which have been boiled
previously. It is usually eaten along with papads or vethal.
Chutneys made from a mixture of dhania, dal and coconut are delicious to
taste. This is commonly made when dosas (rice pancakes)and idlis(steamed
rice cakes) are prepared.
Dosas and idlis are made from fermented rice and urid dal and are very
popular everywhere. The medhu” vada, potato bonda and bhajji are also
favorite snacks which have made their precense felt. All said and
done,Indian food recipes are a gourmet’s delight.
~
Author Mini Swami.
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