- By Iram Hussain
- Wed, 23 Apr 2025 05:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Steamed South Indian Dishes: A traditional South Indian meal is a culinary delight, renowned for its diverse and vibrant flavours, aromas and textures. This iconic cuisine is cherished by many for its comforting and satisfying qualities, making it a beloved choice for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. What makes South Indian cuisine special is its emphasis on steaming and boiling which preserves the natural goodness of the ingredients. The result is a light and nourishing meal that is easy to digest.
Steamed South Indian dishes are perfect for a light meal as they are gentle on the palate and provide a soothing conclusion to the day. The subtle flavours and aromas of these dishes create a truly comforting and delightful dining experience, making them an ideal choice for a relaxing dinner. So, here, we've listed some best steamed South Indian recipes that you must try in your dinner.
Steamed South Indian Dishes
Idli
Idli is a classic South Indian delicacy, consisting of steamed rice cakes prepared from a fermented batter of rice and lentils. To prepare, mix rice and lentil flour with water, ferment overnight and steam in idli moulds. Idli's soft, fluffy texture and mild flavour make it a comforting dinner option, that is generally enjoyed with sambar and chutney.
Puttu
Puttu is a popular South Indian steamed rice dish made from rice flour and coconut. To prepare, mix rice flour with coconut and water and then fill into puttu moulds and steam. Puttu's unique texture and flavour combined with its nutritious ingredients make it a satisfying and indulgent dinner meal.
Idiyappam
Idiyappam is a traditional South Indian steamed rice noodle dish made by simply mixing rice flour with water and a pinch of salt. Then press through a mould and steam. Idiyappam's delicate and lacy texture and mild flavour will surely satisfy your taste buds.
South Indian recipes for healthy eating (Image Credits: Canva)
Rava Idli
Rava idli is a variation of the traditional idli, made with semolina (rava) instead of rice. Mix semolina with yogurt, water and spices. Ferment the batter overnight and steam in idli moulds the next morning. Rava idli's soft and fluffy texture makes it a comforting dinner choice.
Kozhukattai
Kozhukattai is another traditional South Indian steamed rice dumpling which is made from rice flour and coconut. Mix rice flour with coconut and water and then shape into dumplings followed by steaming. Its sweet flavour makes it a delightful and indulgent dinner option, often served with coconut chutney.