- By Bornika Das
- Thu, 06 Mar 2025 09:33 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
South Indian rice dishes are the perfect morning breakfast for an individual. Apart from being a flavourful treat to the taste buds, they satisfy the appetite and provide essential nutrients to the body. People who are opting for a healthier way to kickstart their morning can opt for South Indian breakfast options. South Indian rice dishes are easy-to-digest, fermented or steamed, and provide energy to sustain throughout the day. These dishes often include lentils, spices, and coconut, providing a balanced meal.
Rice is considered to be the staple of Indian cuisine, providing nourishment to millions. South Indian dishes mainly use rice in their recipes. Nutritionists and dieticians suggest incorporating rice during the main meals of the day, that is, lunch or dinner. However, in South Indian cuisine, several rice-made dishes can be included in the breakfast. From dosa to sevai, take a look at six South Indian rice breakfast recipes.
Easy South Indian Rice Dishes For Breakfast
Dosa
Dosa is considered to be the most famous South Indian breakfast. It is a thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter. While many love the traditional plain dosa, there are several variations like masala dosa and rava dosa. Dosas are usually paired with chutney and sambar. They provide a combination of carbohydrates and proteins, ensuring a balanced diet.
Idli
Idli is yet another healthy and popular South Indian breakfast dish. They are soft, light and fluffy cakes that are steamed to perfection. Made with rice and urad dal, idlis are light on the stomach and packed with nutrients and probiotics that aid digestion. They are served with coconut chutney and sambar.
Rice Puttu
Hailing from Kerela, Rice Puttu is a popular breakfast. It is made from rice flour and grated coconut and steamed in cylindrical moulds. The dish has a unique texture and is often served with ripe bananas, sugar or Kadala curry. It is a good source of carbohydrates and fibre to provide energy throughout the day.
Adai
Adai is a delicious pancake that is rich in protein. It is one of the easiest recipes that can be made for breakfast. To make this, rice and lentils are soaked and then ground to a slightly coarse batter. Unlike dosa, there is no need to ferment the batter.
Pongal For Breakfast (Image Credits: Canva)
Pongal
Pongal is a South Indian breakfast dish that is flavoured with mild spices. Made with rice and yellow moong dal, pongal has a porridge-like consistency. The dish is tempered with cumin, asafoetida, and black pepper. This dish is easy-to-digest and provides energy to fuel the entire day. Also known as Ben Pongal, it is usually served with coconut chutney and sambar. There are several other variants like Sakkarai Pongal and Rava Pongal.
Sevai
Also known as idiyappam in some regions, sevai is a traditional dish made from rice flour. The dough is pressed into noodle-like strands and steamed until soft. There are different recipes to prepare sevai, including lemon sevai, coconut sevai, or tamarind savai. It is light, easy-to-digest and pairs well with chutney or curd.
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