Embark on a culinary journey through India with 8 must-try breakfast dishes! Explore diverse flavors & start your day right. Read on for tantalizing tastes!
Mornings in India are a vibrant affair, a symphony
of sounds and smells, especially when it comes to breakfast! Ditch the mundane and embark on a culinary journey across the diverse regions of India, right from your own kitchen (or your favorite local eatery!).
This article will guide you through eight must-try vegetarian Indian breakfast dishes that will not only tantalize your taste buds but also provide a healthy and energetic start to your day.
Prepare to be transported to different corners of the country as we explore these delectable morning delights!
Let's begin with a South Indian favorite
Idli and Sambar. These soft, fluffy steamed rice cakes are a breakfast staple in almost every South Indian household. Idlis are incredibly light and digestible, making them a perfect healthy option.
Served with a generous helping of sambar, a lentil-based vegetable stew, and coconut chutney, it's a complete and satisfying meal. The fermented batter used to make idlis is also great for gut health! The Sambar adds a burst of flavours with its mixed veg, and unique South Indian masalas.
It's a great option even for someone not used to spicy food, as the spices are balanced. Try adding some Podi ( a spicy powder mix) with some ghee on the idli if you like it extra flavourful!
Popular Maharashtrian Poha: light, flavorful breakfast with various variations
Next up is the ever-popular Poha from Maharashtra. Poha, made from flattened rice, is a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast option. Tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, onions, and a squeeze of lemon, it’s a burst of flavor in every bite.
The soft and chewy texture of the flattened rice combined with the tangy flavors makes it a winner. Garnish it with fresh coriander and a sprinkle of sev (crispy noodle shavings) for added texture. Different variations of Poha are available too. One popular one is Kanda Poha, made with onions.
Another one is Batata Poha, made with potatoes. Poha is light on the tummy, unlike many heavy Indian breakfasts. If you want to experiment, try adding some peanuts to give it a better flavour.
Aloo Paratha from Punjab: a hearty, indulgent flatbread with spiced potato filling
Moving towards the North, we have Aloo Paratha from Punjab. Aloo Paratha is a wheat flour flatbread stuffed with a spiced potato filling. Cooked on a griddle with a generous dollop of butter or ghee, it’s a truly indulgent breakfast. It is usually had with curd/yogurt or white butter.
Some spicy pickles are optional too! Served hot with a side of yogurt or pickle, it's a fulfilling and hearty meal that will keep you going all morning. The warmth of the paratha, the savory filling, and the coolness of the yogurt create a perfect balance of flavors.
It's a great recipe to try at home, and you can play with the potato filling to customize flavour and spice as per your personal liking!
Gujarati Dhokla: Steamed, tangy, spongy cake made from besan batter, paired with chutneys
From Gujarat, we bring you Dhokla. Dhokla is a steamed savory cake made from fermented besan (gram flour) batter. It is light, spongy, and slightly tangy, making it a incredibly different breakfast option.
Tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies, it's a flavorful and healthy dish. Dhokla is often served with a sweet and tangy tamarind chutney or green chutney. The fermentation process also makes it easy to digest. It is not very spicy, so children tend to like it too.
A slightly modified version of Dhokla, called Khatta Dhokla, is another popular variation. Try it if you want a slightly tangy flavour!
Hearty Rajasthani meal of Dal Baati without Churma; smoky flavor and ghee
Let's journey to Rajasthan for a taste of Dal Baati Churma (without the Churma!). This hearty Rajasthani meal consists of dal (lentil curry) and baati (baked wheat rolls). The baatis are traditionally cooked over charcoal, giving them a unique smoky flavor.
While the complete dish includes churma (a sweet crumbled wheat dish), the dal and baati combination on its own is a satisfying and nutritious breakfast. Dip the baati in the flavorful dal and savor the rustic flavors of Rajasthan.
The smokey flavor that is imparted by the charcoal cooking process cannot be replicated easily. A generous helping of ghee is usually put on the Dal and Baati.
Upma, a versatile semolina dish popular in South and West India, cooked with veggies and spices
Finally, we have Upma, a versatile dish, popular across South and West India. Upma is a semolina-based dish that is quick, easy, and healthy. Roasted rava (semolina) is cooked with vegetables, spices, and herbs to create a flavorful and fulfilling breakfast.
You can add any vegetables of your choice to Upma. The most common ones are onions, carrots, peas and beans. The Upma is usually garnished with coriander leaves. A little lemon juice can bring a tangy flavor to it in the end. There are many variations of Upma.
One popular variation is Rava Upma, made with Rava. Another one is bread upma made with bread.
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