South Indian cuisine is popularly known for its rich flavours, vibrant spices, and a wide range of dishes. The respective cuisine cannot be explained in one or two lines. Among the diverse options, people tend to choose the simplest options for dinner.
South Indian cuisine is best regarded for its balanced meals. Mostly the South Indian dishes are vegetarian or vegan but are packed with protein-rich ingredients. These dishes may be a great choice for dinner options. Protein keeps you full for longer periods and allows you to eat in controlled portions and curb the midnight cravings as they will provide both satisfaction and essential nutrients.
Here are six South Indian dinner recipes that are high in protein. Take a look.
- Soya Uttapam
Uttapam is a traditional South Indian pancake made from the batter of fermented rice and lentils. To boost its protein content, soya granule or soya batter is incorporated into uttapam. Soya is dubbed to be an excellent alternative to meat. Soya is an excellent source of plant protein when included in the dish makes it extremely delicious and nutritious. Soya uttapam is topped with chopped onions, tomatoes, and green chillies, making it a favourful and filling dinner option.
- Oats Idli
Idli is a popular South Indian breakfast staple, but those who are watching their weight can also consume it for dinner. It is a steamed cake made from fermented rice and urad dal batter. This variation of idli, oats idli features the incorporation of oats into the batter, adding a boost of fibre and protein. Apart from being high in protein, oats are also rich in complex carbohydrates. Oats idli perfectly paired with coconut chutney and sambar for a satisfying protein-rich dinner.
- Pesarattu
It is a protein-packed dosa variant from Andhra Pradesh. This dosa is made moong dal and rice batter and is spiced up with ginger, green chillies, and cumin seeds, giving a distinct taste to Pesarattu. Besides being rich in protein, moong dal is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. Pesarattu is often served with ginger chutney or coconut chutney. It makes a wholesome dinner option.
- Peerkangai Kootu
This is a traditional South Indian dish that is made with ridge gourd (peerkangai). Here the vegetable is cooked in coconut and lentil gravy. The vegetable is high in dietary fibre and protein and low in calories. It makes an excellent dinner option as it is nutritious. The dish is made flavourful by the addition of lentils and coconut. The dish is served with steamed rice or roti.
- Sambar
This is the most common and popular South Indian dish made from lentils, vegetables, and an array of aromatic spices. In sambar mostly toor dalor moong dal is used as they are an excellent source of protein. The incorporation of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and drumsticks adds nutritional value and texture to the dish. The dish perfectly pairs with rice, dosa, and idli, making an ideal dinner option.
- Avial
This is a traditional South Indian curry made from an array of vegetables cooked in a coconut and yoghurt-based gravy. Vegetables such as carrots, beans, drumsticks, and pumpkin are used in the dish and are simmered until tender. Coconut and yoghurt add a creamy richness to the dish. Although avial is a vegetable-based dish, the addition of yoghurt makes it protein-rich. It can be enjoyed with steamed rice or dosa.