South Indian cuisine is renowned for its vibrant flavours, aromatic spices, and diverse dishes that often incorporate curd. Curd is a staple in South Indian households and is widely used for its cooling properties and rich nutritional profile.
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Packed with probiotics, calcium, and protein, curd-based dishes offer numerous health benefits, from improving digestion to boosting immunity. Whether you want a simple meal like thayir sadam or a complex curry like mor kuzhambu, these dishes will satisfy your cravings. Here are seven delicious and nourishing South Indian curd-based dishes that are must-try at home.
Thayir Sadam
Popularly known as 'curd rice', this is a comforting and popular South Indian dish made by mixing cooked rice with curd and tempering it with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies. It's often garnished with pomegranate seeds, grated carrots, or cucumber for added flavour and nutrition.
Mor Kuzhambu
Popular in Tamil Nadu, Mor kuzhambu is a classic South Indian buttermilk-based curry made with yoghurt, coconut, and a blend of spices. Vegetables like ash gourd, pumpkin, or okra are often added to enhance the dish's texture and flavour. The yoghurt and coconut mixture is seasoned with mustard seeds, cumin, and curry leaves for a fragrant, tangy, and slightly spicy curry. This South Indian curry is often served with hot steamed rice and potato fries.
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Avial With Curd
Avial is a mixed vegetable dish from Kerala, typically made with a variety of vegetables like drumsticks, carrots, beans, and yams, cooked in a yoghurt-coconut gravy. Curd is added towards the end of cooking to give the dish a slight tanginess and a creamy texture. The addition of curd enhances the dish's probiotic content, aiding in digestion and boosting the immune system.
Also Read: 8 South Indian Dishes That Feature Jaggery
Pachadi
Pachadi is a South Indian yoghurt-based side dish that can be prepared in several variations depending on the ingredients used. Common versions of pachadi include cucumber pachadi, beetroot pachadi, and mango pachadi, all of which are mixed with yoghurt and tempered with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Pachadi is commonly eaten with rice and lentil curry.
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Thayir Vadai
Thayir vadai or curd vada, is a popular South Indian snack or side dish made from deep-fried lentil dumplings soaked in spiced yoghurt. The vadas are first fried until crispy, then soaked in water to soften before being submerged in seasoned curd. Garnished with coriander, grated carrots, and pomegranate seeds, this dish is a delightful combination of textures and flavours. Curd vada is high in protein due to the lentils and rich in probiotics from the yoghurt, making it both a delicious and nutritious treat.
Majjige Huli
Majjige huli is a yoghurt-based curry from Karnataka that is similar to mor kuzhambu but has its own unique twist. The dish is made with vegetables like cucumber, ash gourd, or chayote, cooked in a spicy yoghurt and coconut gravy. It's seasoned with a blend of spices, including cumin, coriander, and mustard seeds, and finished with fresh cilantro.
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Poosanikkai Mor Kootu
Poosanikkai mor kootu is a Tamil Nadu speciality made with ash gourd cooked in a coconut and yoghurt gravy. The dish is mildly spiced with green chillies and cumin and is typically served with steamed rice. The yoghurt adds creaminess and a probiotic boost, while the coconut provides healthy fats, making poosanikkai mor kootu a balanced and nourishing dish.