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Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And this is the reason why cultures across the world and even across India have their own signature breakfast dishes that reflect this need for a sumptuous breakfast and local flavours. But when it comes to breakfast traditions in certain parts of India, like Kerala, the idea of the first meal of the day is not only unique but also unexpected. This is because in Kerala, it is tradition to serve curries for breakfast and not just quick-and-easy meals.
You might have heard how staples like Puttu and Appam are served in Kerala for breakfast. But the fact is that all of these sides are served traditionally with curries, which makes curries the must-have central dish in Kerala cuisine for breakfast. Now, you may associate curries with lunches and dinners, but the tradition of eating curries for breakfast in Kerala serves the population really well.
This is because with a curry, especially a light one, and a side of rice-based creations like Puttu, Dosa, Appam, etc breakfast turns into a large meal that can actually sustain you till much later. In fact, if breakfast like a king or queen is your life’s goal, then Kerala cuisine has it sorted like no other. Want to try a few Kerala-style curries for breakfast? Here are some options you can explore.
Video Credit: YouTube/Hebbars Kitchen
Kadala Curry
Made with black chickpeas or kala chana, which is known as kadala in Kerala, this simple vegetarian curry is a must-have with Puttu. Kadala Curry usually features boiled chickpeas that have been cooked in a gravy made of onions, tomatoes and coconut milk, not to mention a scrumptious tadka or tempering of curry leaves.
Nadan Mutta Curry
Everybody loves eggs for breakfast, but in Kerala, breakfast is incomplete without Nadan Mutta Curry served with hot Appams. This spicy and decadent egg curry is flavoured with coconut milk and spices, and has a distinctive reddish hue too. The boiled eggs are peeled, fried and added to a rich and spicy gravy made with onions, tomatoes and coconut milk that is flavoured with curry leaves.
Cherupayar Stew
Another vegetarian curry served in Kerala for breakfast, this one is also known for being very nutritious because it is made with lentils. Cherupayar refers to green moong dal in Malayalam, which means that this delicious curry is made with green moong dal and often also with yellow moong dal. The addition of coconut oil, mild spices and lots of coconut milk makes this simple vegetarian curry a big hit when served with Puttu or Appam.
Video Credit: YouTube/Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana
Meen Moilee
Fish has always been considered to be a very nutritious ingredient, so it makes absolute sense that the Malayalis serve it up for breakfast. When it comes to fish dishes for breakfast, Meen Moilee leads the way like no other. Simple cuts of fish are slathered with basic spices, fried and then added to a curry sauce made of onions, tomatoes and coconut milk. The tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves on top of this dish elevates it too.
Chicken Stew
Packed with the goodness of chicken, vegetables and coconut milk, this simple stew—or Ishtu as it is known in Kerala—is a dish that is a must-have for breakfast with Appams and Dosa. The chicken and the vegetables, like beans, carrots, onions and more, are cooked simply in coconut oil and whole spices. Then, thick coconut milk is added on top and the stew is simmered on low heat until ready. This one is also flavoured with a tempering of curry leaves, mustard seeds and red chillies.
Ularthiyathu
A spicy, rich and dry sort of curry that usually features red meat, Ularthiyathu offers a great breakfast kick early in the morning when served with a range of flatbreads. Nowadays, the dish is also made with chicken for those who don’t want to eat red meat for health reasons. This dish is made by stir-frying onions, meat chunks and lots of spices including red chillies, curry leaves, turmeric, cumin and more, in lots of coconut oil.
Thalassery Mutton Curry
This Malabar-special dish is not only eaten for breakfast but also served on special occasions like Vishu and Easter in the region. Spicy and reddish in colour, Thalassery Mutton Curry is made with a thick paste of coconut, chillies and sometimes even small onions or shallots. The paste and the mutton are stir fried until half-cooked, then coconut milk is added to create the rich gravy this dish is famed for.
