South India is the land of rice dishes. Every state in Southern India has different variations of rice dishes made of unique ingredients. Such diverse recipes. It takes a lifetime to learn about Indian states, culture, and food. South Indian states Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have an exclusive cooking style, you just have to explore each one of them yourself. Indian cuisine as most westerns know is not just naan, chicken butter masala. It is quite elaborate. Exploring Indian cuisine is quite fun. So many ingredients, so many variations, whats common is the great taste. South Indian rice dishes are clean. They are made of fresh, clean ingredients. Turmeric in mango rice gives you the best nutrition. Moreover, most of them are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free.
Paala undrallu
This dish is natively made for Ganesh Chaturthi festival in southern parts of India. Popularly known as paala undrallu (Milk modak). Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day-long festival every year. It is the most popular festival of Maharashtra. It is said Ganesh Chaturthi was started by Chhatrapati Shivaji and It is been celebrated since the days of Maratha rulers: Satavahana, Chalukya, and Rashtrakuta. Now it is mainly celebrated in southern states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh. Among them, Maharashtra is the state known for high scale celebrations.
Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’ is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is celebrated on 4th day of Hindu lunar calendar month of Bhadrapada maasa. Which is usually in mid-August to mid-September. Kudumulu or Undrallu are steamed sweet rice balls made of rice flour, Jaggery, typically made Andhra Pradesh state in India.
Coconut, jaggery stuffed modak
The day is dry and bright. The people are preparing for an auspicious day. The day Lord Ganesha gives strength to overcome the obstacles in our lives, makes us stronger. The prayers have listened, all mighty Ganesha will lead us along the path of righteousness. All of Mumbai, indeed all of India, is full to bursting with anticipation. This can only mean one thing: Ganapathi Bappa Moria. Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’ is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. With such a hype, you’d expect gatherings, puja, food, decorations… and you will not be disappointed! The spirit goes on for a whole 10 days. One has to experience the high energy Ganesh Chaturthi for whole 10 days from puja on day 1 till procession on the on the 10th day of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is said that the high spirited Ganesh Chaturthi procession started as early as 1894.
Kudumulu in Sweet potato and poppy seed gravy
Kudumulu or Undrallu are steamed sweet rice balls made of rice flour, Jaggery, typically made Andhra Pradesh state in India. They offered to Lord Ganesha on the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chavithi). They are also called bellam kudumulu, teepi kudumulu, bellam undrallu. Fresh sweet potato crop comes in fall, though they are available throughout the year. Perfect time for Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri, and Diwali. Ganesh Chaturthi is also a festival of food. Lord Ganesh is said to be a foodie. His favorites varieties of Prasad are modak, kheer, Puran Poli, undrallu, kudumulu, and list goes on. Foodies wait for mouth-watering food made of grated jaggery, coconuts, and dry fruits on Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ganesh Chaturthi is high spirit and enthusiastic celebration. Preparations start days before the festival. Preparations to make Ganesh idol to buying new clothes and planning for food etc. Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’.
Panchamritham – all time favorite festive offering
Panchamritham is a liquid sweet, which is offered to God during worship or Puja in Hinduism. This sweet mixture is made of five ingredients. Pancha is 5, amrutham is nectar. In Hindu Mythology Nectar (Amrutham) is a divine food of Gods which gives them Immortality.5 ingredients are honey, jaggery, milk, yogurt, and ghee. It is made at home and at temples as a luxurious offering to God during worship. Panchamritham is filled in a bowl and kept in front of God idol representing that we are offering it god. Rest is offered to guests. In certain regions, yagna is performed, and panchamrit is offered to God by pouring it on fire.
Steamed rice balls in pumpkin, poppy seed gravy
Pumpkin season is right around the corner here in United States. Perfect time for Ganesh Chaturthi prasad. Why not take advantage this season? Pumpkins are actually very healthy! They are low in calories, fat and sodium, and rich in vitamin A, potassium and fiber! Pumpkins may not be available in every region. You can certainly substitute pumpkin with sweet potato. Follow same cooking instruction. But cooking time may vary. This dish can certainly made vegan. It takes very less milk. Replace milk with coconut milk.
Ganesh chaturthi is also festival of food. Lord Ganesh is said to be foodie. His favorites varieties of prasad are modak, kheer, puran poli, undrallu, kudumulu and list goes on. Foodies wait for mouth-watering food made of grated jaggery, coconuts and dry fruits.
Lemon rice with turmeric
You call it lemon rice or yellow rice, it is Indian’s most favorite festive food. It is favorite offering to Indian gods. One of the easiest and a favorite dish made for guests, special occasions. In fact, a number of rice-based recipes are made in different regions. An all-natural, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo dish. Replacing white rice with brown rice or quinoa will add a great number of nutrients.
For westerners, lemon is rice is known as yellow rice. For them, it is probably a mere rice dish. But this dish made a special appearance in millions of family get-togethers, weddings, festivals etc. In typical south Indian family lemon rice is a staple food and also a very festive dish. If you are looking for an authentic way of making lemon rice, here it is.
Sweet potato, cashew stuffed steamed modak
Fresh sweet potato crop comes in fall, though they are available throughout the year. Perfect time for Ganesh Chaturthi, navarathri and Diwali. Sweet potatoes are rich source of vitamin A, several other essential nutrients including vitamins B-6, C, E, K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate and pantothenic acid, as well as numerous minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. This dish has no milk. Ghee can be substituted with coconut oil or other flavored oils. That makes it a perfect vegan dish.
Ganesh chaturthi is also festival of food. Lord Ganesh is said to be foodie. His favorites varieties of prasad are modak, kheer, puran poli, undrallu, kudumulu and list goes on. Foodies wait for mouth-watering food made of grated jaggery, coconuts and dry fruits.
Pumpkin, coconut stuffed modak
Ganesh Chaturthi is high spirit and enthusiastic celebration. Preparations start days before the festival. Preparations to make ganesh idol to buying new clothes and planning for food etc. Ganesh Chaturthi also known as ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’ is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is celebrated on 4th day of Hindu lunar calendar month of Bhadrapada maasa. Which is usually in mid-August to mid-September. Ganesh chaturthi is also festival of food. Foodies like me wait every year for mouthwatering prasad. Lord Ganesh is said to be foodie. Many varieties of prasad as modak, kheer, puran poli, undrallu, kudumulu etc are made and offered to him. North Indian way of modak is deep fried. Flour dough is rolled, and closed with filling, then deep fried. In south india modak’s are steamed with filling and rice flour on top.
