The state of Tamil Nadu has a distinct
place in culinary map of the country. Many dishes from Tamil Nadu are
enjoyed by one and all and are now a part of the national cuisine.
Tamil Nadu has a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies to
offer. The food here gets its flavor from a host of spices and condiments
used in Tamil Nadu. Coconut, tamarind and asafoetida are a must for almost
all vegetarian recipes. Garam masala is avoided in Tamil cuisine. In Tamil
Nadu Coconut oil is normally used as the medium of cooking. Chutneys and
mixed spice are served in the lunch and enhance the taste of the meal.
In Tamil Nadu, a typical meal consists of rice (mostly steamed), lentils,
grains and vegetables. Chettinad cuisine of Tamil Nadu is particularly
famous all over the country. This cuisine is hot and spicy and provides
delectable variety in mutton, chicken and fish dishes. Chettinad Pepper
Chicken is one of the most famous dishes in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil style of
Mughali food can be tasted in the Biriyanis and Paya. Paya is a type of
spiced trotters broth and is eaten with either Parathas or Appam.
In Tamil Nadu cuisine, breakfast or tiffin includes idly(steamed rice
cakes), dosai (a pancake made from a batter of rice) and lentils crisp fried
on a pan, vada(deep fried doughnuts made from a batter of lentils), pongal
(a mash of rice and lentils boiled together and seasoned with ghee, cashew
nuts, pepper and cummin seed), uppuma(cooked semolina seasoned in oil with
mustard, pepper, cumin seed and dry lentils). Most of the dishes in Tamil
Nadu are eaten with coconut chutney, sambar (seasoned lentil broth) and
mulaga podi (a powdered mix of several dried lentils eaten with oil).
The Tamil Lunch or meals consists of cooked rice served with different
kinds of vegetable dishes, Sambar, chutneys, Rasam (a hot broth made with
tamarind juice and pepper) and curd(yogurt). The non-vegetarian lunch
includes curries or dishes cooked with mutton, chicken or fish. Tamil meals
are incomplete without crisp Papads or Appalam.
Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, is famous for its filter coffee. Most
Tamils have a subtle disliking for instant coffee, therefore filter coffee
is more popular. The preparation of filter coffee is almost like a daily
chore, the coffee beans have to be first roasted and then ground. The coffee
powder is then put into a filter set and hot boiled water is added to
prepare the boiling and allowed to set for about 15 minutes. The decoction
is then added to milk with sugar to taste. The drink thus prepared is then
poured from one container to another in rapid succession to make the perfect
frothy cup of filter coffee. An exotic drink that refreshes you and the
taste that lingers.
So just taste some of the recipes from Tamil Nadu and you won't be able to
resist tasting other delicious dishes of this state also.
Here is a list of famous Tamil Nadu recipes:
Idli
Masala Dosa
Medu Vada
Masala Vada
Sambar
Pal Payasam
Coconut Chutney
Chettinad Chicken
Ven Pongal
Vegetable Uppama
Mulaga Podi
