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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU |
This Menu is one quick combination of South Indian Tiffin Items which suits well to be catered for a Breakfast or a Dinner. The Menu in this post consists of Rava Kesari, Ven Pongal, Uzhundhu Vadai, Tiffin Sambar & Coconut Chutney. And it is served along with a wonderful Dabara full of South Indian Filter Coffee. A simple Mini Tiffin Menu, which can easily be fixed with simple planning & preparations.
Mini Tiffin is one Menu served commonly in South Indian Restaurants and specifically in Saravana Bhavan and Shree Annapoorna Gowrisankar, CBE. I never miss a chance of ordering Mini Tiffin when I eat at these restaurants. Though heavy for my standards, I gobble up each dish leaving my tummy full and sedated out of food. The chance of eating these varieties cater only when I travel back to places where these restaurants exist. To eat at Shree Annapoorna Gowrisankar, needless to say I need to go to my hometown CBE. Saravana Bhavan have their outlet in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. So a trip to Singapore or KL is incomplete without eating at this place.
The Mini Tiffin catered in Shree Annapoorna Gowrisankar and Saravana Bhavan usually consists of a Bowl of Mini Idli soaked up in Sambar, Uzhundhu Vadai, Plain Dosai or Mini Masal Dosai, Ven Pongal or Rava Kichadi & Kesari. The platter would come along with 2-3 different varieties of Chutneys, Coconut Chutney, Kara Chutney, Kothamalli Pudina Chutney and a small bowl of Sambar. Sometimes Pongal/Masal Dosai would be substituted with Poori and Potato Masala.
Whatsoever, a heavy-heavy Breakfast and later the day gets to be like Potha Potha(in terms of my Son). But when you get a chance of tasting all goodies in one platter, and it is possible only at times, then I would personally would never miss a chance. And least to mention the Filter Coffee, which is an absolute showstopper.
The menu in this post is a quick fix one with a few Tiffin items, not all the dishes mentioned in Mini Tiffin Menu, but just a few to satiate the so-called craving for Mini Tiffin. This Menu happened a few days back. I had planned to make Uzhundhu Vadai and Rava Kesari for evening snacks, and it got postponed to Dinner, then I added Ven Pongal to go along with the above two dishes. Served it along with Sambar and Coconut Chutney and finished off the dinner with a strong cup of Filter Coffee.
So here goes a simple South Indian Breakfast/Dinner Platter and here it's as they display in South Indian Restaurants. Let me list it down in that style...
TODAY'S SPECIAL:
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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU |
Cuisine - South Indian
Recipe Type - Breakfast/Dinner Menu
Difficulty - Medium
Serves - 3-4
Author - SM
Soaking Time - 30 minutes to 2 Hours
Preparation Time - 1 Hour
Cooking Time - 11/2 - 2 Hours.
For more TIFFIN ITEMS, Click here...
MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU
UZHUNDHU VADAI
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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU - UZHUNDHU VADAI |
Uzhundhu Vadai or Medhu Vadai is one ultimate tea time snack, or an item served in a Breakfast/Lunch Menu. A call for a special South Indian Vegetarian Menu is incomplete without Uzhundhu Vadai. Some Menus serve Paruppu Vadai instead of Uzhundhu Vadai too.
For a detailed recipe on UZHUNDHU VADAI/MEDHU VADAI, Click here...
These crispy fritters are prepared with Urad Dhal. Soaking and grinding it in a perfect way is the secret behind crispy Medhu Vadais. And ya, the quality of Urad Dhal plays a major role in the texture of a Uzhundhu Vadai. As the name suggests - Medhu Vadai which means 'Soft & Light' these Urad Dhal Fritters are Crispy, light and soft(inside). I have always wondered why these Uzhundhu Vadais are prepared with a hole in the centre similar to Donuts. That is the trick to ensure that they are evenly cooked, even at the centres.
Simply season the Ulundhu Vadais with Pepper Corns, Curry Leaves or can add finely chopped Onions, Green Chillies and Ginger. I usually grind Ginger and Green Chillies with Urad Dhal(Uzhundhu).
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| UZHUNDHU VADAI/MEDHU VADAI |
For a detailed recipe on UZHUNDHU VADAI/MEDHU VADAI, Click here...
Uzhundhu Vadai is one main item in Mini Tiffin or in a South Indian Breakfast Menu. Serve it along with hot-hot Sambar and Coconut Chutney. Alternatively, soak them in hot Sambar and serve it as Sambar Vadais in this Menu.
For Different type of VADAI RECIPES, Click here...
RAVA KESARI
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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU - RAVA KESARI |
A Classic Indian sweet which originated from the South Indian state of Karnataka colloquially called as Kesari Bhath. This is one
sweet which is not only served as a Dessert but even as a
dish in a South Indian Tiffin/Breakfast Menu. A scoop of Rava Kesari is a must-have in a good spread of South Indian Breakfast. Most of the restaurants and even you can see a scoop of Rava Kesari in a Wedding Breakfast Platter. And all the more this is one easy dish which can be made in a spree, a call for a sweet tooth can be quickly succumbed with this Rava Kesari.
For more KESARI RECIPES, Click here...
VEN PONGAL
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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU - VEN PONGAL |
Ven Pongal/Khara Pongal is a distinct dish with a unique taste, few ingredients and less time to cook. So simple yet a rich dish. This dish is very nutritious due to its perfect blend of Carbohydrates and Proteins. The spices used also makes the dish healthy. This is a special breakfast dish served in Tamil Nadu and Southern parts of Andhra Pradesh. The savoury variety of this dish includes Milagu Pongal, Khara Pongal and Puli Pongal.
I have made Ven Pongal with Millets(Samai) in this Mini Tiffin Menu. You can make the same recipe with Raw Rice or Semolina or any other Millet of your choice. When perfectly cooked Ven Pongal is a dish to be devoured. The fuming hot Ven Pongal served along with Sambar and Coconut chutney is one perfect combination.
For more VEN PONGAL RECIPES, Click here...
Instead of Ven Pongal, you can also serve Upma or Rava Kichadi in this mini Tiffin Menu.
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SAMBAR
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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU - TIFFIN SAMBAR |
Usually two different versions of Sambar, one version is the one suitable for serving along with Rice and the other one goes along with Tiffin Items. But you can get easy with your preferred method to serve in this Mini Tiffin Menu. I have made Tiffin Sambar, which is a quick version and also goes well with Pongal and Vadai.
The consistency of Tiffin Sambar should be slightly thin compared to the Sambar prepared to go along with Rice. Tiffin Sambar is colloquially called Hotel Sambar in South India, as Hotel is a common term used for a Restaurant.
For more SAMBAR RECIPES, Click here...
COCONUT CHUTNEY
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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU - COCONUT CHUTNEY |
There are quite a variation of Chutneys and Coconut Chutney is one
which comes to our mind on the first hand. A quick version to suit
almost all South Indian Tiffin and Snack items, this is one universal Chutney which goes along with most of the dishes. This chutney is a default side dish in any South
Indian Restaurant.
This Coconut Chutney is prepared with freshly grated coconuts. Coconuts are ground to paste along with Roasted Bengal Gram Dhal(Pottukadalai)
for a nutty flavour along with spices like Green Chillies,
Ginger/Garlic/Shallots. A hint of tamarind can also be added to this
Chutney. It is tempered with Mustard Seeds, Urad dhal, Dry Chillies and
Curry Leaves to enhance the overall flavour of Chutney, but tempering
is purely optional, as they taste great as it is. To make a thicker
version (Getti Chutney) grind them with very less water. Grinding them
in Ammikkal (Stone Mortar and Pestle) gives a brighter note to this
chutney.
For more CHUTNEY RECIPES, Click here...
FILTER COFFEE
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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU - FILTER COFFEE |
There are many ways a coffee is made throughout the world. But when it comes to my personal favourite I would always vote for a freshly brewed Filter Coffee. South Indian filter coffee is a strong, milky coffee with decoction that’s made using a coffee filter, and served in a traditional Dabarah and Tumbler. Filter Coffee is one best combo, which goes hand in hand with a South Indian Breakfast Menu.
For a detailed recipe on HOW TO MAKE FILTER COFFEE, Click here...
If you do not prefer or cannot get hold of this type of Coffee, get easy with any type of Instant Coffee, Black Coffee or any other preferred version of Coffee of your choice to finish off your Mini Tiffin Menu. And Ya, if you are a Tea person then go ahead with your preferred Chai to team up with this Mini Tiffin.
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| MINI TIFFIN - SOUTH INDIAN BREAKFAST MENU |
A wonderful combination of simple South Indian Tiffin items for a great Breakfast/Dinner Menu. Just a bit of time, preparation and cooking, there you go with a heart contending & wholesome meal.
