In the world of cuisine, Indian cuisine holds a special place in the hearts of food lovers all over the world. The cuisine of India is as diverse as the nation itself, whether it's North, South, West or East, you will find a diverse range of dishes that cater to all preferences such as vegetarian or non vegetarian. One such cuisine that is very popular is South Indian cuisine and you can find a South Indian food restaurant in Orlando to experience popular dishes such as Idli, Masala Dosa and Sambar.
Interesting Facts About The Cuisine
- Rice as foundation: In almost every dish of South India, you can find rice as the most fundamental ingredient of them.
- Five States: Believe it or not, the magic of South Indian cuisine belongs to five states of the region i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka.
- Beyond traditional Dosas and Idlis: Dosa and Idli are probably the first dishes that will come to mind when someone thinks of South Indian food. But, there is much more to cuisine than dosas. Some of the other popular dishes are Payasam, Upma, Puliharra and Pesarattu. You may not know that jaggery and palm sugar are very popular to boost the overall taste of the dishes.
- Coconut Chutneys: Coconut is the ingredient that is most used in the dishes of Kerala. The major reason behind the popularity of coconut in Kerala is the major exporter of coconuts and thus they are available in abundance.
The dishes of South Indian cuisine are not just tasty but super healthy. The best way to start your day is to eat Idli with coconut chutney and hot sambar. You can easily find South Indian dishes in your nearby restaurant.
Let's explore the health benefits of various South Indian dishes.
Why Is Idli A Healthy Option For You?
- It is made with a batter that includes fermented rice which makes it a rich source of protein and carbohydrates.
- The process of fermentation enhances the Vitamin B of the dish.
- It is an easy to digest dish as the fat gets low in the steaming process.
- It makes use of Dal and Rice and has amino acids.
Sambar
Rich in proteins
It is made up of pulses that are a very good source of protein for your body. Protein plays a very crucial role in repairing and growth of muscles.
Fibers
Along with proteins, pulses also make this dish a good source of fibers. It is made up of different vegetables that are very rich in antioxidants and fiber.
Sambar includes vegetables such as okra, brinjal, drumsticks, pumpkin, tomatoes and other different vegetables that are rich in fiber which makes it good for your heart.
Antioxidants
This dal based dish is very high in vitamins and different minerals such as folate, zinc, iron and magnesium. Along with the inclusion of vegetables and pulses, these herbs and spices take sambar to a whole new level.
Easy to digest
The presence of fiber and water makes it one of the dishes that is very easy to digest. You can enjoy the dish without any worries.
Weight Loss
As sambar is rich in protein, fibers and easy to digest which makes it a simple dish for your weight loss.
Dosa
Dosa is one of the most loved dishes in South India and the best dish to order Indian food online in Orlando. It is made from the batter of rice and lentils. Like conventional pancakes, dosas are rich in carbohydrates but also high in fat.
- They are healthy as they have comparatively less calories.
- To make dosa more healthy, you can choose to stuff it with tofu or cheese which are rich in proteins.
- Other healthy vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cabbage and other preferred green vegetables can be used for stuffing dosa.
Uttapam
Uttapam is another healthy dish as well as easy to cook. Due to the presence of oil, it is high in fat, homemade uttapam is a more ideal option for you if you are looking for a low fat dish for breakfast.
- Oats and Veg Uttapam are rich in nutrients and do not add healthy calories to your body.
- It can be easily made with the batter of dosa or with the fusion of vegetables and batter of dosa.
- One serving of plain Uttapam is lower in calories than a stuffed Uttapam. It is cooked with oil which makes it an unhealthy option but you can replace it with olive oil to cut out the fat from the dish.
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