4 Popular South Indian Rice Dishes That You Need To Try
Rice is one of the major staple food of the Southern part of India and as such there are many South Indian food items that have rice as their main ingredient. Although there are several dishes that include rice in them, all of them equally unique and have their own interesting taste and flavor going on. Some of these dishes are so popular that have gained a culinary ardor all across the nation and even globally.
When looking for the best Indian food in New York, you can start with some delectable South Indian rice dishes. South Indian food has globally made a mark and for good reasons. If you truly wish to experience the exquisiteness of South Indian food then you definitely have to try the following rice dishes at least once.
Biryani
This dish needs no introduction and is immensely popular globally. Biryani is one of the most favored Indian food items and rightly so. This rice dish is an amalgamation of various exotic flavors, rice, and meat, and its subtle aroma and intricate textures and layers make it a culinary wonder. Biryani originated in the Indian state of Hyderabad and is believed to have its roots in the Royal Nizam kitchens.
Traditionally, Basmati Rice is used to cook Biryani, and Chicken, Goat, or Lamb are the choices of meat. The dish is slow-cooked in a deep bottomed vessel, which is sealed with dough. There are two types of Biryani based on cooking styles - Pakki Biryani and Kacchi Biryani. In Kacchi Biryani all the ingredients are cooked together in one vessel while in the case of Pakki Biryani, the meat and the rice are cooked separately and mixed together at the time of serving. Visit a good Indian restaurant to try the best Biryani in Brooklyn NY.
Lemon Rice
This is yet another popular rice dish originating in the Southern region of India. Simple yet savory, this dish is perfect when you want to try something light yet flavorsome. The preparation of Lemon Rice is quite simple as well. Turmeric, curry leaves, sesame seeds, and lentils are used to temper the rice, and the juice of one or two freshly sliced lemon is squeezed from the top, bringing out the tanginess in the rice. This rice dish can be served both hot or cold and either way, it tastes great.
Pilyogare
This is one of the most popular South Indian rice dishes that is enjoyed in all regions of Southern India, although it varies in taste from state to state. Whether it is Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, or Tamil Nadu, each state has its unique way of preparing the dish such that the flavors and textures keep on varying. Often served on festive occasions, Puliyogare is essentially Tamarind rice, where rice and tamarind is the main ingredient, and combined with other exotic spices and generous servings of Sesame oil, it gets a rich and savory flavor. This spicy and tangy dish can be a refreshing new taste that you are looking for. This Indian dish is one of the best Indian food in New York that you can try.
Coconut Rice
Coconut rice or Thengai Sadam is another popular rice dish that has a distinct nutty flavor to it. If you do not want to try something spicy, then this mildly flavored rice is a good option for you. In this dish, the rice is sauteed with an equal amount of desiccated coconut. Cashews, nuts, and other mild spices are also added to the rice to bring out the subtle and sublime flavor in the rice. Coconut rice is quite common in South India during the festive seasons and it tastes best with ‘Avial’ or spicy gravy. For those who do not wish to try a complex flavor but still want to enjoy some South Indian food, this rice dish is the best option for them. Coconut combined with rice simply screams South India.
