Jun 26, 2024
BY: Nibedita RoySouth Indian cuisine offers a delightful array of light and refreshing dinner options that are perfect for hot summer evenings. These meals are not only easy to prepare but also incorporate fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors typical of South India. Here are nine light South Indian dinner ideas that are ideal for summers:
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Vegetable Upma is made with semolina and mixed vegetables like carrots, peas, and beans. Seasoned with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and garnished with cashews and coriander leaves. Light and satisfying.
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Cucumber Pachadi is yet another summer delight, which can be made with the goodness of cucumber and yogurt. This hearty and soothing dish is a perfect mélange of yogurt, cucumber, coconut, and seasoned with mustard seeds, green chilies, and curry leaves.
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This delicious South Indian delicacy is made with fermented rice and lentil batter mixed with veggies like onion, carrot, green chilies, and beetroot to name a few. This simple dish can be paired with Sambhar and coconut chutney to make it for a wholesome meal.
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Avial is a healthy and filling traditional mixed vegetable dish, which hails from Kerala. This dish is made with mixed vegetables cooked in a coconut and yogurt-based gravy. Its light, creamy thick gravy is paired with steamed rice or Adai, Appam to name a few.
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Sambhar is one of the most healthy South Indian delights made with a mélange of veggies, spices, herbs and tangy tamarind paste. To make Sambhar a wholesome dinner just paired with rava dosa or idli or rice, this hearty mix of fiber, healthy protein and healthy carbs makes for a hearty summer meal.
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Rasam is a tangy and spicy South Indian soup made with tamarind juice, tomatoes, and flavored with homemade rasam powder. It's light, aids digestion, and can be enjoyed as a standalone soup or with rice to make a wholesome delight.
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Curry Leave Rice also known as Karuveppilai Sadam is a delightful rice dish made with the goodness of curry leaves, mustard seeds, and urad dal. Serve with a side of yogurt or raita and papad.
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Curd rice traditionally known as Thayir Sadam, which makes for a delicious summer meal. This is because of its healing and cooling properties. This dish is made by mixing cooked rice with fresh curd, veggies and a nice spicy tempering made with spices and herbs, which makes it perfect for hot summer nights.
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Lemon Rice traditionally known as Elumichai Sadam is a delicious, aromatic and tangy rice dish, which makes for a hearty and light meal.This rice dish is made with lemon juice, turmeric, and seasoned with mustard seeds, peanuts, curry leaves, lemon zest and a mélange of spices.
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