Dinnertime is special. This is when we finally get to unwind after a hectic day to enjoy a wholesome meal with family or friends. If your idea of a good meal is making that extra effort to dig out interesting recipes and stir up a lip-smacking meal, then trying different cuisines must be welcomed too. How about traditional South Indian recipes to lift everyone’s spirit? South Indian cuisine is a favourite across the country, with little eateries in various corners serving pillowy soft idlis, crisp ghee dosas, tangy sambar, spicy rasam, lemon rice, puliyogare and the like. Something about the taste of each of these dishes that you crave for it every once in a while. And if you can’t really find an eatery in your neighbourhood to suit your taste buds, you can always dish them out at the comfort of your own kitchen.

Cooking South Indian food can be quick and easy if you pick the right dishes. Not all need laborious efforts with enormous varieties of spices and ingredients. Some home-style dishes can be prepared with just a handful of ingredients. But if you want to put in that little effort to create traditional dishes, we present our 10 best South Indian dinner recipes to help you get started. From Malabar Fish Biryani and Chettinad Chicken to Avial and Okra Pulusu, you can go all out and try popular dishes from the different South Indian regions. Satisfaction guaranteed!

 

1. Malabar Fish Biryani
Recipe by Chef Abida Rasheed

 

This classic Malabar Fish Biryani is a dinnertime treat. Enjoy the delicious taste of this ever-charming dish made with aromatic spices and seer fish.

biryani

2. Puliyodharai
Recipe by Chef Devi, Restaurant Analaxmi

 

A spicy and lip-smacking dish where steamed rice is tossed with a tangy tamarind based pullikacchal masala along with crunchy peanuts.

puliyogare 625

3. Bendakaya Pulusu
Recipe by Kishore D Reddy

 

Okra in tamarind gravy or Bendakaya pulusu is a popular dish in Andhra Pradesh. Okra is fried in mustard seeds and soaked in a rich tamarind sauce that makes it sour and tangy.

625 okra

4. Korri Gassi
Recipe by Chef Mallikarjun,Taj Manjarun, Karnataka

 

A delectable chicken curry with the flavours of coconut, coconut milk and tamarind.

chicken curry

5. Avial with Kerala Red Rice
Recipe Chef Joey Mathew

 

Avial is a traditional South Indian dish from Kerala. A thick mixture of vegetables like drumsticks, potatoes and carrots are cooked in coconut oil and mustard seeds. Serve it with red rice.

avial

6. Gongura Mamsam
Recipe by Chef Srinivas Rao

 

Venture into the heart of Andhra Pradesh to unearth a cuisine which is reputed to be the spiciest of all! Chef Srinivas Rao shares his recipe of a spicy Andhra mutton curry.

mutton curry

7. Mangalorean Prawn Curry
Recipe by Chef Aditya Bal

 

Prawns cooked in coconut oil and dunked in a spicy tamarind gravy, Mangalorean style.

prawn curry 625

8. Kerala Mutton Stew
Recipe by Chef Andy Verma

 

Succulent chunks of mutton simmered in delicate southern flavors of coconut milk, curry leaves, cinnamon etc.

mutton stew

9. Bisi Bele Bhaat
Recipe by Chef Ashwini Sridharan

 

Bisi Bele Bhaat is a traditional dish from Karnataka made with rice, lentils, vegetables and coconut. It is similar to a khichdi.

bisi bele bath

10. Chicken Chettinad
Recipe by Chef Kishore D Reddy

 

This is one of the best chicken recipes you may have tried yet. Bring some magic to your plate with chicken cooked in some peppery authentic Chettinad paste laced with coconut and onions.

chettinad 625