KERALA STYLE BREAKFAST MENU

by - July 20, 2022

 

PUTTU, KADALA CURRY/CHERU PAYAR CURRY, PAZHAM, PAPPADAM
KERALA STYLE BREAKFAST MENU

    When it comes to a Breakfast from down South of Indian subcontinent, rice based dishes takes the arena.  And when we speak about Kerala Style Breakfast it mostly consists of dishes like Puttu, Appam, Idiyappam, Pathiri etc.,  Looking deep into the dishes, almost all the above dishes are made with Rice or Rice Flour.  And you can see a variety of side dishes compatible with these dishes.  We can see a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries/side dishes served along.  

    If widely known are the above, then a common man's daily routine starts with a bowl of Kanji/Gruel.  Particularly Pazhankanji/Pazhayasadham( a day-old rice, soaked overnight), is a common breakfast dish.  Though a dish incorporated to ensure 'NO WASTAGE' during olden days, where there were no refrigerators - the taste and nutritious value of the dish has made it a must-have breakfast for the hard-working peasants to keep up with their daily toil. 

    While talking about the above, I indeed have to mention Tapiocas, which are also a staple in Kerala.  Steamed Tapiocas served with a condiment called Mulagu Chalichathu, or served with spicy Fish Curries(Kappayum Meenum) or Beef curries, Kappa Puzhukku, Kappa Udachuthu all come into the list of a simple Kerala Breakfast Menu.  Though Tapiocas were confined within Kerala Kitchen for a long while, it is now brought forward into the limelight by the all-time popular Kallu Kada(Toddy shops) which caters the local hooch. It has become so popular that it is now, a must-serve menu in most of the Kerala restaurants.

    So a wholesome Breakfast is what's a norm around the world and Kerala Cuisine has not failed to incorporate it in its healthy concept. This Menu is a wonderful combination of all nutrients with a perfect balance.  While pondering deep into the traditional cooking, menus have followed a strict regime with a combination of Carbohydrates, Protein, Vitamins and Minerals.  And the great Puttu served with Kadala Curry/Green Moong Bean Curry and Bananas in deep sense fits into the chart as perfectly as it is.

    This Menu is one quick combination of Kerala Style popular Tiffin Item Puttu which suits well to be catered for a Breakfast or a Dinner. Puttu is traditionally served with Kadala Curry which is made with Black Chickpeas.  Another combination is a curry prepared with Green Moong Bean.  Though, these are the Vegetarian versions of combinations predominant in a Kerala Kitchen, they do serve a variety of Curries to go along with Puttu.  And least to mention Bananas or Steamed Nendhra Pazham which goes wonderfully well when mashed and eaten with Puttu.  Last, but not the least, serve a Nadan Pappadam whatsoever the Curry or side dish you serve along with Puttu.  Puttu, Kadala Curry/Cheru Payar Curry, Pazham & Pappadam comprise a divine combination, uniquely made in God's Own Country.

PUTTU, KADALA CURRY/CHERU PAYAR CURRY, PAZHAM, PAPPADAM
KERALA STYLE BREAKFAST MENU

     The Menu in this post consists of Puttu, Kadala Curry, Cheru Payar Curry, Pazham and Pappadam.  And it is served along with a wonderful glass of Chaya(Tea) or Coffee.  A simple Kerala Style Breakfast Menu, which can easily be fixed with simple planning & preparations.

     The aroma of Puttu and Kadala Curry always takes me into a nostalgic lane filled with memories of tastes, flavours and places.  I can proudly say only a Malayalee or a Puttu lover can appreciate the real taste of Puttu.  I have heard quite a number of people saying, how to eat this Puttu, then obviously they haven't eaten this dish before or doesn't know the real knack of eating it - Eating in a Nadan Style. Ya, as such Puttu is a bit dry dish, but the meticulous method of perfecting the rice powder reflects a lot in soft textured Puttus.  But when Puttu combined with its perfect match Kadala Curry/ Green Moong Beans Curry /Bananas, it turns out to be a delicacy.  Serve a Nadan Pappadam along with the menu for a complete Kerala Style Breakfast. 

    So here goes a simple South Indian Breakfast/Dinner Platter and here it's as they display in a Kerala Restaurants. Let me list it down in that style...

PUTTU, KADALA CURRY/CHERU PAYAR CURRY, PAZHAM, PAPPADAM
KERALA STYLE BREAKFAST MENU

Cuisine - Kerala (South Indian)
Recipe Type - Breakfast/Dinner Menu
Difficulty - Medium
Author - SM


Soaking Time - Overnight/8-10 Hours
Preparation Time - 1 Hour
Cooking Time - 11/2 - 2 Hours.

 

For more TIFFIN ITEMS, Click here...

 

KERALA STYLE BREAKFAST MENU

PUTTU
PUTTU
PUTTU
CHERATTA PUTTU
CHERATTA PUTTU

      Puttu is a traditional Kerala dish made from rice flour.  A common breakfast dish served in Kerala.  The preparation of this so-called Puttu is an easy process if you readily have the Rice Flour/Puttu Flour.  I have already posted a detailed recipe on 'How to make Puttu' from scratch.  Puttu is a dish basically prepared with Rice and Coconut.  Both Sweet and Savoury variants of Puttu can be found in South India.  Traditionally, Puttu was steamed in Bamboo tubes, so it also has a name Kuzhal Puttu/Puttu Bambu.
 
Normally a Puttu Kutti, a long cylindrical tube, is used to steam cook the Puttu. When you do not have the utensil to cook Puttu, the Rice Flour and Coconut Mixture can simply be spread over a steamer plate and steam cooked.  The only issue in this method is that the Puttu would not have any shape, but any way you are always going to break and powder it before eating.  Another simple way is to cook Puttu using a Cheratta/Coconut Shell.
 
For Cheratta Puttu recipe, Click here...
 
Fresh homemade Puttu flour yields soft Puttus.  The quality of the rice plays a major role in perfectly textured Puttus.
 
For a detailed recipe on HOW TO MAKE PUTTU, Click here...

 

KADALA CURRY
VARUTHARACHA KADALA CURRY
VARUTHARACHA KADALA CURRY
KADALA CURRY WITH THENGA KOTHU
KADALA CURRY WITH THENGA KOTHU
NADAN KADALA CURRY
NADAN KADALA CURRY
VELLA KADALA KURUMA
VELLA KADALA KURUMA

     Kadala Curry or Black Chickpeas Curry can be prepared in many ways and especially when it comes to being served along with Puttu, Nadan style Kadala Curry would be the best choice.  This is an authentic Kerala style curry prepared in Coconut Oil.  Each Kerala kitchen has its own recipe when it comes to Kadala Curry, and it is catered in many variations too. I usually make Kadala Curry with Thenga Kothu, Varutharacha Kadala Curry, Nadan Kadala Curry or Kadala Kuruma for Puttu.

For CURRIES WITH CHICK PEAS, Click here...

    You can also serve non-vegetarian curries like Chicken/Mutton Kuruma, Nadan Chicken/Mutton Curry, Varutharacha Chicken/Mutton Curry, Beef Ularthiyathu, Beef Roast, Beef Vindaloo etc.,

 

CHERU PAYAR CURRY

CHERU PAYAR CURRY
CHERU PAYAR CURRY

    A curry with Green Moong Bean is yet another common curry served along with Puttu, but of course only next to Kadala Curry.  Colloquially called Cherupayar Curry is yet another nutritious and tasty curry which goes hand in hand with Green Moong Bean/Pachai Payar/Cheru Payar.  It is a quick fix recipe and the only time-consuming process is soaking the Green Moong Bean.

For Dishes with GREEN MOONG BEAN, Click here...

PAZHAM/BANANA/STEAMED BANANA
BANANA
BANANA
STEAMED BANANAS/NENDHRA PAZHAM PUZHUNGIYATHU
STEAMED BANANA/NENDHRA PAZHAM PUZHUNGIYATHU

    Mash up a Banana, mix it up with Puttu and there you go with a divine combination.  Kerala Nadan Palayam Kodan, Njali Poovan, Rastali, Moris, Kadhali or the ultimate Kerala's one and only Nendhra Pazham are all good varieties of Bananas served along with Puttu in Kerala.  Go along with your favourite variety of Pazham locally available for an ultimate experience of Nadan Style of Eating Puttu.  And yet another best side dish is Steamed Nendhra Banana.

For a detailed recipe on HOW TO STEAM BANANAS, Click here...

 

PAPPADAM
KERALA NADAN PAPPADAM
KERALA NADAN PAPPADAM

To complete this breakfast menu, serve a Kerala Nadan Pappadam along with all these dishes.

 

CHAYA(TEA)/KAPPI(COFFEE)
CHAYA/TEA
CHAYA/TEA
KAPPI/COFFEE
KAPPI/COFFEE


    Finish this Kerala favourite Breakfast Menu with a hot cup of Chaya/Tea or a Cup of Coffee for an ultimate experience. Locals prefer Kattan Chaya or the humble Black Tea to finish off this elaborate Breakfast.

For a detailed Recipe on HOW TO MAKE TEA, Click here...

PUTTU, KADALA CURRY/CHERU PAYAR CURRY, PAZHAM, PAPPADAM
KERALA STYLE BREAKFAST MENU

    Puttu, Kadala Curry or Cheru Payar Curry, Pazham & Pappadam is one combination of Dishes commonly served for Breakfast in Kerala.  And sure there are many more combos like Appam & Stew/Mutta Roast, Pathiri & Erachi Curry, Idiyappam & Stew/Mappas, Kappayum Meenum( a day old Fish Curry) etc., with a nadan touch and will publish them in future. Still there exists a few households which sticks to humble breakfast norms serving Pazhangkanji(Pazhaya Sadham) or Choodu Kanji, Payar, Chammanthi & Chutta Pappadam for Breakfast

    They do serve dishes like Idli, Dosa, Upma, Puri & Chapatis too for breakfast, but after all, these dishes comes with an influence from the neighbouring states. So if it's uniquely Kerala Nadan Bakshanam, then the local favourite is always, Puttu, Kadala Curry/Payar Curry, Pazham and Pappadam.

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