Do you often wake up hungry and unsure what to eat for breakfast? Skip the usual cereal and try a traditional Indian breakfast instead. In Indian homes, breakfast is a key part of the day, and it’s as delicious and diverse as the rest of Indian cuisine. Each region in India has its breakfast specialties, and the preferred morning drink is chai, though coffee has also become popular recently.
Indian cuisine offers a wide range of tasty breakfast options. Here are our top ten recommendations to start your day right:
1. Idli and Sambar
Idli and sambar are classic South Indian breakfast staples. Idlis are steamed rice cakes made from a fermented mixture of rice and lentils. The batter is poured into circular molds and steamed, resulting in light, fluffy, and flavorful rice cakes that can be enjoyed independently. Idlis are often served with vegetable sambar.
Sambar is a spicy lentil-based vegetable stew made with lentils, various vegetables like tomatoes, okra, shallots, radishes, drumsticks, tamarind paste, herbs, and sambar powder. This spicy and tangy stew pairs well with dosas, rice, and, of course, idlis.
2. Dosa
Dosa is a popular South Indian breakfast item known for its giant, crispy texture. Made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, this thin, lacey crepe is often filled with a spicy potato mash that includes potatoes, spices, onions, and curry leaves. Dosa is typically served with vegetable sambar and coconut chutney, making it a delicious and satisfying breakfast.
3. Paratha
Paratha is a crispy, flaky flatbread that is golden brown. This square-shaped unleavened bread is made with whole wheat flour, salt, water, and ghee. The dough is divided into medium-sized balls, rolled out, layered with ghee, and shallow-fried on each side.
Stuffed parathas come in tasty variations like aloo (potato), mooli (radish), gobi (cauliflower), and cheese. If you’re short on time, try our instant no-knead paratha recipe. Parathas are typically served with achar (pickle) and yogurt, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.
4. Methi Thepla
Methi thepla is freshly prepared daily at Patel’s Fresh Kitchen inside the store. Made with methi leaves (fenugreek leaves), a mix of wheat flour and gram flour, and a variety of spices and herbs, thepla is a flavorful flatbread. It’s commonly served with yogurt, chutney, or pickle (achar) and is a popular choice for breakfast.
5. Batata Poha
Batata Poha, or flattened potato rice, is a popular and quick Gujarati snack and breakfast item. It’s made with flattened rice, spices, onions, and potatoes. Poha is light yet very flavorful and delicious.
6. Upma
Upma is a savory, nutrient-rich dish with a porridge-like consistency. The preparation begins with roasting oats separately and mixing them with vegetables, dried lentils, curry leaves, spices, and cashews. Upma can also be made with coarse semolina or quinoa.
7. Rava Uttapam
Rava Uttapam is the Indian version of savory pancakes. The batter has semolina, yogurt, grated vegetables, and spices. Ghee is added to a large frying pan on medium heat, followed by the uttapam batter. It is cooked until golden brown on both sides.
You can easily personalize Rava Uttapam by adding your favorite veggies. It is served with coconut chutney and is soft, fluffy, spongy, and delicious.
8. Khaman Dhokla
Dhokla is a savory, soft, and fluffy steamed cake made from chickpea flour. It can be enjoyed as a breakfast or snack and is prepared using gram flour, semolina, and various spices. After steaming the batter, it’s tempered with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, hing, curry leaves, green peppers, and cilantro.
Dhokla is typically served with mint chutney and tamarind chutney, which add extra flavor to this tasty treat. It is also a popular dish during religious events, celebrations, and festivals.
9. Masala Omelet
Masala Omelet is a flavorful twist on the classic omelet. Packed with onions, cilantro, green peppers, tomatoes, and spices, it brings a spicy, vibrant taste. The omelet retains the natural creaminess of the eggs, with crispy edges and a burst of flavor from the spices.
Enjoy Masala Omelet best with buttered toast or a crispy paratha.
10. Chole Bhature
Chole Bhature is a classic North Indian breakfast dish that’s always a hit. It has two main parts:
Chole: A spicy chickpea curry made with chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and a mix of cumin, coriander, red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala. It’s topped with chopped onions, green chilies, and lemon wedges for extra flavor.
Bhature: Also known as puri, these are round, deep-fried breads made from a dough of flour, yogurt, salt, and baking powder. Bhature puffs up while frying, becoming crispy on the outside and airy inside.
Chole Bhature is a delicious and indulgent meal that’s perfect for breakfast. Indian breakfast offers many options that can be made quickly and are worth waking up for.
Conclusion
Indian breakfasts are a wonderful blend of flavors, textures, and traditions. From the fluffy idlis and savory dosas to the rich chole bhature, these dishes showcase the diversity and richness of Indian cuisine. Each breakfast option offers a unique taste experience, making it a delightful start to the day. Whether you enjoy something light and healthy or indulgent and hearty, Indian breakfasts have something for everyone. Trying these dishes is about eating and experiencing a part of India’s vibrant food culture.
FAQs
Q1: What is an Indian breakfast?
Ans: Indian breakfast consists of various dishes that reflect India’s rich culinary traditions. It includes light and hearty options, such as idlis, dosas, and parathas, often paired with chutneys, sambar, or yogurt.
Q2: Are Indian breakfast dishes spicy?
Ans: Not all Indian breakfast dishes are spicy. While some, like masala dosa or chole bhature, may have spices, others, like idli or upma, are mild. Spiciness can vary based on personal taste and regional recipes.
Q3: What is idli, and how is it made?
Ans: Idli is a steamed rice cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. The batter is poured into circular molds and steamed until fluffy. It is often served with sambar (vegetable stew) and coconut chutney.
Q4: What are dosas?
Ans: Dosas are thin, crispy crepes made from fermented rice and lentil batter. They can be plain or filled with spicy potato mash and are commonly served with sambar and chutneys.
Q5: What is paratha?
Ans: A paratha is an unleavened flatbread made from whole wheat flour. It can be plain or stuffed with various fillings, such as potatoes, radishes, or cauliflower. Parathas are typically served with yogurt or pickle.
Q6: What is the difference between poha and upma?
Ans: Poha is made from flattened rice cooked with spices, onions, and potatoes. Upma, on the other hand, is a savory porridge made from roasted semolina (rava) mixed with vegetables, lentils, and spices.
Q7: Can you explain what methi thepla is?
Ans: Methi thepla is a type of flatbread made with fenugreek leaves (methi) and a blend of flours and spices. It’s often enjoyed with yogurt, chutney, or pickle.
Q8: What is dhokla, and how is it prepared?
Ans: Dhokla is a soft and fluffy steamed chickpea flour cake. It is made with gram flour and spices, then steamed and tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and other spices.
Q9: What is a masala omelet?
Ans: A masala omelet is a spicy version of a traditional omelet, loaded with onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and spices. It is often enjoyed with buttered toast or paratha.
Q10: Where can I try these Indian breakfast dishes?
Ans: You can try these dishes at Indian restaurants, especially those specializing in South or North Indian cuisine. Many dishes are also easy to make at home with readily available ingredients.
