Skipped Breakfast? Try These 9 South Indian Brunch Ideas

A brunch is a combined breakfast and lunch meal that is usually had in the late morning or early afternoon. It offers a varied and enjoyable meal experience, showcasing the combination of breakfast and lunch.

There are a variety of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes from South India to serve as brunch. Just like dosa, vada, mutton pepper fry and a lot more. So, here is a list of brunch ideas that one can serve when too lazy to cook breakfast:

1. Vegetable Rava Upma: 

The delectable and cosy flavour of South Indian meal vegetable rava upma is well-known. It is a delicious combination of textures and flavours because it is made of semolina (rava), veggies, and spices. Semolina is roasted, veggies are sautéed, and then they are cooked with water until they become tender and fluffy. Adding veggies to a dish not only improves its nutritional content but also gives it a refreshing crunch and brilliant colours. It's a great alternative for a tasty and substantial brunch because of its satisfyingly light texture.

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2. Egg Dosa: 

A tasty and filling South Indian dish, egg dosa mixes the richness of eggs with the goodness of dosa. A delightful marriage of textures and flavours is created when the dosa batter is spread thinly over a hot griddle and then an egg is broken and smeared over top. After that, the dosa is cooked until golden brown and crispy. A popular breakfast choice, egg dosa is packed with protein and makes a full and delicious meal when paired with spicy sambar or coconut chutney.

3. Idli Sambar: 

A traditional South Indian meal, idli sambar is renowned for its flavorful and nourishing ingredients. Sambar is a zesty, aromatic dish composed of lentils, veggies, and spices, whereas idlis are soft, steamed rice cakes made from fermented rice and lentil batter. A pleasant and filling dish ideal for brunch is made from fluffy idlis steeped in a substantial and flavorful sambar. It is healthy, light, and satisfying, with a burst of South Indian flavours that will satisfy a variety of palates.

4. Uttapam: 

A flat fermented rice and lentil batter mixed pancake is often called uttapam in the southern Indian region. The fermentation of the better gives it the soft and fluffy texture and the slight tangy and sour taste. The use of ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, and green chilies is enlisted to induce flavour in the uttapam. Add to the charm are the dark and smoky flavours that are infused as it sits on the griddle until its edges get crispy and brownish gold. The colour of uttapam, which is quite filling and nutritious, makes it a perfect choice for brunch, eaten with sambar or other chutneys to make it very filling as well as satisfying.

5. Vada: 

Popular in South India, vada is a snack with a crispy outside and a soft, fluffy inside. The vada is deep-fried until golden brown and crispy using a batter made of urad dal (black gramme) and spices. It tastes savoury and slightly spicy, with undertones of curry leaves, black pepper, and cumin. Due to its adaptability, vada is a great option for brunch. It goes well with sambar, chutneys, and other traditional South Indian breakfast dishes, making for a filling and tasty meal.

6. Chicken Stew with Appam: 

A delicious South Indian dish that is well-known for its rich and creamy flavour is chicken stew with appam. Tender chicken is cooked in a savoury gravy made with coconut milk and flavoured with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Appam, a light and fluffy rice pancake that is ideal for mopping up the flavorful stew, is frequently served with it. With a hint of sweetness from the coconut milk, this combination of savoury flavours makes for a delightful and cosy brunch alternative.

7. Masala Paniyaram: 

A distinct Karnataka variety of South India, known by the name of masala paniyaram, stands for its unique taste and texture. The rice and lentil batter has been fermented and then spices like mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilli are blended together. The shape of it comes from a specific pan that has cavities. The outside is crispy, whereas the middle part is softer and fluffier in texture. It has a taste and texture and goes perfectly well with sambar or while garnishing with coconut chutney, which gives it the idea of a complete meal and makes it sure to please your taste buds.

8. Pongal: 

Pongal has a blend of comforting flavours and is a traditional South Indian dish. It is a preparation when white rice is cooked together with ghee and medium spices; cashew nuts or cumin seeds are often added for flavour. Pongal is a multisided dish with a breakfast, brunch, and even dinner choice, so that one can enjoy a healthy and delightful meal without the struggles of drafting it. Simple, yet truly distinctive are its ingredients, which make it so flavourful.

9. Mutton Pepper Fry: 

The spicy and fragrant flavour of mutton pepper fry is well-known in South Indian cuisine. The mutton pieces are cooked till tender and covered in a thick, peppery gravy after being marinated in a mixture of spices, including black pepper, cumin, coriander, and curry leaves. This dish is ideal for brunch since it tastes great with dosa or steamed rice. It's a filling and substantial meal option that delectably blends the flavours of breakfast and lunch.