At the start of the year when I intended to explore different food from different states of India, I didn't realize that it will take time and effort. Life got busy with family and work. But, never less I am back.
Today I will highlight food from Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh is a south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state. It is the birthplace of the most famous diamond Kohinoor. It was once a major Buddhist pilgrimage site, and was part of ancient empires like Mauryas, Satavahana, Chaulakya, Reddi Kingdom, Vijaynagara, and is also influenced by Delhi Sultanat and Bahmani Kingdoms. The official language is Telugu and Kuchhipudi is their cultural dance.
For a North Indian like me, Andhra Pradesh is about savory, spicy, and tangy food. For its different rice preparations, sambhar, and a whole complex pellet of flavors makes its food stand apart. Out of all South Indian cuisine, Telugu food is my favorite. Or, I may say I am blessed with friends from that state who are also exemplary cooks.
I decided to go all-in and did an Andhra Pradesh thali. An Indian traditional thali refers to a big platter of food intended for one with the serving of many different dishes served in small bowls, along with rice, the traditional bread of that state, papad, and pickle. The food I cooked comes from the Andhrite region of the state famous for eating rice as a staple food. Pappu, tomato, gongura, and tamarind are some of the things used to make food sour and tangy.
All Indians have been introduced to a different plethora of pickles growing up in India and similarly, I thought I knew a lot about pickles, until I came to the US and was introduced to many different varieties of Telugu cuisine pickles in the Indian store, and I was awestruck by different combinations and flavors. Starting from breakfast food of idli and dosa to its rich lunch and dinners, needless to say, I am a super fan.
The thali I cooked had:
1. Chicken Korma: It was cooked by Mann and was influenced by https://www.vahrehvah.com/chicken-korma.
I didn't eat it, but I am sure it was good :)
2. Tomato Rasam: It's a tangy broth made of tomato and tamarind. It is very nutritious and is a good food to have when sick. The inspiration was https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/tomato-charu-recipe-tomato-rasam-recipe-andhra-style/. The taste was spot on and every sip of this rasam was heaven. I will definitely make it again
3. Gutti vankaya: Mini eggplant in spicy peanut gravy. It was inspired by this website https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/gutti-vankaya-kura-recipe/. The recipe asked for desiccated coconut and that was a little off-putting for me. The flavors were great, but I normally cook this dish with fresh coconut and in my opinion, the fresh coconut makes a difference.
4. Palakura Vepudu: It's a dry spinach fry dish with onions and curry leaves. Inspired by https://www.sailusfood.com/palakura-vepudu-spinach-stir-fry-2/. We loved it!
5. Tomato Daal: Toor daal (pigeon peas) broth cooked along with Tomatoes. Inspired by https://vegcookbook.net/2018/04/05/tomato-dal-lentil-stew-tomato-pappu/. This daal is my comfort food and can eat it anytime with steamed rice.
6. Zucchini Pachadi: This is a chutney made with sauteed zucchini and tamarind. It's a tangy condiment to enhance the flavors. Inspired by https://www.myspicykitchen.net/zucchini-pachadi/
7. Poori: Whole wheat flour poori. It's a fried bread made with unleavened dough.
8. Daal papad
9. Steamed Rice: I have used basmati rice but traditionally Sona masuri rice is eaten.
10. And, last the dessert rava sheera: The recipe came from hebbar's kitchen. The one I made was not lacking in taste but definitely needed finer sooji and more ghee. Sheera or halwa is cooked with a roasted base in sugar water and ghee.
We loveeed the thali and definitely would do it again.