Chettinad

Chettinad food is the mélange of dishes prepared in the Chettinad region. This region is located in the Tamilnadu, a South Indian state. ‘Chettiar’ is the main South Indian community that makes this cuisine immensely popular all over the world. Chettinad recipes are said to be the spiciest of all South Indian recipes. The aroma and the presentation are also quite palatable.

Chettinad food is basically consisting of non-vegetarian dishes that are prepared with an assortment of ingredients mainly hot and pungent spices. There are strong mercantile relations between chettinad and Burma that enables chettinar community to learn some special recipes from the Burmese cuisine.

Traditional Chettinad Recipes

• Appams – This is one of the most popular chettinad dishes that are not only popular in South Indian community, but also popular in different cultures. It is like bread or pancake made with rice flour on a griddle.

• Dosa/adai –This is a typical South Indian dish served either as in breakfast or in dinner. It is made up of rice or lentil flour. The main accompaniments with dosa are coconut chutney or sambar.

• Rice pudding – This is the dish that is adapted from the Burmese cuisine. It is traditionally prepared with sticky red rice.

• Paniyaram –It is a traditionally prepared dish in Chettinad food that is made with the batter of pulses and rice. The batter is steamed in moulds. Both the sweet and spicy versions of this comfort dish are popular as the food on the go.

Chettinad Food and the Main Ingredients

Chettinad recipes are popular for their aromatic and pungent flavors. The cuisine consists of some of the popular South Indian delicacies. The main ingredients used in Chettinad food are rice and pulses. The sun-dried meats and salt-cured vegetables are quite popular in this cuisine due to the dry weather of the region. Fresh ground masalas are used to enhance the taste of the dishes. Boiled egg is the main element of the meal. Among the meats, chicken, lamb and seafood is quite popular among the Chettinars. They don’t consume beef and pork due to cultural reasons.

Spices play an important role in chettinad food. Some of the main components are ‘marathi morulu’, that is a dried flower pod used to perk up the flavor. Tamarind, cinnamon, cumin, fennel seeds, peppercorns and whole red chilies are widely used to make aromatic curries and other dishes in Chettinad cuisine. Star aniseed and black stone flower also known as ‘dagad phool’ are used to make some gourmet chettinad recipes.

Health Benefits of Chettinad Recipes

Chettinad food mainly includes home made ingredients that are quite healthful. Rice, pulses, fresh ground spices, meats and egg are all full of vitamins, proteins and minerals. Special ingredients like star anise and dagad phool are also known for curing certain ailments. Hence, chettinad food is collectively known for its taste as well as health.