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Sarojini and Rao's
South Indian
Cooking Lessons
Ingredients
This is the first of a series of 5 or 6 lessons on South Indian vegetarian meal ideas. The recepes we are going to post are mostly from the cuisine of Andhra Pradesh , a state in the southern parts of India. The South Indian vegetarian food doesnot contain spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamom etc. you find in North Indian dishes, However, the Andhra Pradesh food is hot because of red and green chillies used in all the preparations. A few items are made tangy by adding tamarind.

A WORD OF CAUTION HERE. CHILLIES, BLACK PEPPER, GINGER AND TAMARIND MAY MAKE THE FOOD VERY TASTY. BUT ADD THEM IN QUANTITIES THAT SUIT YOUR TASTE AND TOLERANCE LEVEL. EXCESSIVE USE OF THESE INGREDIENTS MAY UPSET THE STOMACH.

There is an old popular song in Telugu, the language spoken in Andhra Pradesh. It says " I specially made stuffed gutti vankayi kura ( tender egg plant curry ). I made this curry using my entire love for you as the stuffing.Anything cooked with love and care will have a great taste.

In this lesson, we are giving a list of ingredients needed. These are available in Indian stores. Some of them may be available in some oriental stores. We have not given the list of vegetables here. They will be given with each lesson.

  • Toor dal 2 lb
  • Moong dal 2lb
  • Urad dal 2 lb
  • Chena dal 2 lb
  • Whole Moong 2 lb
  • Tamarind i lb
  • Dry red chillies 1\4 lb
  • Jagary 1\2 lb
  • Mustard seeds 1\2 lb
  • Methi ( Fenugreek ) seeds 1\2 lb
  • Dhaniya ( Coriander ) seeds 1\2 lb
  • Black pepper 1\4 lb
  • Cooking oil ( Sun flower oil ) Available in any stores selling groceries
  • Hing ( Asafoetida ) smallest packet available
  • Cream of wheat 1 lb Available in any grocery store
  • Long grain rice 5 lb Available in any grocery store
  • Butter ( Unsalted )
    The quantities suggested are approximate and would suffice all the recipes we are going to give in all the lessons that will be posted every week. Some Foodwiners suggested that we post these lessons on Thursdays instead of Fridays. So from next week, our postings will be on Thursdays.
    Sarojini and Rao

    Posted by: Ashok Erramilli

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