There is common saying “A Good Day Starts with a Good breakfast”. Undoubtedly, these lines are very true, particularly in India, where the day starts with a heavy breakfast and glass full of milk or a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is the first meal that we consume before carrying out daily routine life. It is a very important for energetic start of our day and also keeps us active throughout the day. A day started without having breakfast is like a morning without Sun.
In India breakfast and cuisine served is broadly divided into two types, namely North Indian and South Indian. However, apart from these two broad categories there are number of other cuisines, which are served on the breakfast table in India.
Let us discuss about the dishes which are commonly served in India. Here we start with a common North Indian and South Indian foods.
Paranthas (Aloo, Paneer, Gobi or Methi):
These are the stuffed chapaties, baked with Aloo (Potato), Paneer (Cottage Cheese), Gobi (Cauliflower) or Methi (Fenugreek). The Indian bread filled with stuffing prepared out of any of the above mentioned, although not limited to the later ones, as some also prepare Paranthas filled with Muli (Radish).
The Paranthas are normally served with curd, pickle or a vegetable curry. The preparation is very time consuming and lengthy.
Idli Sambhar:
Idli is a spongy savoury cake usually two to three inches in diameter, is prepared out of fermented black lentils and rice. The fermented semi liquid mixture is steamed in a special vessel and served with sambhar or green chutney. It is a very common breakfast in south Indian states and widely available across India in almost all the restaurants. There are number of dishes that can be prepared from Idli, such as masala idli, baked Idli and many more.
The preparation process is again very lengthy, as fermentation takes more than 24 hours before it is grinded into semi liquid form.
Upma (Suji):
Rava Upma (Suji Upma) is another popular south Indian breakfast of India. The cuisine is nutritious, tasty and easy to prepare at home. Roasted Suji (semolina) is mixed with sautéed vegetables in the boiling water along with carefully balanced added spices. The spices has to be added in calculated quantity, but these days readymade mixes are available in market to skip chances of unbalanced adding of spices.
The dish is usually consumed directly, but some also couple it with coconut chutney or green chili chutney.
Poha or Pohe (Flattened Rice):
Poha is a commonly served breakfast cuisine in India, where flattened rice is fried with green chili, coriander and potatoes. The flattened rice is soaked in the water is fried in for a maximum of 10 min and served for eating. It is generally served with chopped onions and other types of topping as per taste.
The Poha preparation is very easy and consumes minimum time as a result it is eaten in most of the Indian households.
Omelet (Egg):
In the non-vegetarian food cuisines, omelet is widely served on breakfast table in India. The chicken egg is broken and beaten till it gets frothy, then ingredients such as finely chopped onions, tomatoes along with black pepper and salt to taste. And heated well on pan with butter or oil and served with breads or buns.
Omelets are the most common breakfast cuisine not only in India but across the globe, moreover it is easy to prepare non-vegetarian food rich in protein and good for health.
Aloo Puri:
Aloo Puri is a typical Indian breakfast frequently eaten in almost every Indian household as a breakfast. Puri – is mini chapaties deep fried in oil and served with Aloo – messed or thin sliced cooked with Indian spices and salt to taste. Alike all the Indian food Aloo Puri takes lot of time in preparation, as both Aloo and Puri are cooked separately.
