India is one of the most vibrant and colorful countries. It is said that the more colors there are in your food, the healthier it is. India is a big country, both in terms of its size and population. With 29 states and 22 official languages, the possibilities in food (especially that with heart-healthy vitamins and nutrients) are virtually endless. Here’s a round-up of 15 of the best breakfast options from all around the colorful country of India.
Pitha
Pitha is a popular delicacy from Bihar. It is a rice flour dumpling that has either a sweet or savory filling. It typically goes best with freshly made green chutney or tangy tomato chutney.
Sabudana Khichadi
Sabudana is called “sago” in English. It is a savory sago porridge that is deeply enjoyed by many across India. It is a go-to meal option when a person observes the ‘fast‘ during a Hindu festival like Diwali or Deepavali. During a Hindu fast, there are a limited number of options that one can eat, sago being one of them. Easy to make and full of gluten and starch, sabduana gives sufficient energy to anyone observing the fast.
Handvo
Handvo is a delicious and healthy Gujarati breakfast. It is a cake-like dish that is made with an assortment of whole ingredients such as bottle gourd plant (a.k.a ‘calabash‘), protein-rich lentils, and buttermilk. Most of the breakfast dishes in this state are high in nutrients, which give the required energy to go through the day.
Dhuska
Dhuska is a classic fried breakfast that can be traced back to the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is prepared from rice and lentil batter and is normally served with a simple black chickpea curry.
Pathiri
Pathiri is a type of flatbread that is popularly enjoyed in the coastal Malabar region of Kerala. It is made from crushed rice and then is baked. It can be enjoyed with a light curry or by itself.
Palak Puri
Palak Puri translates to ‘spinach fried flatbread’. It can be enjoyed with various toppings, including yogurt, which is sweeter for breakfast, pickle, ketchup, or potato curry, which are more savory options for lunch or dinner.
Misal Pav
Misal Pav is a Maharashtrian favorite breakfast or evening snack for all who are fond of all things spicy and flavourful. It includes various components such as a bun, spicy curry of moth bean, chopped onion, and spices such as chili, garam masala, and cardamom seeds. It is served with jaggery, yogurt, or masala Buttermilk to help cool the spicy taste.
Bai
Mizo cuisine is marked by simplicity. Bai is exactly that—a mixed vegetable stew cooked with pork, green chilly, baking soda, mustard leaf, brinjal (eggplant), potatoes, and cabbage.
Chuda Kadali
Chuda Kadali is nothing less than a satisfying breakfast option that is famous all over India. This dish is basically damp flattened rice mashed with sugar. If you don’t have as much of a sweet tooth, there is also a savory version of this dish called Poha which is made in all the states of India.
Chole Bhature
Chole Bhature is not only loved by my people, but is famous all over the world. Cooked with rustic spices and chickpeas along with feather light bhaturas, it is something everyone should indulge in at least once.
Pyaaz Kachori
Pyaaz Kachori is a fried delicacy prepared with a filling of onions, potatoes, and lots of spices. It is served with green chutney or tamarind chutney.
Idiyappam
Idiyappam is a culinary specialty in Sri Lanka and throughout all of India. It is made from rice and noodles, which are also called noolappam. ‘Nool’ means ‘thread’ or ‘string’ in Malayalam. It is eaten with a coconut stew called rasayana, or a fish curry.
Sarva Pindi
Sarva Pindi is cooked with at least one component of each level of the food pyramid. It is also known as thalipeeth in Marathi and is commonly eaten in the neighboring states.
Paratha
Parathas are classic breakfast staples that are prepared all over the country. They also make an appearance in many countries across the globe and are commonly seen paired with different curries. A lot of parathas are stuffed with either vegetables, cottage cheese, or cheese.
Mughlai Paratha
Mughlai paratha is a meaty wrap that is generally enjoyed as a Sunday breakfast. It is a flatbread with grilled meat and yogurt, served with potato curry. The Mughals had a strong influence in India during their rule and introduced this dish along with it.
With this, we end our journey across India and its various cuisines. I hope I have influenced you to try one of these delicious and colorful breakfasts. By following these easy recipes, you can get a taste of authentic Indian food right in your own home.