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The Tamil Nadu cuisine is rich in a variety of hearty and comforting dishes that are a perfect balance of taste with nutrients. Speaking particularly about the dinner options, there's a lot more than dosa, Chettinad chicken curry and rasam. The Brahmin community of the state offers a delicious vegetarian dish called paruppu usili that is perfect to enjoy with rice for a wholesome dinner. This dry and flavourful side dish is loaded with lentils and seasonal vegetables and can be commonly seen at Iyengar community weddings. For a complete meal sambar and ghee are also served with the dish. Here are six Tamil-style usili to enjoy at home with rice for a vegetarian dinner.
Also Read: Kerala-Style Chicken Mappas With Idiyappam For A Hearty Weekend Dinner
Paruppu Usili
The term pruppu usili literally translates to 'lentil crumble' and is loved across Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states for its nutritious content. Loaded with protein, this side dish features soaked and crumbled lentils along with chillies and spices, all mixed with steamed vegetables. Paruppu usili is goes well with vatha kuzhambu or mor kuzhambu.
Beans Usili
This is another beloved form of usili, you must try. Whether using green beans or cluster beans, this variation is popular for its mild flavour and nutritional content. Beans usili is a perfect side dish with sambar-rice or curd-rice, offering a wholesome, protein-rich addition to these traditional South Indian meals.
Cabbage Usili
For a slightly sweeter option, cabbage usili is a great choice. The softness of the cooked cabbage combines perfectly with the roasted lentils, creating a dinner dish that is hearty and flavourful. When paired with rasam-rice for a nighttime meal, cabbage usili can become a crowd pleaser. It is also light on stomach, making the dish perfect for digestion.
Methi Usili
Mostly enjoyed during the colder season, methi usili features fenugreek leaves as the primary ingredient. This variation adds slight bitterness and is flavoured with rich spices and lentils. Methi usili pairs well with tomato rice or lemon rice for a hearty South Indian dinner.
Vazhapoo Usili
For something more unique, try vazhapoo usili, which is made with banana flowers. This usili is often underappreciated despite its incredible flavour and nutritional value. Preparing banana flowers can be time-consuming, as they require thorough cleaning and chopping, but the end result is surely going to make you ask for more. This dish has a distinctive side that pairs well with traditional dal-rice or even curd rice.
Mullangi Usili
Mullangi usili is another great option for the colder season. It incorporates both radish and its greens for a crunchy and refreshing dish. Radish has a slightly sharp flavour that perfectly balances with lentils. Mullangi usili can be enjoyed with tamarind rice, or with curd-rice for dinner.