South Indian cuisine is one of the most famous cuisines in India. Irrespective of regional taste preferences, people indulge in sumptuous South Indian meals once in a while. South Indian meals is filling and satiating in taste and quantity, owing to the primary dish of steamed rice. Even steamed broken wheat, or millets like quinoa or couscous can also be had along with the rest of the recipes to follow.

Steamed cereal is mixed with a gravy dish that is usually cooked with lentils, vegetables and or green leafy vegetables, and had along with a side dishes like poriyal, rasam, buttermilk or yogurt, appalam & pickle. Poriyal is made with vegetables or pulses and is dominated with the addition of grated fresh coconut in most cases. The meal is incomplete without a rasam, which is a very thin spiced watery preparation that tingles the taste buds. Rasam is made with various main ingredients like tomato, pineapple, amla, orange, pomegranate, etc. Here are the 10 mindfully matched combinations of poriyal, sambar (saaru) and rasam. We have considered the wholesome nutrition and effort of preparation besides taste and chaste of the recipe. Prepare them at home and have a complete South Indian meal with your choice of appalam & pickle.

Combo 1 - Kobbari chaaru, Vendakkai Poriyal, Lemon Thyme Rasam 

Kobbari chaaru is an authentic sambar/rasam that is made in Telangana region using coconut milk and roasted chana dal, which is silky smooth in texture. The Vendakkai Poriyal Recipe is a very traditional Okra crunchy stir fry with no onion and no garlic. To end the meals, Lemon Thyme Rasam Recipe is a wonderful twist to one of the most regular side dish of South India, rasam. Serve these along with some Phulka and Rice to make a comforting meal.

Combo 2 - Nuggekai Kharbyaali, Muttaikose Poriyal, Paruppu Urundai Rasam

North Karnataka Spiced Drumstick Sambar also known as Nuggekai Kharbyaali is a traditional  sambar curry made with a special spice powder - Kharbyaali Masala Khara Spice Powder. The Muttaikose (Cabbage) Poriyal Recipe is a simple dry vegetable made from cabbage. To end the meals, Paruppu Urundai Rasam (Lentil Dumpling Soup) is loaded with protein with a mix of toor & chana dal. Serve these along with some Phulka and Rice to make a comforting meal.

Combo 3 - Manjal Poosanikai Sambar, Pavakkai Poriyal, Orange Rasam

The Manjal Poosanikai (Pumpkin) Sambar recipe is a simple nutrition packed sambar made with yellow pumpkin. Pavakkai Poriyal (Karela Ki Sabzi) recipe is a simple delicious sweet and sour preparation of this super healthy vegetable Bitter gourd. Orange Rasam Recipe is with a unique twist of adding orange juice to the regular rasam. This rasam has a refreshing fruity flavour to please your taste buds. Serve these along with some Phulka and Rice to make a comforting meal.

Combo 4 - Murungakkai Vendhaya Keerai Sambar, Spicy Potato Roast , Milagu Rasam

Murungakkai Vendhaya Keerai Sambar Recipe (Drumstick and Fenugreek Greens Sambar), has a healthy mix of greens and vegetable to make it a complete meal. The Spicy Potato Roast Recipe (Urulaikizhangu Poriyal) is a delicious recipe made from potatoes roasted with simple spices. Milagu Rasam is a healthy soup made of garlic, pepper and cumin seeds. Serve these along with some Phulka and Rice to make a comforting meal.

Combo 5 -Varutharachu Sambar, Sweet Corn Poriyal, Tharvani Charu

Varutharachu Sambar is a delicious Kerala Style Sambar Recipe that is made from roasted coconut homemade sambar powder that adds to the authenticity and flavor of the sambar. Sweet Corn Poriyal Recipe is an interesting poriyal recipe using sweet corn kernels. Tharvani Charu is a rasam made of fermented gruel and is rich in proteins and vitamins. Serve these along with some Phulka and Rice to make a comforting meal.

Combo 6 - Arachuvitta Sambar, Chettinad Cauliflower Poriyal, Wheatgrass rasam

Arachuvitta Sambar Recipe is a traditional South Indian Sambar that is made from freshly roasted and ground with sambar spices that adds a special touch to this recipe. The Chettinad Beans & Cauliflower Poriyal Recipe is a healthy stir fry with a subtle blend of south indian condiments. End your meal with Wheatgrass juice combined with tamarind and cooked with tomatoes, rasam powder and finally tempered with spices gives this healthy wheatgrass rasam.

Combo 7 - Chow Chow Sambar, Kothavarangai Poriyal, Channa Rasam

Chow Chow Sambar, is one of the healthy Chayote Squash sambar usually had along with the steamed rice. Kothavarangai Poriyal Recipe is mildly spiced dish of cluster beans, cooked with a simple tempering and grated coconut, and is a comfort dish. Give a protein check in Channa Rasam which is a lip smacking rasam which is made with the goodness of channa water (water obtained in the process of boiling chickpeas).

Combo 8 - Thatta Payaru Sambar, Broccoli and Potato Poriyal, Vazhaithandu Rasam

Thatta Payaru Sambar is an authentic vegetarian curry in which proteinaceous beans are cooked along with spices in a creamy dal base. The Broccoli and Potato Poriyal is a simple, yet wholesome recipe made by stir frying the broccoli and potato separately and tossed it with the basic set of condiments. The Vazhaithandu Lemon Rasam Recipe also known as the Plantain Stem Lemon Rasam Plantain stem is a high fiber content vegetable, hence we generally include it in South Indian diet in various forms.

Combo 9 - Obbattu Saaru, Carrot and Beans Thoran, Elaneer rasam

Karnataka Style Obbattu Saaru Recipe is popularly known as Holige Saaru in Karnataka. It is a kind of Rasam which is made from the left out filling of obbattu. Carrot and Beans Thoran (Subzi Recipe) is an apt dry side dish with it prepared without gravy and garlic. As a coolant, make elaneer rasam with Tender Coconut water and pulp combined with tomato & tamarind are cooked with rasam.

Combo 10 - Andhra Style Pappu Charu, Beetroot Poriyal, Betel Leaves Rasam

Andhra Style Pappu Charu Recipe is an aromatic and spicy Lentil Soup like side from Andhra Pradesh. For sides, make Beetroot Poriyal Recipe also known as Beetroot Curry is a delicious and healthy preparation of the beetroot vegetable. Tulasi, Betel leaves, Pepper, Carom seeds & Jeera are combined and cooked with regular rasam powder to prepare Tulasi And Betel Leaves Rasam Recipe. The rasam is good for cold and cough and can be consumed as a soup also.