Trying a Traditional Tamil Thali

Introduction:

Each state of India has different food. I went to a restaurant in Chennai called Paati Veedu (Grandma's House), which serves traditional food from Tamil Nadu, India (the state of India that Chennai is in). I got to try out a thali, which is a large round plate that includes steamed rice and various side dishes.

What food did I try?:

The thali included steamed rice in the center, potato stir fry (uralai poriyal), carrot and coconut stir fry (carrot poriyal), spinach and lentil curry (keerai), chayote squash curry (chow chow kozhambu), spicy tamarind curry with sundried vegetables (vathakozhambu), spiced lentil-based vegetable stew (sambar) and tomato and tamarind soup (rasam). There was also a little bit of coconut chutney (a spicy, chunky sauce made from coconut) and a mor molagai (chili sundried in curd) on the side.

How did I feel when I tried it?:

My favorite dishes were the vathakozhambu, the carrot poriyal, the rasam and the keerai. I also really liked the mor molagai, and I was surprised that it was not too spicy for me. 

How is the food prepared?:

The rice is boiled in water then strained, similar to how pasta is cooked.

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