Your perfect South Indian thali ?

Namaste Friends,

A very happy New Year to you all !

I would be curious to hear what dishes compose, in your eyes, the perfect South Indian thali.

I'm not asking what should be in there. I'm asking what you, personally, would prefer to see on your plate.

We're talking Veg, of course.

Please go into as much detail as you like : chutneys, soups, cakes / curd...

And should you have recipes for your fav thali dishes, I'd love to hear them.

Thank you, and Bon Appétit !

Khandoma, Theres nothing like South Indian Thali. There's Kerala, Tamilnad, Andhra, Karnataka, Udupi and Uttar Karnatak food, each distinct from the other.
Let me put down one of my favorites of the above lot - a Kerala Sadya (the Udupi one comes a close second)
Okay here goes - Sweet Ginger, Mango, Lime Pickles, Kichadi (Cucumber and curd), Kootukari (Yam and ChickPeas), Olan (Ash gourd and a type of brown bean seed), Thoran (String beans), Aviyal (mix of veg), Rice (Boiled), Dal (Moong), Sambar, Payasam (Palada & Banana), Kalan (Sour curry made with curd), Rasam and a bit of flavored buttermilk (Whey) to round it off!

And oh - an afternoon nap after this almost mandatory

Yum ! Thanks Dipydoo, that sounds extremely appetizing ! And, in my eye, original too - as in, not something I'd get in a European restaurant. Brilliant.

I need to look up a few things - not sure what Palada and Rasam are, but that's what google is for.

As for "South Indian", you're right of course ; both my brain and, more importantly, my stomach are aware of the differences. I opted for a general name because my interests are broad.

If you can be bothered five more minutes and give me an idea of what you'd like in your Udupi thali, I would be delighted.

Many thanks, and very merry holidays !

I have a related question, to Dipydoo and anyone waltzing through this thread.

What BREAD would you prefer with your Kerala Thali ?
Please state make & model : plain, veg, etc.

Thanks much !

No bread in a S. Indian thali! Will come back on the Udupi thali...

When I've had Andhra thalis they usually come with a couple of small pooris. And 8-10 curries that I can't name. My favourite is a sweet potato one. And I like avali. Took me a bit to figure out how to eat the drumsticks.

You guys make me hungry !!!!

The best thing I found on a thali was Chammanthi (dry chutni)with dry prawns. And it was still a vegitarian Thali.

A BIG vegetarian steak fresh from the cow!of course!

Dipydoo : no bread ? Darn. Thanks for the reminder, forgot all about that demarcation line between bread & rice. I got confused because I had puri (11 of them, I counted !) in a self-appointed "South Indian" thali, but definitely not Keralese.
One more question to you please. In your Kerala Sadya you mention three "pickles". Are they all pickles or are some chutneys ?

Hal2004, thanks for your precisions. Found several sweet potato recipes, will try.
I'm glad you had puri with your thali, I was feeling alone and heretic there.
Like you I like sweet potatoes - and drumsticks too, made an inconvenience of myself ogling my neighbours until I figured you have to go at it like a vanilla pod, but with your bare teeth.

Sanjai, I've looked up Chammanthi, looks delicious, thanks.

Martinez, you're in deep trouble, my friend

Thank you all, and keep'em coming !