5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Chettinad Cuisine
When it comes to spicy and lip-smacking cuisine, we know nothing could beat the Chettinad house. The authentic Chettinad has its unique genre and is too classic to be summarized with broad recipes. Celebrated across the globe for its brilliant exotic flavors, Chettinad cuisine is vibrant and vivid, unlike any other, with its complex culmination of well-balanced flavors.
So, what is the hype about this Chettinad Indian cuisine that scintillates the sense of people, making them addicted to it? Scroll down to unveil the secrets of the culinary journey of Chettinad!
5 Culinary-rich Facts About Chettinad Indian Cuisine
Chettinad is a tiny region in Tamil Nadu known for its culinary excellence. There is nothing simple about this cuisine. It is elaborate, extravagant, festive, delightful, and more that will make you fall in love with it instantly.
Every dish is a culinary masterpiece with unique history, and the spirited cuisine gives you an unforgettable experience. Here we bring you the drooling signature story of the Chettinad Indian Cuisine.
- Decoding The ‘Spicy’ Myth
The Chettinad notion is it is immensely hot and unbearable. Contrary to popular belief, Chettinad cuisine does not have spicy, fired, or oiled items. In fact, the cuisine crafts a perfect balance of chili and peppercorns, along with coriander seeds and other spices, leaving you with a hot effect and aiding in digestion. It means the spicy Chettinad food is entirely a misnomer.
- Keeping Up The ‘Odd rule’ Concept of Numbers
There is an odd rule of maintaining the number of dishes in a meal, and it is always ensured to be maintained. The courses will be served with the number of either five, seven, or eleven. In some special cases, 16 dishes are the only exception. Nonetheless, the concept of an odd number is not only for Chettinad house but also spread across south and southeast Asian regions.
- Making It Special With Magical Spices
The traditional Chettinad Indian cuisine is known for the usage of a variety of spices such as star anise, whole red chillies, fennel seed, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, peppercorn, cumin seeds, and fenugreek. The secret ingredients are used to prepare the ‘core’ masala to load the Chettinad cuisine with distinct aromas and flavors.
- Plated With Particular Protocol
Be it non-vegetarian or Vegetable Chettinad, they have a stern way of presenting the meal and highlighting the flavor. The dishes are served in a specific order on a banana leaf and should be consumed in the same way. Each course will have salt, pickles, chutneys, veggies, and rice, along with sambar, rasam, and curd-based gravy. Even though it appears like a lot of meals, in the end, you will have a wholesome and balanced experience.
- Inspired And Inherited With A Touch Of Asian Flavor
Chettinad has inherited a cuisine that is inspired by the Asian countries from their avid traveling ancestors. Traces of this traveling effect across Burma, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Java, and Ceylon can be seen in their cooking, from sun-drying their meat to preserving the pickles for a long period.
The Bottom Line
A good old chicken roast or vegetable gravy is almost on top of every culinary culture. However, the majestic magic gets doubled when you try a chicken or vegetable Chettinad, with a bubbling burst of flavor and aroma. Simply put, Chettinad cuisine is the only cuisine that will fill not only your stomach but also your heart!
At Sangam Chettinad, we strive to deliver authentic Chettinad Indian Cuisine in central texas, inspired by the scrumptious land as it sounds. And the best part is you do have to travel all the way to relish the dish. Yes, you can either pick up or get your favorite item delivered to your doorstep!
Now, what are you waiting for? Hit up and dine in with your family to give a mouth-watering feast to your taste buds!
