Nirmala Sitharaman Shares Her Favourite South Indian Dishes and Why She Loves Them

Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Finance Minister of India and a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been instrumental in shaping the nation’s economic landscape since her appointment in 2019. Her responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas, including budgeting, taxation, banking reforms, and financial sector regulation. Beyond her professional role, Sitharaman has a rich personal life that includes a passion for spirituality, literature, Indian textiles, and cuisine. In a recent interview with the YouTube channel In The Mood For South, she shared insights into her interests, including her love for Indian saris and her favorite South Indian dishes.

During a rapid-fire segment of the interview, Sitharaman was asked to choose between Curd Rice and Tamarind Rice, opting for the former. She expressed a particular fondness for Pongal, a traditional South Indian dish, over the more commonly known Idli-Vada combination. Additionally, when it came to beverages, she preferred Filter Coffee over Masala Chai, highlighting her deep appreciation for South Indian culinary traditions.

Curd Rice, also known as Thayir Sadam, is a comforting dish made by mixing cooked rice with curd and a simple tempering of oil, peanuts, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and chilies. It can be enhanced with ingredients like cucumber, onion, and pomegranate seeds, making it a refreshing summer meal that promotes gut health. The basic recipe includes cooked rice, curd, salt, and a tempering mixture, which is poured over the rice and garnished before serving chilled.

Pongal, another favorite of Sitharaman, is a creamy dish made from rice and moong dal, seasoned with spices. The popular Ven Pongal variation is often enjoyed as a breakfast item in Tamil Nadu. This dish is easy to digest and is typically prepared by pressure cooking rice and dal together, followed by a flavorful tempering of spices and nuts, served hot with Sambar or Coconut Chutney.

Lastly, Sitharaman highlighted her love for South Indian Filter Coffee, a traditional beverage brewed using a metal coffee filter. The process involves slowly dripping finely ground coffee with hot water to create a rich decoction, which is then mixed with hot milk and sugar. This method not only produces a smooth drink but also allows for a frothy texture when poured back and forth between cups, making it a delightful accompaniment to snacks.