🍚 Rice Dishes

(Vegetarian)

Simple, soothing, and nourishing

❤️ Introduction


Rice has always been at the heart of South Indian cooking.
Sometimes it is simple enough for an ordinary weekday lunch;
other times it becomes fragrant, colorful, and celebratory for festivals and family gatherings.

From comforting lemon rice and coconut rice to vegetable pulaos,

tomato rice, tamarind rice, curd rice, and gently spiced one-pot meals,

each recipe carries the warmth of home while making the most of everyday ingredients.

This collection brings together vegetarian rice dishes inspired by both

my Mangalorean heritage and the Tamil kitchen where I grew up—

recipes that celebrate seasonal vegetables, fragrant spices,

and the quiet joy of gathering around the table.

Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a lunchbox favorite,

or a satisfying meal to share with family,

I hope these rice dishes become dependable recipes

you'll return to throughout the year.

Simple enough for everyday cooking, yet special enough to

create lasting memories around your own table.

A pot of rice has a remarkable way of bringing everyone to the table


Rice Dishes

(Vegetarian)

Photo by Stirred By Spice


🍋 Lemon Rice

Elumichai Sadham

A bright, comforting South Indian

lemon rice made with pantry spices

and fresh lemon.

🌰 Tamarind Rice

Puliyodarai

A temple-style South Indian

tamarind rice with roasted

spices and sesame oil.

🥣 Curd Rice

Thayir Sadham

A classic South Indian

curd rice that cools, comforts,

and completes a meal.

🍛 Sambar Rice

Sambar Sadham

A soulful South Indian

one-pot rice that nourishes

deeply and effortlessly.

🥥 Coconut Rice

Thengai Sadham

Soft rice folded with

fresh coconut and gentle tempering —

quiet South Indian comfort.

🍅 Tomato Rice

Thakkali Sadham

Tangy tomatoes, warm spices,

and soft rice —

a South Indian weekday classic.

🌿 Coriander Rice

Kothamalli Sadham

A fresh South Indian

coriander rice that brings

garden flavors to everyday meals.

🍆 Vangi Bath

Brinjal Rice

A spice-rich Karnataka rice dish

where brinjal meets

patience and depth.

🍚 Green Peas

Pulao

A fragrant one-pot rice that celebrates

seasonal peas and the quiet comfort

of everyday cooking.

🫑🔴🟡 🍚 Bell-Pepper Rice

(Capsicum Rice)

A gently spiced variety rice where

color, comfort, and everyday

nourishment meet.

🍚 Jeera Rice

(Cumin Rice)

Fragrant cumin rice —

light, comforting, and

effortlessly elegant.

🥣 Ven Pongal

(Buttery Comfort)

Creamy rice and dal tempered with ghee,

pepper, and cumin — the warm, soothing

heart of South Indian tiffin.

🥕🥥🍛 Vegetable Biryani

(Udupi / Karnataka Style)

A gentle Karnataka biryani — coconut, yogurt, vegetables, and fragrant rice cooked

into comforting harmony.

🍚 Ghee Rice

( Basmati Rice,Ghee & Spices)

Fragrant basmati rice infused with ghee & whole spices—a timeless South Indian favorite that pairs beautifully with curries and kurmas.

🍄🔥 Mushroom Biryani

(Tamil–Kongu Style)

A bold Tamil-style biryani — earthy mushrooms, peppery masala, and fragrant rice

cooked in perfect harmony.


🌿 Browse All Recipe Collections

Looking for something different?

Explore all my recipe collections and discover South Indian favorites—
from comforting breakfasts and fragrant rice dishes
to curries, seafood, sweets, and more.



💛 Meet the Heart Behind the Spice

Maya Shetty, South Indian food writer and creator of Stirred By Spice

Hi, I'm Maya. Welcome to my kitchen.

There's warmth in every story stirred into these recipes.

A Pediatric Dentist by profession and storyteller by soul,

I bring the rhythms of South Indian cooking

into my American kitchen—

a blend of tradition, curiosity, and heart.

Whether you're here for a comforting breakfast,

a festive feast, or a family favorite, I hope these recipes

help you slow down, cook with confidence,

and create memories around your own table.

Thank you for letting me be a small part of your kitchen.

🌿 Cook with joy.

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