some South Indian recipes perfect for bachelors that are easy to make, need minimal ingredients, and can last from 2 days to even a week if stored well (in fridge). Theyβre ideal for meal prep and quick fixes.
Table of Contents
Toggleπ₯ 1. Sambar (Lasts 3β4 Days in Fridge)
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Base Ingredients: Toor dal, tamarind, sambar powder, vegetables (carrot, drumstick, onion).
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Tips: Store in airtight containers. Reheat with a little water and fresh coriander before serving.
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Pairs with: Rice, idli, dosa.
π 2. Tomato Thokku (Lasts 7+ Days)
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Base Ingredients: Tomatoes, mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chilli powder, oil.
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How to Use: Mix with hot rice, chapati, or spread on dosa.
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Pro Tip: Store in a glass jar with a layer of oil on top.
π 3. Lemon Rice Mix / Puliyogare Mix (Lasts 1 Week+)
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Base: Tamarind, jaggery, sesame, mustard, and spice mix.
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Use: Just mix with cooked rice.
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Bonus: You can also use store-bought mixes like MTR for quick use.
π 4. Dry Curry (Poriyal) β Beans, Carrot, Cabbage (Lasts 2β3 Days)
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Base Ingredients: Chopped veg, mustard, urad dal, curry leaves, grated coconut.
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Tip: Avoid adding water or coconut if storing longer.
π₯ 5. Curd Pachadi / Raita (Lasts 2 Days Max)
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Best for: Cooling side dish with rice or chapati.
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Veg options: Cucumber, onion, beetroot, okra (fried).
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Tip: Keep in fridge and consume within 48 hours.
π 6. Keerai Masiyal (Spinach Mash β 2β3 Days)
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Base: Any keerai (spinach), garlic, salt, green chili.
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Pairs with: Rice and ghee.
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Tip: Avoid adding coconut for better shelf life.
πΆοΈ 7. Garlic or Curry Leaf Chutney (Lasts 5β6 Days)
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Base Ingredients: Garlic/curry leaves, red chilies, tamarind.
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Use: As a spread or side with dosa, idli, chapati, or curd rice.
π² 8. Rasam (Lasts 2 Days)
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Base: Tamarind, tomatoes, rasam powder, garlic.
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Pair with: Rice or even drink it as soup.
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Tip: Tastes better the next day.
π‘ Storage Tips:
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Cool dishes fully before refrigerating.
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Use glass or stainless steel containers for storing chutneys/pickles.
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Reheat only the portion you need to avoid spoilage.
What food can I cook that will last a week?
32 Meals To Make On Sunday To Feed Your Family All Week LongΒ source
Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice ( 7 hours cooking or until beans are tender).
South Indian-friendlyΒ cook once and eat for a week,
cook once and eat for a week, especially as a bachelor, hereβs a list of South Indian-friendly, bachelor-proof dishes that will stay good for 5β7 days in the fridge (some even outside if properly stored):
β Best Foods That Last 1 Week (Fridge-friendly)
π 1. Tomato Thokku
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Stays good for 7β10 days.
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Use as a rice mix, dosa side, or chapati spread.
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High oil content helps preserve it longer.
π₯₯ 2. Tamarind Rice Mix (Puliyogare Mix)
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Make the base mix and just add to rice when needed.
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Lasts easily 7+ days.
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Can also be made in bulk and frozen in cubes.
πΏ 3. Curry Leaf / Garlic / Mint Chutney (Dry Chutneys)
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No coconut = longer shelf life (5β7 days).
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Use as side dish or mix with hot rice.
π 4. Sambar (Thick version)
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Lasts 3β4 days, and more if frozen.
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Use different vegetables to avoid boredom.
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You can also freeze in individual portions.
π² 5. Rasam Concentrate / Rasam
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Rasam itself lasts 2 days, but the concentrate (thick version) can be stored for 5β7 days.
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Mix with hot water and temper fresh.
π 6. Khichdi / Pongal (No coconut, mild spices)
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Good for 3β4 days.
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Add ghee and pepper freshly before serving for flavor boost.
πΆοΈ 7. Dry Sabzis (Beans Poriyal / Potato Fry / Beetroot)
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No coconut = 3β5 days.
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Avoid adding water while cooking. Add grated coconut only while reheating if needed.
π 8. Egg Podimas / Egg Curry (if non-veg OK)
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Lasts 3β4 days in fridge.
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Egg podimas is great for mixing with rice or stuffing in chapatis.
π₯¬ 9. Keerai Masiyal / Palak Dal
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Lasts 2β3 days.
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Avoid adding coconut or milk for longer storage.
π 10. Paruppu Usili (made with dal and veg like beans or banana flower)
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High-protein and lasts 3β4 days refrigerated.
π‘ Tips to Make Food Last Longer:
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Cool before storing: Donβt put hot food in the fridge.
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No wet spoons: Especially for chutneys and pickles.
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Separate portions: Store in small containers to avoid repeated heating.
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Avoid coconut/milk in long-lasting dishes: They spoil faster.
Want a Weekly Meal Plan?
I can suggest a minimal-effort meal plan using these dishes, like:
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Day 1β2: Sambar + rice + dry poriyal
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Day 3β4: Rasam + tomato thokku rice
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Day 5β6: Tamarind rice + egg podimas
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Day 7: Pongal + mint chutney
North Indian dishes you can cook that will last a week (with refrigeration) β perfect for bachelors, meal preppers, or anyone who wants to minimize daily cooking.
π North Indian Dishes That Last Up to a Week
1. Rajma / Chole (Kidney Beans / Chickpeas Curry)
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Fridge life: 5β6 days
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Freezer life: 2+ weeks
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Best with: Rice, roti, jeera rice
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Tips: Cook without cream if storing long; add fresh coriander when serving.
2. Bhuna Masala Base (Tomato-Onion-Ginger-Garlic Gravy)
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Fridge life: 7 days
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Use for: Quick aloo curry, paneer masala, egg curry, etc.
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Prep once, cook variations later!
3. Aloo Gobi / Aloo Matar (Dry)
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Fridge life: 4β5 days
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Best with: Roti, paratha
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Tip: Make it dry for better shelf life. Avoid tomatoes or add when serving.
4. Mixed Veg Sabzi (Dry or Semi-Dry)
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Veg: Beans, carrots, peas, potato, capsicum
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Fridge life: 5β6 days
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Pro Tip: Dry sabzis last longer than gravies.
5. Palak Paneer (Without Cream)
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Fridge life: 4β5 days
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Tip: Add cream or butter only during reheating. You can swap paneer for boiled eggs too.
6. Dal Tadka / Dal Fry
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Fridge life: 4β5 days
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Best with: Rice or roti
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Tip: Use moong or toor dal for easy digestion. Add tempering fresh when serving if you like.
7. Thepla / Methi Paratha
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Fridge life: 6β7 days (if made without curd)
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Best with: Pickle, curd, chutney
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Pro Tip: Great for tiffin or quick meals.
8. Achari Baingan / Baingan Bharta
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Fridge life: 4β5 days
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Avoid water: Dry sabzis last longer.
9. Besan Chilla (Batter lasts 3β4 days)
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Batter: Besan, ajwain, spices, onion (optional)
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Just pour and fry fresh when needed.
10. Homemade Pickles & Chutneys
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Examples: Mango pickle, green chutney (2β3 days), tamarind chutney (1 week+)
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Use as: Flavors to elevate your meals.
Optional: If You Eat Eggs or Meat
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Egg Curry / Boiled Eggs β 5 days (in shell or curry form)
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Chicken Curry / Keema β 4β5 days refrigerated, longer if frozen
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Tip: Use minimal dairy for longer life.
π₯ Pro Meal Prep Tip:
Cook 2β3 gravies (dal, rajma, bhuna masala), 2β3 dry sabzis, 1 paratha dough, and rice on day one. Mix and match all week.
weekly twice cooking curries rice every day options for bachelor
Daily Meal Ideas North indian
Day | Curry Option | Add-ons |
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Sunday | Rajma + rice | Pickle / curd |
Monday | Aloo Gobi + rice | Curd or green chutney |
Tuesday | Rajma + thepla/paratha | Curd or salad |
Wednesday | Mixed plate: Rajma + sabzi | Rice or chapati |
Thursday | Palak Paneer + rice | Papad |
Friday | Mix Veg + rice or roti | Curd / pickle |
Saturday | Leftover curry + jeera rice | Fry papad / salad |
π½οΈ Weekly South Indian Meal Plan (Curries 2x/Week, Fresh Rice Daily)
π Cook Twice a Week: Sunday & Wednesday
π§βπ³ Sunday Cooking (Enough for MonβWed)
β 1. Sambar
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Base: Toor dal, veggies, tamarind, sambar powder
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Lasts: 3β4 days in fridge
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Pair With: Rice, idli, dosa
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Tip: Rotate veggiesβuse radish one week, drumstick or ash gourd the next.
β 2. Beans or Cabbage Poriyal
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Dry veg sabzi with coconut (optional)
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Lasts: 3 days
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Use With: Rice + sambar or rasam
β 3. Tomato Thokku / Spicy Chutney
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Great backup with curd rice or lemon rice
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Lasts: 1 week+
π Monday to Wednesday Meals
Day | Rice Type | Pairings |
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Monday | Plain Rice | Sambar + Beans Poriyal |
Tuesday | Lemon Rice | Tomato Thokku + Curd |
Wednesday | Curd Rice | Tomato Thokku or Pickle + Fryums |
π§βπ³ Wednesday Cooking (For ThuβSun)
β 1. Rasam (Garlic / Pepper / Tomato)
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Lasts: 2β3 days
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Use With: Hot rice + ghee
β 2. Avarakkai / Carrot Poriyal
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Dry curry, no coconut for longer shelf life
β 3. Keerai Masiyal or Kootu (Optional)
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Mild and nutritious
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Good to add mid-week if you’re bored of rasam
π Thursday to Sunday Meals
Day | Rice Type | Pairings |
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Thursday | Plain Rice | Rasam + Poriyal |
Friday | Tomato Rice | Curd / Chips / Tomato Thokku |
Saturday | Curd Rice | Thokku / Pickle + Fryums |
Sunday | Special: Coconut Rice / Veg Pulao | Leftover Poriyal + Papad |
π Other Add-ons (Prep Weekly or Buy Ready-Made)
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Pickles β Mango, lemon, or gongura
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Fryums / Vadams β Just roast or fry in seconds
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Podi (Gunpowder) β With ghee or sesame oil
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Instant Upma Rava β Emergency backup
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Boiled Eggs / Omelet β Quick protein fix
weekly plan that includes chicken,mutton, fish, eggs and dals, vegetables
a complete South Indian Weekly Meal Plan tailored for a bachelor who:
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Cooks twice a week (Sunday & Wednesday)
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Makes fresh rice daily
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Wants variety: chicken, mutton, fish, eggs, dals, and vegetables
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Wants food that lasts 2β4 days
This plan gives you balanced nutrition, minimal effort, and no boredom. Ready? Letβs go!
π½οΈ Bachelorβs Weekly South Indian Meal Plan (Non-Veg + Veg)
π³ Cooking Days: Sunday & Wednesday
π§βπ³ Sunday Cooking (Lasts till Wednesday)
π 1. Chicken Curry (Andhra style / Chettinad)
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Lasts: 3 days in fridge
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Use With: Rice, dosa, chapati
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Tip: Avoid adding coconut if storing longer
π² 2. Dal (Toor or Moong) with Tomato / Drumstick
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Mild, easy on stomach
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Lasts: 3β4 days
π₯ 3. Dry Veg Curry β Beans / Carrot / Cabbage Poriyal
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Dry veg = longer shelf life
π₯ 4. Boiled Eggs (5β6)
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Eat one daily, or make egg masala on demand
π§βπ³ Wednesday Cooking (Lasts till Sunday)
π 1. Fish Fry or Fish Curry (Tamarind-based like Meen Kuzhambu)
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Fish Fry: Lasts 2β3 days, reheat on tava
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Fish Curry: Lasts 3β4 days; tastes better next day!
π 2. Mutton Kurma / Mutton Pepper Masala
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Heavier meal β best for Thursday/Friday
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Lasts: 3β4 days refrigerated
π₯¬ 3. Keerai Poriyal / Kootu
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Spinach or amaranth leaves
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Optional coconut
π Daily Meal Plan (Fresh Rice + Stored Curry)
Day | Main Dish | Sides / Extras |
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Mon | Rice + Chicken Curry | Beans Poriyal + Boiled Egg |
Tue | Rice + Dal | Chicken (leftover) + Fryums |
Wed | Lemon Rice | Dal + Thokku / Pickle |
Thu | Rice + Mutton Curry | Keerai Poriyal |
Fri | Tomato Rice + Fish Fry | Boiled Egg / Curd |
Sat | Rice + Fish Curry | Keerai + Fryums |
Sun | Special: Chicken Biryani / Egg Curry | Onion Raita + Chips |
π Weekly Grocery Checklist (Basic)
π Non-Veg:
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Chicken β 500g
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Mutton β 500g
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Fish β 500g
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Eggs β 6β8
π₯¦ Vegetables:
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Tomato, Onion, Drumstick, Carrot, Beans, Cabbage
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Keerai (Palak or Arai)
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Green Chilies, Ginger, Garlic, Curry Leaves, Coriander
π Staples:
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Toor dal / Moong dal
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Tamarind, Mustard, Cumin, Hing, Dry red chili
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Coconut (optional)
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Cooking oil (gingelly + refined)