South Indian Classics: Idli, Sambar & More - Vol 1

A hands-on South Indian cooking class: soft, steamed and utterly comforting.

Ever wondered how Indian households turn a simple batter of rice and lentils into a whole spread of different dishes? This class is your answer.

Join Anu for a relaxed, hands-on workshop exploring the nourishing flavours of South Indian home cooking. No deep frying, just soft textures, warming spices and the kind of food that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

You'll learn to work with ready-to-use fermented rice and lentil batter, one of the great shortcuts of South Indian cooking, and discover how the same base can become fluffy steamed cakes, flavour-packed little bites, and pan-cooked rounds. Alongside, you'll make a spiced lentil and vegetable dal and a fresh chutney to bring it all together.

If you've tried dosa and loved it but haven't explored what else South Indian cooking has to offer, this is the class to start with. Idli, appe and dosa all come from the same fermented batter. Learn how it works here, and you'll get so much more out of the dosa workshop when it comes.

What We will Cook

Idli (Steamed Rice and Lentil Cakes) Soft, fluffy steamed cakes made from ready-to-use fermented batter. The backbone of South Indian breakfasts and one of the most nutritious dishes in Indian cooking.

My Version of Sambar: a Spiced Lentil and Vegetable Dal Not your traditional sambar. Warmly spiced, slightly tangy, and loaded with seasonal vegetables kept fresh and slightly crunchy. Served alongside the idli, this is South Indian comfort food at its best.

Mini Idlis with Podi Chutney Soft, flavour-packed bites tossed in sesame oil (or olive oil), mustard seeds, curry leaves and podi chutney, a dry South Indian spice blend. Proof that the same batter can taste like a completely different dish.

Appe: Savoury Lentil Bites Golden, crispy savoury bites, soft and fluffy on the inside. A favourite across South India and a fun dish to make together.

Mint, Coriander and Coconut Chutney A fresh, vibrant chutney that ties the whole spread together. Made from scratch with simple ingredients you can find at any supermarket.

What to Expect

• A hands-on cooking experience preparing a range of delicious dishes together
• A sit-down meal to enjoy everything we cook on the day
• Recipes, tips, and printed handouts to help you recreate the flavours at home
• A sweet treat to finish
• A glass of bubbles
• Recipe handouts to take home

Who Is This Class For?

Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, or simply curious about South Indian food, this workshop is designed to be approachable and enjoyable for all levels. No prior cooking experience required.

All dishes in this class are naturally vegan and gluten free.

What to Bring

Just yourself. All ingredients and equipment are provided. You're welcome to bring a container if you'd like to take home any leftovers.