THALI. What is it?

The word thali comes from the word for the circular plate meals are served on. A thali is usually served at mid-day, and refers to a meal that contains all six tastes. A thali can change depending on the region of India it is served in, varying in accompaniments and degree of spice.

A thali will usually contain a folded chapatti (whole wheat flatbread), perhaps a papad, a crispy-fried, disc-shaped tortilla made of lentil flour, and a pile of basmati rice in the middle of the plate. This base is then surrounded by any number of small metal cups holding dal, cooked vegetable dishes, freshly made yogurt or buttermilk, perhaps a sweet such as rice pudding, and a spoonful of pickle right on the plate.

Everyday ayurveda Cooking for a Calm, Clear Mind has all the recipes you see in this pohoto and how to assemble them, with homemade lemon pickle, into a thali meal!

Having a few friends over and making an authentic thali together is an excellent way to enjoy Ayurvedic cooking!