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    Home » South Indian » Masala Idli

    Masala Idli using Leftover Idlis | Video Recipe

    Published: Mar 26, 2021 by Pavani · 2 Comments

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    Are looking for an easy to use up your leftover idlis? Then you have come to the right place. Idli Seeyali aka South Indian style Masala Idli is a delicious way to jazz up those leftover idli.

    With just a few ingredients, this recipe takes just a few minutes to make. It is flavored with sambar masala, tamarind and jaggery. The end result is a scrumptious breakfast recipe that tastes spicy, tangy and sweet - all at the same time.

    White plate with Masala Idli and chutney in a small bowl

    In a South Indian household, leftover idli is a great dilemma because they are made so often. I make either idli with idli rava or jowar idli and sometimes end up with quite few leftovers.

    You can obviously make idli manchurian or idli upma with them. But the first needs deep frying and the second one is too boring. But this masala idli is an easy and flavorful way to jazz those leftover idli.

    This recipe is adapted from Mallika Badrinath's 100 Tiffin Varieties cookbook. Sambar powder and tamarind are probably the best flavor combination to elevate the taste of bland idlis.

    This masala idli is a very addictive and absolutely delicious breakfast. Do give it a try and I'm sure you'll agree with me.

    Ingredients

    The main ingredient for this dish is leftover idli. Make a few extra when you make idli for breakfast. Cool them completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Ingredients needed - details in recipe card

    Other main ingredients you need are:

    • onions
    • tamarind paste
    • sambar masala - either homemade or store-bought (I love MTR brand)
    • jaggery or sugar
    • tadka/ tempering ingredients - chana dal, urad dal, mustard seeds and cumin seeds, dry red chili
    • curry leaves & cilantro

    Video Recipe

    Instructions

    Recipe to make this Masala idli could not be simpler. Start by heating oil in a large sauté pan. Add the tempering/ tadka ingredients and when the seeds start to splutter, add the onions and cook till they start to get brown around the edges.

    Next add the tamarind paste, turmeric, sambar powder, jaggery/ sugar and salt. Mix well. Add a splash of water if the mixture looks too dry. Cook for 1~2 minutes.

    Stir in the chopped idlis and cook for 2~3 minutes. Turn off the heat and sprinkle the chopped cilantro. Serve right away.

    White plate with Idli seeyali

    Tips

    • For the best texture of this masala idli, make sure that the idli are slightly dense. Soft, fluffy fresh ones will disintegrate while cooking. Leftover idli are therefore the best to use.
    • Be gently while mixing the idli with the onion-spice mixture.
    • This dish is best served hot. If you are using leftover idli, then it is not advisable to store any leftovers.
    • You can serve with chutney but there is no need for that.

    More Leftover idli recipes

    • Instead of sambar masala, use garam masala or pav bhaji masala to give this a North Indian flavor. Skip tamarind and add some lemon juice instead.
    • Add chopped veggies like carrot, green beans, green peas or frozen mixed vegetables.
    • Instead of using idli cubes, mash them up into a coarse powder and make idli upma.
    • To make idli manchurian, follow this gobhi manchurian recipe but substitute cauliflower with leftover idlis.

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    White Plate with Masala Idli

    Masala Idli | Idli Seeyali

    Idli Seeyali is an absolutely delicious dish and is a great way to jazz up those leftover idlis. This dish is tangy, spicy and sweet - all at the same time.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
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    Prep Time: 20 mins
    Cook Time: 15 mins
    Total Time: 35 mins
    Course: Breakfast, brunch, Snack
    Cuisine: south indian
    Servings: 2 Servings

    Ingredients

    • 10 Idlis
    • 1 tablespoon Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Chana dal (split yellow peas)
    • 1 teaspoon Urad dal
    • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
    • 1~2 Dry Red chilies
    • 8~10 Curry leaves
    • 1 Large Onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 teaspoons Thick Tamarind paste
    • 1 teaspoon Sambar Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Jaggery or Regular sugar
    • To taste Salt
    • 3~4 tablespoons Water, if needed
    • 2 tablespoons Cilantro, finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Chop Idli into bite size pieces. Set aside in a plate.
    • Heat oil in a medium size saute pan on medium heat. Add the chana & urad dal, mustard & cumin seeds, dry red chilis. Cook for about 1 minute or until the seeds start to splutter and the lentils are golden brown.
    • Add the curry leaves and cook for 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook till they start to get brown around the edges, about 3~5 minutes.
    • Next add the tamarind paste, turmeric, sambar powder, jaggery/ sugar and salt. Mix well. Add the water if the mixture looks too dry. Cook for 1~2 minutes.
    • Stir in the chopped idlis and cook for 2~3 minutes. Turn off the heat and sprinkle the chopped cilantro. Serve right away.

    Video

    Notes

    • For the best texture of this masala idli, make sure that the idli are slightly dense. Soft, fluffy fresh ones will disintegrate while cooking. Leftover idli are therefore the best to use.
    • Be gently while mixing the idli with the onion-spice mixture.
    • This dish is best served hot. If you are using leftover idli, then it is not advisable to store any leftovers.
    • You can serve with chutney but there is no need for that.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 237IU | Vitamin C: 110mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chef Mireille

      January 15, 2017 at 7:03 pm

      what a great snack - looks so good

      Reply
    2. Sujas Kitchen

      February 20, 2017 at 3:50 pm

      Yummy looking idli Seeyali, Pavani. A nice change from the routine.

      Reply

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