MASALA IDLI: SPICY SOUTH INDIAN RICE CAKES

SOUTH INDIAN STYLE

Preparation Time: 15-20 Minutes (If you already have ready Idlis)
You Need: (To Serve 4 People)
Ingredients	Quantity	A Quick Comment
Idli (South Indian Rice Cakes)	20 medium sized	Cut Idlis into small pieces. (I have Cut each Idli into 4 pieces)
Finely Chopped Onions	2 medium sized
Finely Chopped Tomatoes	2 medium sized
Ginger Paste/Finely Grated Ginger (Optional)	1 tbsp
Finely Chopped Green Chilies	2-3
Lime Juice	1 ½ tbsp
Salt	To taste
Spice Powders:
Turmeric Powder	1 tsp	In Hindi - Haldi (हल्दी ) In Kannada - Arisina (ಅರಿಸಿನ)
Red Chili Powder (Optional)	½ tsp	In Hindi - Mirch Powder (मिर्च  पाउडर) In Kannada - Menasina Pudi (ಮೆಣಸಿನ ಪುಡಿ) As you will be using Green Chilies, use Red chili powder only if you like your Masala Idli more hot and spicy.
Cumin Powder (Optional)	1 tsp	In Hindi - Jeera Powder (जीरा  पाउडर) In Kannada - Jeerige Pudi (ಜೀರಿಗೆ ಪುಡಿ)
Chutney Powder	5 tbsp
For Seasoning:
Oil	1 tbsp
Mustard Seeds	1 ½ tsp	In Hindi - Rai (राइ) In Kannada - Sasive (ಸಾಸಿವೆ)
Cumin Seeds	1 ½ tsp	In Hindi - Jeera (जीरा ) In Kannada - Jeerige(ಜೀರಿಗೆ)
Peanuts/Groundnuts	A Fistful	In Hindi - Moongphali (मूंगफली) In Kannada - Kadale Beeja (ಕಡಲೆ ಬೀಜ)
Split Black Gram	1 tbsp	In Hindi - Urad Dal (उड़द दाल) In Kannada - Udiina Bele (ಉದ್ದಿನ ಬೇಳೆ)
Split Bengal Gram	1 ½ tbsp	In Hindi - Chana Dal (चना दाल) In Kannada - Kadale Bele (ಕಡಲೇ ಬೇಳೆ)
Red Chilies (Optional)	2-3	In Hindi - Lal Mirch (लाल मिर्च) In Kannada - Kempu Menasu (ಕೆಂಪು ಮೆಣಸು)
Curry Leaves	1 stick	In Hindi - Kadi Patta (कड़ी पत्ता) In Kannada - Kari Bevu (ಕರಿ ಬೇವು)
Asafoetida	½ tsp	In Hindi - Hing (हींग) In Kannada - Ingu (ಇಂಗು)
To Garnish:
Chopped Cilantro/Coriander Leaves	½ cup	In Hindi - Dhaniya (धनिया) In Kannada - Kottambari Soppu (ಕೊತ್ತಂಬರಿ ಸೊಪ್ಪು)

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan. Add Mustard seeds, Cumin Seeds, Peanuts, Split black gram, Split gram one by one. Saute for few seconds till peanuts and grams turn slight golden brown.
• Add Red chilies, Curry leaves and Asafoetida one by one. Saute for 2-3 seconds.

• Add finely chopped Onions, finely chopped green chilies, finely grated ginger and little salt. Mix well. Saute for a minute till the Onions turn tender.
• Add finely chopped Tomatoes, Turmeric powder, Red chili powder and Cumin powder. Mix well and saute for 2-3 minutes till Tomatoes turn soft.

• Lower the flame. Add Idli pieces, Chutney powder and salt. Mix well and heat for 2 minutes on a low flame.
• Switch off the gas/stove. Add Lime Juice and give a gentle mix. Garnish with chopped Cilantro. Serve hot with Sweet chutney/Ketchup.