Masala idli is an easy and tasty snack/ appetizer, which is made with left over idlis. You can make this recipe with regular idlis or mini idlis. I generally use left over idlis from the previous day. This is a spicy recipe; you can reduce the spice by reducing the amount of chilli powder and pav bhaji masala. Again, there are many ways to prepare this snack. I am sharing a recipe tried and tested by me.
Always serve masala idlis hot. While serving you can sprinkle some lemon juice to enhance the taste. Masala idlis taste best when paired with a cup of piping hot tea.
Ingredients
- 5-6 regular medium sized Idlis
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup Tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 green Chilli, chopped
- ½ tsp. ginger-garlic paste
- 1 pinch Turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp. Red chilli powder
- ½ tsp. Pav bhaji masala
- ¼ tsp. Mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp. Oil
- ¼ cup Water (optional)
- 1-2 tbsp. Coriander leaves, chopped
Method
- Chop the idlis and keep aside. Make bite sized pieces and do not chop finely.
- Finely chop the onion and tomato. Keep aside.
- Also chop green chilli and keep aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them crackle.
- Next add ginger-garlic paste. Sauté till the raw aroma of ginger-garlic paste goes away.
- Then add finely chopped onion. Stir well and sauté till the onions turn translucent.
- Next add finely chopped tomatoes. Mix well and then add chopped green chilli.
- Sauté till the tomatoes soften.
- Then add a pinch of turmeric powder, red chilli powder and pav bhaji masala. Also add salt as per taste.
- Mix the spices very well with the onion-tomato mixture.
- Add 1/4 cup water. Use idlis which have been refrigerated. If using fresh idlis then don’t add any water.
- Mix well and simmer the gravy on a low to medium flame.
- Simmer till the gravy thickens, which takes about 2 minutes on a low flame.
- Add the chopped idlis. Mix the idlis very well. The idlis will absorb the gravy and become moist and soft.
- Switch off the flame and lastly add chopped coriander leaves. Mix well.
- Serve masala idli hot. You can sprinkle lemon juice if you want.