idli upma ( இட்லி உப்புமா)

Idli Upma ( இட்லி உப்புமா )

Ingredients: ( 2 servings)

Idli  ( இட்லி  )  - 8 or 9 

Small Onion ( சின்ன வெஙாயம் )  -  a handful / 8 to 10

Green Chili ( பச்சை மிளகாய் ) - 2

Curry leaves( கறிவேப்பிலை )  - a twig

Mustard seeds( கடுகு )  - 1 tsp

Split Urad dal ( உடைத்த உளுந்தம்பருப்பு ) - 1 tsp

Channa Dal ( கடலை பருப்பு) - 1 tsp

Asafoetida ( பெருங்காயம் ) - a pinch

Sesame Oil ( நல்லெண்ணெய் )  - 3 tsp

Steps:

Let the boiled idli cool down in a bowl

Using your fingertips make a fine crumble.

In a wok or a pan, heat oil. 

Add mustard seeds, as it cracks add channa dal and urad dal. Fry for a few seconds. 

Add split green chili and asafoetida , followed by finely chopped onions and curry leaves.

When the onions are soft and transparent, toss in the idli crumble and mix well. 

Switch off the flame and serve hot. 

                                              
Another favourite version of idli upma is mixing idli podi to the crumble and tempering is done.
It is a simple preparation but tasty with the unique flavour of the idli podi.  Onions are not used in this type.

                                                         

My Notes:
My whole family including me love  idli upma for breakfast or dinner. It is not only a make up meal with the left over idlis but mostly made on request to boil extra idlis to make idli upma that night or the next day for breakfast. 😉
By refrigerating idlis, the task to crumble is in a jiffy. Otherwise it may stick to your fingers for which you may have to grease your fingers with sesame oil.

Other common ingredients, used for other upmas, like finely chopped ginger, carrots, beans etc..can also be used. Grated coconut can also be tossed in. Turmeric powder is preferred by some.

My friend adds a beaten egg to the idli crumble before tossing in, for the extra protein component for her child. Grated cheese is another option to lure a kid to eat idli. Not to forget the recently popular fried idlis/ Manchurian idlis. This dish is the basic yet tasty version of all the idli modifications.

Options are many. Just play around with the steamed idlis with your family' preference.

A few months back, I had to leave for India. As usual for the 3 men in the family, prepared some side dishes and idli batter. My son suggested that I refrigerate a few idlis for them to make idli upma later. ;)) So the idea to post this simple dish came to my mind for the bachelors and also for those looking for options to feed idli to their fussy children.