Idly the steamed rice cakes are a staple in most South Indian houses .It’s eaten for breakfast , dinner , as a snack , travel food , when having fever or indigestion or as a comfort food .
It’s considered an ideal lunch box option too , when you add more veggies in them and couple it with mint and coriander chutney .
The Idly is considered healthiest food as it’s steamed, and fermented and is accompanied by Sambaar and Chutney , providing a basic nutrition to start the day .
It’s found in many avataars too .
Rava Idli , Semia Idly , Ghee idly , Podi Idly, Idly 65 , Manchurian idly , Kanchipuram Idly , Raw Rice Idly and the list goes on ..
If idlies gets leftover , they get a makeover and the result is Idli Usili .This delicious by product is spicy and super tasty .
Ingredients
Idlies (crumbled) 4 cups
Oil/Ghee 5 tablespoons
Mustard 1 teaspoon
Urad dal 1/2 teaspoon
Chana dal 1/2 teaspoon
Green chillies (chopped fine ) 6 to 8
Ginger( Chopped fine ) 1 teaspoon)
Curry leaves few
Coriander leaves chopped a little
Asafoetida 1/2 teaspoon
Lemon juice 1/2 tablespoon
Salt 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon
Method
Crumble the idlies with hand
Measure four cups .
In a kadai , add oil or ghee , as it heats up , add mustard , urad dal , chana dal and shallow fry for a minute .
Add green chillies , ginger , curry leaves, turmeric powder and asafoetida. Stir.
Add crumbled idlies and salt .
Mix well .
Garnish with coriander leaves .Top it with lemon juice .
Yummy idli Usili is ready .
Note
Cashewnuts can be added too to the Usili.
Pepper and cumin seeds crushed and added , it will give a different flavour to the Usili .
Dried Red byagadi chillies can be added , instead of green chillies.
Chopped onions, capsicum , peas ,grated carrot could be added to make it a Vegetable idli Usili
Sambaar powder can be added to make it , Masala Idli Usili .