STUFFED IDLY - With Spinach stuffing and Vegetable stuffing

Idly makes a rare appearance in my kitchen, mostly as a quick breakfast for my toddler during the weekdays. When I decided to make some idly with my dosa batter, I wanted to give a twist rather than the usual way. I knew one of the stuffing would be mixed vegetable, what about the other? Spinach! Yes, this is going to be idly stuffed with spinach curry and vegetable curry.

It is just the usual way of making idly but you have to go a bit further to make the stuffing. The stuffing can be of any choice and it depends purely on your taste and flavor. You might not need any side dish for having this as the stuffing itself might be flavorful. 

Spinach stuffing:

Time to make: 15-20 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

Spinach - 1 cup

Onion - 1 small (chopped finely)

tomato - 1 small (chopped finely)

Turmeric powder - a pinch

chili powder - 1 tsp 

oil - 1 tbsp

salt - to taste

How to make:

1. Blanch the spinach once it is almost 70% cooked and grind it in a mixer/blender.

2. Add oil in a kadai and add the onions. Fry them till translucent. 

3. Next add the tomatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder and salt. Fry them nicely till the tomatoes are cooked.

4.  Next add the spinach puree and mix them well. Cook for another 3 minutes in simmer flame. Your spinach curry is ready. In some cases, you may just add the cooked spinach to the tomato and grind everything together. I just preferred this way during this preparation.

Vegetable stuffing:

Time to make: 25-30 minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

Onion - 1 small (chopped finely)

Tomato - 1 small (chopped finely)

Potato - 1 (peeled, boiled and mashed)

Carrots and beans - 1/2 cup as shown in the picture

Chili powder - 1.5 tsp

turmeric powder - 1 tsp

salt - as per taste

oil - 1 tbsp

How to make:

1. Add oil in a kadai and add the onions. Fry them till they turn golden brown.

2.  Next add the tomatoes, turmeric powder, chili powder and salt. Fry them nicely till the tomatoes are cooked.

3. Next add the carrots and beans. Add some water to get the vegetables cooked.

4. Once the vegetables are cooked, next add the boiled and roughly mashed potatoes. Mix them well. 

5. Once everything is cooked, you can add some coriander leaves for garnishing. You may also add some garam masala powder once the potatoes are added for extra flavor.

For adding the stuffing to the idly, just grease the idly plates with a few drops of oil. Add in the idly batter till half of the round (as seen in the top of the picture below). Next add in the stuffing into the batter. I just added a normal spoonful of stuffing to the batter. Make sure it does not overflow as the batter will raise once it gets cooked. Next add some batter on top of the stuffing. You are done - You are ready to take the plates to make the idly.

Just let the idly's steam in the usual way as the stuffing is already cooked. I served it hot with some tomato chutney. You may adjust the spiciness by adding more chili powder or less. 

 

Something different, something tasty! Try it. They make a wonderful lunch box item for the kids as they make a great finger food! May be I should try it once little V gets adjusted with this taste.