Idli Usli(Idli Upma)

In most of the house holds in Mangalore, Idli used to be the favourite Sunday breakfast item. As youngsters, after having served ourselves steaming hot idlis topped with aromatic home made ghee and piping hot sambar on gold lined Hitkari crockery plates, some of us dreaded often thinking about the Idli Usli or Idli Upma that we were going to eat the next morning/evening! Recycling idlis turns out to be a comfort when you smash them into tiny bits, add some eater friendly stuff and present it with some namkeen and a sweet.

Not all Monday mornings were 'Idli Usli Mornings' but sometimes, mother used to make idli usli for breakfast. I was not against it, as I ate almost anything that mother prepared, except some food items loaded with ginger, coriander leaves and trifal. Now Idli Usli is one of my favourite snacks and being an ardent fan of idlis, khottiges and moodes, I simply love this. Those who can't attract their young ones with this can try the variation shown at the end of the recipe.

Ingredients:
Leftover Idli/Khottige/Moode - 2 cups smashed
Coconut Oil - 2 Tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 Tsp
Urad Daal - 1/2 Tsp
Curry Leaves - 1 Sprig
Green Chillies - 2, chopped
Asafotoeda - A pinch dissolved in little water
Grated Coconut - A handful
Coriander leaves(Optional) - A sprig chopped

Method:
Heat oil in a kadai and fry mustard seeds till they splutter.
Add urad daal and fry till golden.
Add curry leaves and chopped green chillies.
Fry till chillies get dehydrated and turn whitish golden in colour.
Now add the smashed idlis and toss on medium flame.
Add asafotoeda solution, grated coconut, optional coriander leaves and mix well.
Serve hot with any namkeen of your choice and with a piece of Banana Halwa any good sweet.
It is also customary to serve this with a ripe banana to complete the breakfast.

Variation:
You may add chopped onions, a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of garam masala powder along with the seasoning and squeeze little lemon at the finishing stage, which can attract younger generation to relish this. In that case, you may skip adding grated coconut.