Fried idli or Masala Idli Fry is a mildly spiced quick stir fry dish made from idlis. To those uninitiated into the world of Indian cooking, idlis are spongy steamed cakes made with a fermented batter of rice and lentils. It is a southern Indian breakfast speciality.
I love idli! Soft, spongey, and simply irresistible. Whenever I make idlis at home, I always make a few extra batches, just so I have some leftover to make this masala idli fry for a quick breakfast or evening snack. Idli is considered as one of the best nutritious and light food as steaming preserves most of the nutrients. Also, the fermentation process breaks down the starches so that the idlis are more easily metabolized by the body.
I enjoy fried idlis on its own, but it can be served along with coconut chutney or sambar. My brother has a love for butter and once he made these fried idli while he was visiting me with loads of butter and masala. Oh! It was scrumptious. Not sure how healthy it was due to the loads of butter, but it surely was the best fried idli I have ever eaten. I love fried idli sooo much that I make a lighter version of what my brother made. If you want to make it as a real treat, then I would highly recommend making it in butter (also increase the butter quantity to 2 tablespoons) instead of 1 tablespoon oil.
This mildly spiced sauteed recipe of idli is perfect for breakfast, quick lunch or even snack.
