Masala Fried Idly / Fried Idly in Spiced Curry

When I was in collage I remembered having this Masala fried Idly in a function in my native place.  Today I had some left over idlies and I am bored of making same Idly Upma. Suddenly I had a thought of making this Masala Fried Idly.  Immediately I got this recipe from my sister and tried it. It came out so good and it is real simple too.

Time of Preparation : 30 minutes
Spice level : 3 out of 5

Ingredients:
For Fried Idly:

• Left over Idlies – 6
• All purpose flour – 3 tsp
• Cornflour – 3 tsp
• Orange food color – a pinch
• Oil – For frying

For Masala:

• Oil – 2 tsp
• Cinnamon stick – 1 “
• Cloves – 2
• Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
• Fennel seeds – 1 tsp
• Coriander seeds – 1 tsp
• Red chillies – 2 (according to spice level)
• Ginger – 1 tsp (chopped)
• Garlic – 3 cloves
• Onions (preferably red onions) – 1 cup (finely chopped)
• Tomatoes – 1 1/4 cup
• Cashew nuts – 1 tbsp (chopped and soaked in water)
• Bay leaf – 1
• Food color – a pinch (optional)
• Coriander leaves – 1 tbsp (chopped)
• Fried cashews – 1 tsp (for garnishing)

Method of Preparation:

1. First to prepare the masala, heat oil in a pan and add cinnamon sticks followed by cloves, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, red chillies, coriander seeds, ginger, garlic and chopped onions.
2. Add some salt and fry till they become translucent and add the chopped tomatoes.
3. Fry till they become soft and let it cool.
4. Grind it along with the soaked cashews and make it to a smooth paste.
5. Add some water so that it forms a thick gravy.
6. Heat oil in a pan and add the bay leaf. Then add the ground masala and let it boil for 2 minutes.
7. Remove from the heat and garnish with fried cashews and coriander leaves.
8. Now mix the corn flour and all purpose flour. Add the food color in little water and add it to the flour mixture to form a thick paste.
9. In the meantime heat oil in a pan and dip the idly one by one and fry them when the oil become hot.
10. Now pour the masala on top of the fried idlies andd serve them immediately.

Note:

• Adding food color to the masala is totally optional. If needed, add the food color with little water when the gravy is boiling.
• We can cut the idlies to pieces and then fry them.