Idly Fry:

I recall my early childhood days…my Mom and brother used to go to my granny’s home, during summer vacation. Happily leaving behind, me and my Pappa:( Hmmm, even though Dad would be so busy’ he will never fail to give me atleast 3 calls from his office during the day:) Well, indeed we both had some good time, back then:) I will be longing for that evening stroll…where we will drive around the town, go and watch second show movies’ usually some thriller movies…exhibition, circus…we won’t miss a thing:) And of course sample different food from various restaurants:) You know what? I will get that special attention,all the while… as he will take me to official meetings, sometimes…and I end up chatting with all his friends! Maybe that is why I mingle with older people so easily!! I hardly ever had/have friends of my own age:( So, coming to the story…whenever I think of those fun filled summer vacation…I just recall this one particular dish, this was one of my favorite dinner…back then. Almost all the restaurants prepare this dish in a similar fashion, however my nostalgic feeling goes to one particular place ‘Hotel Khanna’! Well…they prepared it exquisite. We really had hard time, cracking the ingredients in it…when we wanted to fix the same, at home! Later, the Hotel owner and friend, generously offered us help by sending one of his chef to our home…he taught my Mom to prepare the dish, how sweet…right! Before’ that my Mommy always fed us with less salt, less oil, less chili kind of stuff’ thinking that am only a kid…but later, realized that I was really grown and ready for hot-spicy food:) Guess, we all demonstrate our first independence by claiming a favorite meal; thinking that it is all adult and expect everyone should respect it:):)

Idly – Just in case, if you want to know’ what idly is!!!

Ingredients:

Idly 8-10 numbers – cold

Onion half kilo(finely chopped)

Green chillies 1 cup(finely chopped)

Tomato puree (fresh pressed)1 cup

Mint leaves 1 large bowl full

Curry leaves 1 large bowl full

Salt

Red chili powder 2 spoons

Garam masala powder 1/4 spoon

Oil 1 cup.

Preparation:

Heat a cup of oil, in a wide wok. Fry curry leaves crisply, set aside.

Later fry green chillies crisply. Followed by onions…wait till it turns from golden to reddish brown.

Add tomato puree,mint, salt, chili, food color and garam masala powder. Fry real good. Once oil shows up on the sides…stir-in cubed idlies.

Fry over high heat…garnish with curry leaves.

If you have some leftovers idlies, its totally fun’ to fix this. It makes a wonderful choice for a relaxed dinner:) Hope you all will enjoy it:)