Masala Idly

In my native place (Tirunelveli) there is an unwritten rule among us that the breakfast on the first day of the month should include idly or dosai and sambar. The elderly would consider this idli tradition very auspicious and would request their daughters and DILs to practice this on every month beginning as well as on festive days. So we can see the ladies preparing the idly batter the previous day. I guess this is something associated with buying bulk groceries or regular pantry checking during the beginning of the month and also to bring everyone to a breakfast schedule:) So no wonder, we can see numerous idly dosa varieties in our town :)
This masala idly can be seen as an idly stuffed with potato masala , which will taste similar to masal dosai. I have used left over potato masala curry and it tastes good too. The recipe is simple and hope you all enjoy it!

Masala idly with coconut chutney

steamed idlies

Idly stuffed with potato masala.

For idli:
Idly batter (thosai mavu) - 2 cups

Filling for 8 - 10 idlies:
Potato - 2
onion - 1
tomato - 1
cumin powder, turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
red chili powder , garam masal powder - 1 tsp
besan flour - 1 tsp
minced ginger - 1 tsp
cilantro - few leaves
oil - 1 tbsp
fennel seeds (sombu) - 1 tsp
salt - to taste

Pressure cook the  potao, peel and mash it finely.
In a wok, heat a tbsp of oil and add fennel seeds.
As the fennel gets red, add the finely chopped onion, cilantro and cook till onion turns golden.
Then add finely chopped tomato and cook till it gets soft.
Add the minced ginger, mashed potato, powders mentioned above and add salt to taste.
Add little besan flour to thicken the masala , stir fry and keep aside.

Masala idli:
Grease the idli plates with few drops of ghee or oil.
Scoop 2 tbsp of idly batter to each hole.
Then put a heaped tbsp of potato masala.
Cover it with few tbsp of idly batter.
Steam cook this just like idly (inside a pressure cooker without steam valve or in idly cooker).
(Heat till we see lot of steam from nozzle, then reduce the heat and continue cooking in medium heat for 10 minutes).
Take out the plates. Let them cool for a few minutes or apply cold water at the back of idly plates and scoop out the idlies.
Masala idli is ready!

Serving suggestion:
Serve as breakfast or dinner along with sambar or coconut chutney.