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    Home » Recipes » Idli | Dosa

    Idli Upma - Proper use of left over Idlis

    Published: Jun 10, 2016 · by Nisha

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Idli Upma - Left over idlis made into upma, seasoned with mustard seeds, curry leaves, chillies and nuts & dal.

    Idli is the most common breakfast in South Indian homes. Its almost an everyday fare with different chutney and sambar varieties to pair it with. Idlis are supposed to be eaten warm and almost as soon as it is made. As it is cooled and with time, idlis become dry. Inevitably, when there are leftover idlis, we make them into something that makes it more edible and pleasant.

    Top down shot of idli upma on a vintage plate with designs on the rim.
    Idli Upma

    The best way to use excess idlis is to make them into an upma. Crumble the leftover idlis and season the with the usual indian tempering ingredients like mustard seeds, chillies, curry leaves etc...

    Check other variations of Upma - Rava Upma Gothumai Rava Upma.

    5 from 1 vote
    Idli upma with a top down shot on a vintage plate.
    Print
    Idli Upma
    Prep Time
    5 mins
    Cook Time
    10 mins
    Total Time
    15 mins
     

    Idli Upma, an upma made with leftover excess idlis to make a quick and easy breakfast fix. Idli upma is usually topped with nuts like peanuts or cashews to make it more crunchy and exotic.

    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: Indian, Tamil Nadu
    Keyword: leftover idli recipes, Quick breakfast indian recipes
    Servings: 2 to 3 persons
    Calories per serving: 160 kcal
    Author: Nisha
    Ingredients
    • 12 Idli pieces, crumbled (1)
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
    • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 1 teaspoon channa dal
    • ½ teaspoon urad dal
    • ½ cup chopped onions
    • 3-4 curry leaves, torn
    • 2 green chillies, slit lengthwise
    • ½ tablespoon peanuts or cashews
    • Salt to taste
    • Coriander for garnish
    Instructions
    1. Crumble the idli pieces and keep aside.
    2. Heat oil in a Kadai | Pan over medium high heat.
    3. Once the oil shimmers, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Then add the curry leaves, green chillies and fry for 30 seconds. Then add the channa dal, then urad dal. Keep stirring. 

    4. Once they turn golden brown, add the chopped onions and saute until it turns translucent. No need to brown the onions. 

    5. Now, add the turmeric powder and the crumbled idli. Mix and check for salt and spice. If the green chilli spice is not enough, add little red chilli powder. Mix well and once well combined, turn off the flame. 

    6. Finally garnish it with coriander leaves and serve them warm. Coconut chutney can be served on the side (optional)

    Recipe Notes
    1. This is prepared with left over idli. But if you want to prepare this, make the idli either a day ahead or at least well ahead that the idli is cooled completely. If you prepare with fresh instant idli, it might become sticky.
    2. If the idli is very sour, increase the green chilli or add some red chilli powder.

    View other "Idli | Dosa" recipes

    • Adai recipe, South Indian lentils dosa ( pancakes )
    • Podi Dosa
      Podi Dosa - Dosa with Milagai Podi
    • Green Uthappam
      Green Uthappam - with coriander leaves and chillies
    • Grilled Corn & Paneer Dosa

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sapana says

      August 16, 2017 at 9:11 pm

      I love the way you crumbled the idlis. Looks very beautiful.

      Reply
    2. Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says

      July 16, 2017 at 4:58 pm

      Great way to use left over idlis. 🙂 Love this upma very much.

      Reply
    3. Chef Mireille says

      July 12, 2017 at 5:41 am

      looks inviting and delicious

      Reply
    4. Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says

      July 06, 2017 at 11:41 am

      Always idli upma is unquie and tasty compared the the regular one.. Looks awesome..

      Reply
    5. Priya Suresh says

      July 03, 2017 at 7:50 am

      All time favourite breakfast, just love it with some podi on the top.

      Reply
    6. harini says

      June 28, 2017 at 6:44 pm

      Another reminder for me to make sure that there some idlis left over 🙂 Lovely pictures.

      Reply
    7. themadscientiststskitchen says

      June 28, 2017 at 9:42 am

      I could spend hours looking at the pic. Its beautiful.

      Reply
    8. Vaishali says

      June 28, 2017 at 1:31 am

      The Upma sounds delicious and a great way to use the leftover idlis , definitely a must try.

      Reply
    9. Mayuri Patel says

      June 27, 2017 at 4:07 am

      I've never made Upma from leftover idlis.. must try it as it looks so yummy.

      Reply
    10. Jyoti says

      June 26, 2017 at 4:37 am

      great way to use up any leftover idlis..

      Reply

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    About Nisha

    Nisha freelances as a food & product photographer/recipe developer & content creator in the F&B space.

    She loves everything about food and their stories! You can find her mostly in the kitchen trying to whip up something or reading culinary anecdotes.

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