During Breakfast
She: “Honey! What do you want for breakfast? Is idli ok?”
He: “mm..Dint we have Idlis just yesterday? I want toast today…”
Packing Lunch
She: “Would you like me to pack Idlis for your box?”
He: “What..(Sulking!) no..no..They will be cold! Ok Ok your hotbox may help..but I don’t like idlis for lunch!”
Dinner
She: “I feel so tired..What a day! I don’t feel like cooking either…How about Idlis?”
He: “What’s with you and idlis! Never thought you were idlyentric!” [that’s Idli + eccentric = idlyentric for you].
She: (Sign!) “No I am not Idly crazy or something! It’s just that I have lots of idly batter – Just wanted to use it that’s all.”
I am sure this situation would have been “been there and done that” in many of your homes. It’s the same in mine too. Become enthusiastic and grind lots of idly batter and then cope with the family who suddenly become idly phobic. Enter idly clones and you end up making different varieties of tiffin with idly batter – idly fry, idly upma, kuzhi paniyarams,idly roast and ..and..yes Uthappams.Uthappams are South Indian pizzas, or you may call it savory pancakes and are mostly made with leftover Idly batter. They are instant, quick, simple and utterly delicious – of course provided you have the idly batter in hand. But then going by the taste, having leftovers in this case is warranted!:)You want to have some left over idly batter – so you end up making more batter. Any topping of your choice accompanied with spicy chutney’s make the meal.
Method
1.If you have stored the batter, make sure you bring the batter to room temperature before cooking.
2.In a skillet, greased with approx ¼ tsp oil and rubbed with half sliced onion, pour out 1 ladle of batter in the center.
3.It should be like a pancake, thick and shaped into a circle and then top it with little onion, tomato, chilies and cilantro.
4.After 2-3 min, when done – you will know if you lift it with your spatula easily without it sticking to the bottom- turn it the other side. Cook for another 2-3 min. You can pour about ¼-1/2 tsp of oil if needed around the uthappams.
5.Remove and serve. The aroma that’s wafts is amazing. Serve it with suggested accompaniments.
