Leftover idli upma recipe | Idli upma with vegetables | Idli uppittu


Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu

Leftover idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | idli upma with vegetables | Idli uppittu | Idly uppuma with detailed step-by-step photos.

Idli upma is a healthy and tasty recipe made from crumbled idlis and veggies tossed in a spicy tempering/tadka. It is a popular South Indian breakfast recipe made whenever leftover idlis are in hand.

Idli upma can be made from freshly prepared idlis or with refrigerated idlis. The plain version is pretty simple, mild, and prepared within 10 minutes.
My version of idli upma with vegetables is wholesome and flavorful. I like to throw in veggies like carrots, green peas, capsicum, sweet corn, and potatoes. Occasionally, I love to throw in some paneer chunks to idli upma to increase the protein content.

Adding veggies, paneer, and nuts takes a simple bland idli upma to the next level. Though this variation takes some time to prepare, it's totally worth it as this would keep you full and satiated for a longer time. It is a complete meal by itself.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

For a crunchy flavor, I love to deck up with cashews, roasted peanuts, and sev/bhujia. For garnishing, you may sprinkle some grated coconut on top. You can even drizzle some lime/lemon juice for a tangy flavor.

Idli upma makes an ideal recipe for breakfast, mid-meal, and also eaten as a snack with coffee in the evening. Moreover, it is a perfect lunch box recipe and can be packed for a long drive. Idli upma is best served warm along with sambar, chutney, and pickle. However, if you have no time or are too lazy to make any side dish, simply enjoy it with a tsp of sugar.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

What is idli:

Idli/idly is a fluffy round-shaped fermented rice cake. It is a traditional breakfast recipe from the Southern part of India. Idli is a wholesome dish, usually paired with sambar, coconut chutney, mint coriander, and red chutney.

What is idli made from:

Idli is a ground batter made from rice, urad dal, meethi seeds, and water. It is a steamed dish where the ingredients are typically soaked for a few hours before being ground into a smooth batter in a blender/grinder. The idli batter is usually allowed to ferment for 8 to 10 hours, and the fermented batter is poured into idli molds and cooked in an idli steamer for 10 minutes.

Idli upma recipe | How to make idli upma | Idly upma with leftover idli recipes

How to store leftover idlis:

Idlis can be kept outside for a day or two. It doesn't get spoiled easily as no perishable ingredients are added to the batter. Idlis stay good for a week in the refrigerator and are stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to reheat idlis:

Fresh/Refrigerated idlis can be reheated in a microwave for a minute. Bring the frozen idlis to room temperature before thawing it. Also, moisten the idlis with water if it's dry/hard. Idlis can also be warmed up on a griddle/Tawa.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

What recipes can be made from leftover idli:

Idli fry recipe, Idli Manchurian recipe, Chili Idli recipe, Masala idli recipe, podi idli recipe, Kheema idli recipe, Tawa idli fry, etc.

How to break/crumble idly for idli upma:

Refrigerated idlis are easy to break as it is hard and dry. You can roughly chop the idli into small pieces using a knife and then crumble it using your fingers. You may also use the blender to break the cold/hard idlis if you don't want to use your hands. Never crumble the hot idlis as it will make upma turn mushy due to the moistness and stickiness present in hot idlis. 

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

Recipe - Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idli


Serves - 3
Cuisine - South Indian
Course - Breakfast | Tiffen
Prep time - 10 min | Cook time - 15 min | Total time - 25 min
Diet - Vegetarian | Vegan
Calories - 145 per serving
Author - Pavithra

Idli upma Ingredients:

Idli/Idly - 12
Onion - 1
Green peas - 1/2 cup boiled
Salt - 1tsp/ As per taste
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp optional
Ginger - 1 tsp finely chopped

To season:

Coconut oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Channa dal - 1 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Cashews - 3 tbsp
Roasted peanuts - 2 tbsp
Green chili - 2
Red chili - 1
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Asafoetida - A pinch

To garnish:

Cilantro/Coriander - 4 twigs
Lemon - Half
Coconut - 2 tbsp grated optional

Notes:

1. Boiled veggies like carrots, potatoes, corn, and capsicum can be added to green peas.

2. Adjust chilies as per your spice level.

3. You can make plain white idly upma without turmeric powder.

4. Coconut oil gives an aromatic flavor to the upma. However, it can be substituted with any other cooking oil or ghee.

5. Fresh or frozen green peas can be used.

How to make idli upma:


1. Crumble the idly using your fingers and chop the red onion and other veggies. Keep it aside.

2. Heat oil in a pan over a medium flame. Temper mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fry urad dal, channa dal, cashews, roasted peanuts, green/red chili, curry leaves, ginger, and hing.

3. Add sliced onion and sprinkle some salt. Saute until it turns pink or translucent.

4. Add veggies and boiled peas at this point and let it cook. Sprinkle little water if required.

5. Add turmeric powder if you like; it gives a naturally yellowish hue to the idli upma. Give it a nice mix.

6. Add crumbled idly once the veggies are cooked. Mix it well.

7. Add salt if required. If you like, garnish with coconut (optional) and turn off the flame.

8. Squeeze lime/lemon juice for a refreshingly tangy flavor, and finally garnish it with finely chopped cilantro.

9. Idli/idly upma recipe is ready to be served with sambar and chutney.

How to make idli upma with step by step photos:


1. Crumble the idly using your fingers and keep it ready. Also, chop the red onion and veggies.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

2. Heat a tbsp of coconut oil in a pan over a medium flame.

Idli upma recipe | How to make idli upma | Idly upma with leftover idli recipes

3. Temper mustard seeds, and then add cumin seeds. Allow them to crackle.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

4. Fry urad dal, channa dal, cashews, and roasted peanuts until it turns aromatic and golden brown.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

5. Add green/red chili, curry leaves, ginger, and hing.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

6. Add sliced onion.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

7. Saute onion until it turns pink or translucent. Add some salt to speed up the process of cooking.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

8. Add veggies and boiled peas at this point, and let it cook for a few mins. Sprinkle a few tsp of water if needed. (Do not use more water because upma will turn mushy).

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

9. Add turmeric powder if you like; it gives a naturally yellowish hue to the idli upma.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

10. Give it a nice mix.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

11. Now, add the crumbled idly once the veggies are cooked.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

12. Mix it well.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

13. Add more salt and turmeric powder if required.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

14. Garnish it with coconut (optional), and turn off the flame. Finally, deck it up with finely chopped cilantro.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

15. Squeeze some lime/lemon juice for a refreshingly tangy flavor. Give it a nice mix.

Leftover Idli upma recipe | Idli upma with leftover idlis | Idli uppittu recipe

16. Idli upma is ready to be served with sambar and chutney.

Idli upma recipe | How to make idli upma | Idly upma with leftover idli recipes

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Idli upma recipe | How to make idli upma | Idly upma with leftover idli recipes

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