Spicy Kuzhi Paniyaram - Chettinad cuisine

This is a simple technique to transform left-over idly/dosa batter into a lip-smacking evening snack that you'll eventually start making dosa batter with the intention of relishing these paniyarams

There is also a sweet version of paniyaram made with jaggery that can be prepared in a jiffy! I shall post it with pictures later.  These delicacies are originally from Chettinad cuisine, which is a specialty of Chettinad region in the state of Tamilnadu in South India.  Athirasam is also a very popular sweet that belongs to this cuisine.

Ingredients -

Idli/ dosa batter - 1 cup

Onions - 1, medium sized, finely chopped

Green chillies - 2-3, cut finely

Curry leaves - a few

Mustard seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Urad dal - 1 teaspoon
Channa dal - 1 1/2 teaspoon (This gives the crunchy effect)

Asafoetida powder - a pinch

Coriander leaves - a few

Grated coconut - (optional) - 2 tbsp

Oil - 1 tablespoon

Salt - 1/8 tsp (As idli/dosa batter already contains salt)

Method -

• Heat oil in a pan. Allow mustard seeds to splutter.
• Add urad dal, channa dal, curry leaves, onions, green chillies, asafoetida powder and fry for few minutes until all onions turn pinkish-to-golden brown.
• Then mix all of this with the dosa batter. Add grated coconut also, if you like :)
• Add fresh cilantro/coriander leaves to the mixture. Check for salt and adjust. 

Batter is ready to be made into paniyarams

• Heat the paniyaram pan and gently rub 2 drops of oil in each of the holes (kuzhi in Tamil).
• Once it gets slightly hot, spoon batter into the holes and allow it to cook on medium flame.
• Once you see the sides browning, turn them over to cook the other side too.
• Slid 2 drops of oil into each hole, to get crispy paniyarams :)
• Press a fork and see that the batter does not stick to the fork while taking it out. That's an indication that it's actually well-cooked within.

Spicy Kuzhi paniyaram before getting fully crispy

Tip : It is essential that you wait patiently and cook this on medium flame, else the paniyarams will turn black on the exterior without getting cooked inside.

Crispy Paniyarams with Tomato Thokku

Serve hot with any chutney :) Vegetable chutney or Tomato Thokku tastes awesome with these spicy, crispy balls

I was too lazy to make more than 2 rounds (14 paniyarams), so I made uthappams using the same batter :) Tasted yummy! :)

Uthappam from Paniyaram batter

Serve these with sambar and/or any kind of chutney.