Paneer Kothu Idiyappam/ Masala Idiyappam

During my childhood I was not a great fan for Idiyappam, eating idiyappam was hard time for me it always requires a sidedish like Kurma or Payaa. My mom prepared so many Idiyappam varieties like Coconut Idiyappam, Lemon Idiyappam, Sweet Idiyappam and much more. But none of these Idiyappam recipes won my heart, until I made this Kothu Idiyappam. This is not an usual Idiyappam recipe, there is lot of spicy twists and yummy turns like paneer, cauliflower etc. When I shared this recipe with my mom and sister they appreciated a lot and now its one of the top hit recipe in our family. Hope you guys out there would try it and appreciate it as my family does.

Kothu Idiyappam

Ingredients

Idiyappam( cooked or leftover)- 10 nos

Onion medium( finely chopped)- 1 no

Garlic cloves( thinly sliced)- 2 nos

Tomato medium( finely chopped)- 1 no

Green chilli( broken into half)- 2

Curry leaves- few

Paneer( grated)- 1/4 cup( optional)

Cauliflower tiny florets- 1/2 cup

Carrot medium( finely chopped)- 1 no

Fresh green peas- 1/4 cup

Everest Garam masala powder/ Chicken masala powder- 2 tsp

Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp

Salt to taste

Cinnamon-1" piece

Oil- 2 tbsp

To Garnish

Coconut grated- 4 tbsp

Coriander leaves chopped- 4 tbsp

Kothu Idiyappam/ Masala Idiyappam

Method

Tear and break the Idiyappam into tiny pieces.

Heat oil in a pan, when oil is hot add cinnamon and fry for few seconds, then add chopped onion, garlic, green chilli and curry leaves, fry the onions until it turns golden brown.

Next add the chopped carrots, cauliflower, green peas and paneer to the frying onions and saute for few more mins.

Now add the chopped tomatoes and fry until tomatoes are cooked and mashed.

Season the frying vegetables with Garam masala, turmeric powder and salt.

Add a tsp of water to the vegetables, cover the pan with lid and allow the vegetables to cook for a minute.

When the water is absorbed and vegetables are dry, add the Idiyappam pieces and stir well until the vegetables are mixed well with Idiyappam.

Finally add the grated coconut and chopped coriander leaves to the Idiyappam and mix well.

Serve hot Kothu Idiyappam or Masala Idiyappam with raitha or gravy of your choice.

Note: Instead of grated Paneer, cooked minced meat can be added to the above Idiyappam preparation.