Idli Manchurian

Inspired by this post by Shankari, I wanted to try my hand at making Idli manchurian and it came out really well. It's also guilt-free unlike it's deep-fried counterpart: Gobi Manchurian, but still satisfies manchurian-cravings. Shankari mentioned that she baked the idlis and that is what initially drew me to the recipe. I cut the idlis into smaller pieces and tossed them with some chilli powder before spraying some oil and baking them. They are yummy just out of the oven, even before I proceed to make a manchurian of them... I tossed some of the pieces with idli milagai podi and ate them just like that...

There was a little disaster associated with this - I had set some yogurt that afternoon and had it in the oven so it would be warm but totally forgot about it being in when I preheated the oven to bake these idli pieces. When I was ready to pop the idli in I was so horrified to see the vessel with the milk + curd concoction!! I quickly pulled it out but damage had already been done. It hadn't set sufficient but there was some whey that separated out and it was at an intermediary stage of paneer... or so I concluded. In an effort to salvage it, I proceeded to start on a slightly laborious process and something sweet and delectable came out of this disaster :) Will post that later.

Coming back to the Idli manchurian recipe, I did it pretty much like the cauliflower manchurian.

IDLI MANCHURIAN


Ingredients:
Idlis - 8
Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Onions - 1 small or half medium, chopped into 1 inch pieces
Green & Red Bell pepper - about 1/2 cup, cut into 1 inch cubes
Spring Onions - 3, chopped with white and green parts separated
Green Chillies - 3, chopped finely
Ginger - 1 tsp, minced
Garlic - 1-2 tsp, minced
Light Sodium Soysauce - 1 tbsp
(Sriracha) Chilli sauce - 1 tsp, or to taste
Ketchup - 1 to 2 tsp
Cornflour - 1 tbsp (mixed with 1/4 cup water)
Oil - 2 tsp + enough to spray on idlis.
Salt & Pepper - to taste

Method:
1) Preheat oven to 375F. Cut idlis into small pieces (I made about 9 pieces with each idli). Toss with some chilli powder and spread on a baking sheet, coat with some oil spray. Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or till golden and crispy.


2) Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan and add the chopped green chillies, ginger, garlic, spring onion white and onions. Cook till they are translucent.
3) Add the bell peppers and little salt and sauté till they are crisp-tender.
4) Push the veggies to the edges of the pan and in the middle pour the remaining 1 tsp oil. In this oil, toss in the sauces (soy, chilli & Ketchup) with a sprinkle of pepper and salt, as required. When they are heated through, toss with the veggies and add the baked idli pieces.
5) Now add the cornflour mixed with water to this and toss for a few more minutes till it all comes together and gets a slight glaze.
6) Garnish with spring onion tops and serve hot!

Comments

  1. Glad it turned out well. Lol on the yogurt. I have things in my oven, I am paranoid abt it..

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  2. Idli manchurian is such a creative idea!

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  3. idli manchurian? I have never heard of this. looks great, though.
    By the way, round-up for T&T May is up now. Hope you re ready for the June challenge.

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  4. I had in hotel this manchurian, love ur dish Lavaanya , looks delicious :)

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  5. First time on your blog ...You have very good collection of recipes ..And i love this Idli manchurian very innovative !!

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  6. wow, never heard of idli manchurian! So creative of you Lavanya! Each and every picture looks delicious.

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  7. I remember Shankari's post...
    I like manchurian, so I would like this too.:D

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  8. Idli Manchurian..wow never heard of it..looks delicious..thanks for sharing this recipe

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  9. looks yummy..this would be a delicious option instaed of having idlis plain..

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  10. Loved this recipe. Creative and yummy :).

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  11. Very creative Laavanya, even though I love manchurian I am a bit scpetical to try this. Does the idli hold the manchurian gravy or does it become soggy?

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  12. What a recipe! Very creative..

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  13. That's a very good of roasting the idlis in the oven. Never thought of it. Will definitely try the next time Laavanya. Really a very good one.

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  14. very creative...lovely recipe lavanya...will surely try this

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  15. I have been doing this regularly to my yogurt pots in the oven and many have melted also...:)

    nice idli manchurian...

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  16. Nice one Laav!! Here S was looking at your Blog & was like Wow Idli Manchurian!! Very nice.S loves Manchurian & had a feast of it in B'lore every single day!!

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  17. That's a great ides, looks like Cauliflower, lot better tasting!:)

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  18. I used to fry in oil.But baking is really good idea..will try it soon

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  19. Hi hi can't wait to see what you have salvaged from that curd in the oven.
    Idli manchirian this is indeed fusion.
    Looks good and really creative.

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  20. Nice twist to the usual idlis..

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  21. Looks yummy...a great fusion dish.Keep it going , looking forward to ur other interesting recipes.

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  22. WOW.... This is a yummy recipe. Look so good. So creative recipe. YUM!

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  23. Laavanya-

    idli manchurian looks delicious, great idea to bake them first.

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  24. Lavanya, I have to try this, so cool not deep fried I am sold

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  25. Love this idea!!! Gorgeous dish, Laavanya! :)

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  26. manchurian with idli wowwwwww great idea lavanya

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  27. I ate this for the first time at amber cafe in mountainview, and have been a fan ever since! your looks great laavi!:)

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  28. hey its different to know idli manchirian..its so creative laavanya

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  29. Baked the idlis, that's interesting. It must very different right?Now I have to make idlis to try this dish!

    Ohhh the curd, hmm waiting to see what you made out of the "not just yet paneer" :D

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  30. i have been eyeing shankari's idli manchurian recipe since long time. they look delicious lav:) and i cant wait to hear sweet conclusion to ur kitchen dissaster:)

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  31. Idli manchurian is such a creative idea!Looks Gr8........

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  32. now this is what I call innovation!!

    will definately try this !

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  33. oh wow! this is a cool idea... I had made idli chaat once n that was pretty good too!!

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  34. Great Great idea, lovely recipe, looks awesome!!!!

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  35. that baked idly looks delicious..actually like crutons :D..can you see i miss bread!!...should try this recipe re..and waiting for the yogurt goof-up desert!

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  36. Thanks everyone!

    RC, You could skip the cornflour + water paste and keep the idli pieces for a little while longer in the oven to maintain the crispness. Ours wasn't totally crispy but not completely soggy either.

    Rajitha, when i popped the idli pieces in my mouth (after about half hour), they had hardened and were very similar to croutons.

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  37. idli is one of my least fave dishes unless maybe if its soaked in sambhar. but this definitely makes it interesting :D

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  38. I tried it out today becas it need not be fried in oil and it came out Jus like the ones I used to have in Chennai hotels. Liked it a lot. Thanks a lot Laavanya. There are so many intersting recipies you have and I am goin to try them one by one...

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  39. Jeevitha, am so glad they turned out well for you. Thank you for the feedback and let me know if you were able to try any other recipes.

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