Kara Kuzhi Paniyaram

Want something new and different with the Idli / Dosa batter??? then try these kara kuzhi paniyaram. Soft, fluffy with the nice little crunch from cashews and chana dal these cuties can win any heart...These are so good on their own that my MIL will have them as such without any chutney!!! However you can serve them with coriander or mint chutney or even the regular coconut chutney...

My younger sister had these once when she came here to see me and loved it totally.....Back in chennai she started bickering my mom to make these for her...Its mainly the chana dal that makes it so authentic, so do try and tell me how it turned out. Now onto the recipe...
INGREDIENTS:

Idli / Dosa Batter - 2 1/2 cups
Mustard - 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal - 1/2 tsp
Chana Dal - 2 tbsp
Cahew - 7 (chopped )
Green Chilli - 2 ( finely chopped )
Onion - 1 cup ( about 2 onions finely chopped)
Curry Leaves - few (finely chopped )
Oil -1 tbsp +4  tsp ( or as reqiured )
Salt - to taste

METHOD:
1) In a pan heat 1 tbsp oil and temper with mustard. After it splutters add urad dal, channa dal and cashews. Toss a little and then add green chilli and curry leaves and fry till dals turn golden brown and nice aroma comes.
2) Next add onions and toss a little till it all gets mixed (no need to cook till soft ).
3)  Lastly add salt and combine well and switch off (Take care in adding salt as the idli / dosa batter has salt already ). After it cools down a bit, add it to the Idli / Dosa batter and mix well.
4) Heat the paniyaram pan with few drops of oil in each kuzhi (hole). Spoon the batter in each hole ( a little less than the rim to avoid overflow ). Keep in medium low flame and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes ( or until the sides are all cooked like the photo below ).
5) Flip them using a knife or a spoon and cook till golden brown ( about 1 minute )
Yummy and tasty kara kuzhi paniyaram are ready!!!! Serve hot with chutney of your choice...

These paniyaram make a wonderful breakfast or even a good evening snack...

NOTES:
1) You can even add grated carrot for a different flavour.
2) It goes well with spicy hot tomato chutney too ( which is my sister's favourite ).  


Cheers,
Sindhiya.S