Mini Masala Fried Idlis with Peppers and Peas

Day5 of BM#4: An interesting conversation between myself and my bossy 3-yr old-
A: Mom, what is your problem?
Me: What's the matter, A?
A: Take me to the library. I want Max and Ruby book.
Me: Hold on, Pudding. We will go in a bit, ok?
A: (2 seconds later) Mom, come away from the computer. Its your last warning.
Me: Puttu, you can't talk to mommy like that.
A: Yes Mommy. I will put you in the the Dirty Water(Storm Drain) and you will stay there until you are 60-yrs old.
Me:(At loss for words..wondering where this is all coming from) We will go after you are done with your snack. Okay, pudding?
***An hour later..he has forgotten the trip to Library. He lifts his T-shirt and touches his belly-button while I am chilling with a cookbook) ***
A: Mommy, what is this?
Me: Its a belly-button, Pudding
A: I want to hold that belly-button.
Me: You may touch it, feel it but you can't hold it A.
A: (After some thought) I want 2 belly-button, 3 belly-button, 4 belly-button
Me: You can't have that many, Pudding. Everyone has "just one". Be happy with the one you have, okay?
A: (After some thought) I want to go buy belly-buttons in the shop. Mommy, lets go to Stop & Shop.
Me: LoL, LoL, LoL. They don't sell belly-buttons in stores. Okay? But they sure sell veggies. Go get your coat, A. We will go get some peppers for your num-num.
*** Off we go! The End ***

A few other Hilarious quotes of my little boy:

• Daddy is a Mad Dog, I am a happy puppy (My favorite)
• Mommy, clean this poo-poo-ness (After a potty session, My least favorite, LoL)
• Timeout for you Mommy. That's your patience (He can't say "punishment" yet)
• Mommy, can you be Princess Fiona?? (He says this after he picks out a nice outfit for me. The kid knows only one Princess and that's from Shrek movie. The kid doesn't grasp the concept that she is also an Ogre Fiona)

Anyways, I make this colorful dish for A to snack on or even as a breakfast. This recipe goes with the assumption that people have "Idli batter" handy. I am surprised that I haven't posted an Idli("Steamed Rice Cakes")  recipe yet!  

And hey folks, Happy Earth Day 2011. To the Christians around the world, Have a reflective Good Friday! To my sweet loving Mom, Happy Birthday!

Ingredients:

• 18 Mini Idlis
• 1 Small Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Red, Yellow and Orange Peppers
• 1/8 Cup Green Peas
• 1 Stalk Curry Leaves
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
• 1/8 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1-1/2 Tbsp Oil
• Salt as needed

Procedure:

• Make Idlis from the Idli batter. 

• In a skillet, heat the oil and add the mustard seeds. Once they start sputtering, add the chopped onion and the chopped peppers. Saute until the onions are browned and the peppers are shrunk.

• Add the green peas, curry leaves, turmeric powder, chili powder and salt and give a good stir.

• Add the steamed "mini idlis" to the pan.

• Toss about until they are all mixed.

• Move it to the plate and get ready to dig in.

On a lazy day, I just chop the regular-sized idlis and fry them with the spices minus the Veggies and they look like this-

Makes 2 Servings.

Check out the Blogging Marathoners doing (Group 3) BM#4 along with me-
Diabetes Diet/Management: Kamalika, Smitha, Suma
Kid Friendly Recipes: Anusha, Cool Lassi(e)
Seven Days of Soup: Priya Suresh
Seven Days of Indian Bread: Jayasree, Pavani
Seven Days of Cakes:  Priya Vasu
Seven Days of Preserves: Gayathri Kumar, Vaishali
30 Minutes Meals: Priya Mahadevan, Sriv

Enjoy!