Kuzhi Paniyaram (spicy)

Kuzhi paniyaram is a very famous breakfast or snacks item in Tamil nadu.This is a chettinad special item.Usually this is served with spicy and tangy tomato chutney and that is a lip smacking combo :). Though there is certainly an authentic method to prepare paniyaram batter,many a times this paniyaram is prepared instantly using left over idly batter or idly batter which is older than 3 days and sour. The sourness is balanced by the good amount of tadka or tempering that goes into the batter. We never made it in our home,but I tasted it first in my friend's house.She was my colleague and her grand mom prepared this for us and it was so yummy that next time when we visited we asked for this dish :). From then this paniyaram happens to be one of my favorite dish. This makes for a very tasty snack with a hot cup of coffee or tea or even a light dinner. Today I made masala or vegetable paniyaram and skipped chutney :)
How to make masala paniyaram: Vegetable masala:

Ingredients:
1 capsicum(green bell pepper) chopped fine
1 onion chopped fine
1 teaspoon coconut (optional)
1 carrot chopped fine
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon channa dal
1 teaspoon urad dal
10-12 curry leaves
1 tablespoon cilantro
2 green chilles
Small piece of ginger crushed
Salt to taste
Method:
Heat oil in a kadai,temper mustard,urad,channa dal. Add green chillies and ginger and saute for 2 minutes. Next add onion,fry till golden brown,add the vegetables,salt and cook for 10 minutes.Garnish with coconut,cuury leaves and cilantro.Mix well.
This masala can also used in various recipes.
1. Spread the masala between two bread slices and toast to make bakery style sandwich
2.Mix in with cooked and cooled rice to make masala rice in a jiffy
3.Makes tasty masala dosa ( a very good change from traditional potato masala)
Now let's see how to make paniyaram

Ingredients
2 cups idly batter
1/2 cup prepared vegetable masala
A pinch of salt
1 teaspoon sesame oil.
Method:
 You will need a kuzhi paniyaram mould(paniyara kal) to prepare this. Though the traditional moulds are made of iron,non stick ones available is best for beginners.
 Mix in all the ingredients,pour in each hole of paniyara kal using a table spoon and cook for 2 minutes,turn using a skewer and cook on the other side for 2 more minutes.Serve hot
Time: 30 minutes(including the preperation of masala)
Yield: 20
Sending this to
1. what's with my cuppa-2
2. CWS urad dal hosted by Sowmya,created by Priya