I didn't actually look into what the recipe called for when I decided I was going to make these Royal Idlis that I have been having in my files, filed under Dishes for Kids. When I saw the recipe, I was impressed as it called for adding a mix of dals to the cooked idlis. This is more like what you will do with leftover idlis. And it looked very much like how you might do with Paruppu Usli.
Since I normally don't make excess idlis, I had to make them fresh and do this version. I think these are called Royal Idlis because they are glorified into a new tasty dish. These are protein packed as I added two types of lentils to it and spicy too. As it was to be a kid's special, I made them with less spicy but then again added more when it became our breakfast too.
The measurement I have given is a little mild, so increase the lentil if you prefer or your kid prefers and makes it a bit spicy too.
This may not be a recipe that requires step by step, but since I had the luxury of having time on hand, I ended up making it so. It so happened that Amma ended up making noodles for the kids and naturally, they were more interested in that.

Step by Step pictures to see how to dress up Idlis

Steam the idlis as you regularly will do

Have the ingredients required to do the seasoning ready

Soak equal amount of Toor dal and Channa dal for 20 mins.

Grind them to a coarse paste along with Red and Green Chilies. The green chilis were the tender ones and were so spicy.

Meanwhile have a non stick pan on flames, add oil and green chilis, curry leaves, red chilis, mustard, urad and channa dal for seasoning.

Add the finely chopped onions.

Add turmeric and saute till the onions are brown.

Now, add the ground lentil paste. Mix well.

Cut the idles into small pieces like this.

Once the dals paste is cooked well, add the cut idli pieces.

Using a ladle firmly press them and mix well.
Royal Idli ~ How to make leftover Idlis pretty!
Idlies - 8
Ingredients
For the Lentil Paste
1 cup Toor Dal + Channa Dal, together
1 long Red Chillies
2 long Green Chillies (*tender ones)
Salt to taste
For Seasoning
2 tsp Oil
2 medium Onions
1/4 tsp Urad Dal
1/4 tsp Bengal Gram
1/4 Mustard Seeds
Curry Leaves
1 long Red Chilli
2 Green Chillies
4 - 5 Cashewnuts
Salt to taste
Instructions
Make Idlis the usual way. See how to make Idlis.
To make the Lentil Paste
Soak both the dals in water for 2 hrs and drain it completely. Grind them with salt, chilies coarsely. Dals can be soaked for just 30 mins also since the paste will be fried in oil.
To make the Seasoning
Heat oil in a pan, do seasoning and once it splutters, add finely chopped onions, curry leaves and saute well till onions brown. Then add the ground dal paste and cook till it becomes crumbly.
Meanwhile, cut idlis into small pieces.
Once the dal is cooked, add the cut idlis to the pan, mix well and cook for 5 mins with lid covered. Make sure you blend the idlis with the lentil mix well.
Finally fried cashews. This is completely optional.
For adults, you can sprinkle Podi over the idlis. For kids, you can serve with ketchup.
Notes
The Green chilis that I used were tender ones and weren't spicy at all. Please adjust to your variety.
The lentil amount I used wasn't really more in the end, so increase if you want.

This was really tasty when I sprinkled Amma's Podi over it and served.
Other dressed up Idli ideas
Recipe
Royal Idli ~ Leftover Idli delight | Step by Step Recipe
Ingredients
For the Lentil Paste
- 1 cup Toor Dal + Channa Dal (together)
- 1 long Red Chillies
- 2 long Green Chillies *tender ones
- Salt to taste
For Seasoning
- 2 tsp Oil
- 2 medium Onions
- 1/4 tsp Urad Dal
- 1/4 tsp Bengal Gram
- 1/4 Mustard Seeds
- Curry Leaves
- 1 long Red Chilli
- 2 Green Chillies
- 4 - 5 Cashewnuts
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Make Idlis the usual way. See how to make Idlis.
To make the Lentil Paste
- Soak both the dals in water for 2 hrs and drain it completely. Grind them with salt, chilies coarsely. Dals can be soaked for just 30 mins also since the paste will be fried in oil.
To make the Seasoning
- Heat oil in a pan, do seasoning and once it splutters, add finely chopped onions, curry leaves and saute well till onions brown. Then add the ground dal paste and cook till it becomes crumbly.
- Meanwhile, cut idlis into small pieces.
- Once the dal is cooked, add the cut idlis to the pan, mix well and cook for 5 mins with lid covered. Make sure you blend the idlis with the lentil mix well.
- Finally fried cashews. This is completely optional.
- For adults, you can sprinkle Podi over the idlis. For kids, you can serve with ketchup.
Notes
- The Green chilis that I used were tender ones and weren't spicy at all. Please adjust to your variety.
- The lentil amount I used wasn't really more in the end, so increase if you want.
- This was really tasty when I sprinkled Amma's Podi over it and served.



Rachu says
This is a good way to eat idlis.. love the addition of flavors
Krithi's Kitchen says
Lovely recipe.. great and diff recipe for leftover idlies
Smitha says
wow that looks so good Srivalli...nice snack it makes...
looks very tempting!
Nithya says
Left overs could be yummier and I see it here 🙂
The paste thing is something new and should be worth a try. Bookmarked 🙂
harini-jaya says
addition of toor dal and chana dal is innovative!
divya says
Nice clicks ...looks super delicious ..
Laavanya says
THat looks very tasty and balanced.
My attempt at The Julie/Julia project says
tasty and healthy.. really innovative 🙂
Now Serving says
It's like Idli-usili - Looks extremely appetizing!!!
Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal says
Love your step by step pics.
kanthi says
Love the version of mixing grinded dal mixture to the idlis..
Archana says
Tempting!