Coconut Sevai (Idiyappam) – South Indian Breakfast Noodles

Homemade Thengai Sevai (Coconut Idiyappam) Recipe

Overview:

Thengai Sevai, also known as Coconut Idiyappam, is a traditional South Indian breakfast dish that is both light and flavorful. Made from freshly steamed rice and grated coconut, it is a perfect choice for a hearty breakfast, teatime snack, or even a simple dinner. The recipe involves steaming rice dumplings, then pressing them into noodles and tossing them with a delicious tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, ginger, roasted peanuts, and freshly grated coconut.

Ingredients:

Preparation Time: 120 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 160 minutes

Servings: 2

Cuisine: South Indian

Course: Breakfast

Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions:

Step 1: Preparing the Rice Paste

1. Soak the Rice:
   • Begin by washing the idli rice thoroughly and soaking it in water for about 2 hours. Ensure that the rice is fully immersed in water during the soaking process.
2. Grind the Rice:
   • After 2 hours, drain the rice and transfer it to a mixer or wet grinder. Grind it into a smooth paste with a semi-thick, pouring consistency. The paste should not be runny, but should flow slowly when poured.

Step 2: Steaming the Idlis

3. Prepare the Idli Steamer:

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   • Grease your idli molds and pour the prepared rice batter into the molds. Steam the batter in a steamer or idli maker for about 10 minutes to make soft, steamed rice dumplings (idlis).

4. Making the Sevai:

   • Once the rice idlis are steamed, remove them from the molds and set them aside. The idlis should be soft and slightly sticky.

5. Forming the Noodles:

   • Transfer the steamed idlis into a sevai maker (idiyappam press or sevai nazhi). While the idlis are still hot, press them one by one to form soft noodles. The pressing should be done immediately while the idlis are still warm, as they will become difficult to press when cold.
   • Continue pressing until all the idlis are turned into sevai (thin rice noodles).

6. Transfer the Sevai:

   • Place the freshly pressed sevai (idiyappam) into a large bowl. Set it aside to prepare for the next step.

Step 3: Preparing the Thengai Sevai (Coconut Flavored Rice Noodles)

7. Tempering the Ingredients:

   • Heat a kadai (or pan) and add the sesame oil. Once hot, add the mustard seeds and let them crackle.
   • Next, add the split urad dal, dry red chilies, and sauté briefly. Add the finely chopped green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, and roasted peanuts, and sauté for another few seconds until the flavors are well combined.

8. Adding Coconut and Sevai:

   • Add the freshly grated coconut to the tempering and sauté for a couple of minutes until it becomes aromatic.
   • Now, gently add the prepared sevai (idiyappam) into the pan. Stir the mixture gently to combine the coconut with the rice noodles. Make sure the sevai is well coated with the coconut and spices.

9. Adjust Seasoning:

   • Taste and adjust the salt and spice levels to suit your preference. If needed, add a pinch of salt or more green chilies for added spice.

Step 4: Serving the Dish

10. Serving:
    • Serve the Thengai Sevai hot for breakfast, as a teatime snack, or even for dinner. This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of Coconut Chutney or Mor Kuzhambu (spiced yogurt gravy).

Tips for Perfect Thengai Sevai:

• Rice Consistency: Ensure that the ground rice batter is neither too thick nor too runny. A smooth, semi-thick batter yields the best idlis, which in turn makes soft, flavorful sevai.

• Freshness of Idlis: It’s important to press the idlis while they are still hot. Once the idlis cool down, the texture becomes firm, and they won’t press easily into noodles.

• Adjusting the Spice Level: You can always add more or fewer green chilies based on your spice tolerance. Additionally, feel free to add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavor if desired.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve Thengai Sevai with Coconut Chutney, Mor Kuzhambu, or even a tangy Tomato Chutney for an extra burst of flavor.
• You can also serve it alongside sambar or enjoy it as a standalone dish for breakfast or dinner.

This dish captures the essence of South Indian breakfast comfort food, combining the richness of coconut with the subtle flavors of tempered spices. It’s simple, nutritious, and highly customizable to suit your preferences. Enjoy this delightful recipe as a part of your regular meal rotation, and savor the traditional flavors of Tamil Nadu!