Variety Sevai (Lemon Sevai and Tamarind Sevai)

Sevai (சேவை) is nothing but idiappam (இடியாப்பம்) or string hoppers made slightly thicker than usual. Click here to find out how to make idiappam. Prepare idiappam in the same manner using a sieve that has slightly larger holes so that the strings are thicker than the usual idiappam. Alternatively you may buy MTR rice sevai and boil it in water as instructed on the pack. Either way, prepare the required quantity of plain sevai and keep aside. Varieties of sevai can be prepared with different flavors such as lemon sevai, coconut sevai, vella sevai or sweet sevai, curd sevai, and tamarind or puli sevai. Today let me share the recipes of lemon sevai and puli sevai with you.  

Ingredients for lemon sevai :

Steamed plain sevai – 2 teacups (salt is already added while making sevai)

Juice of half a lemon

Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon

Gingelly oil – 2 tablespoons

Asafoetida – a generous pinch
Green chili – 1 no, chopped

Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon

Urad dhal – ½ teaspoon

Bengal gram dhal – ½ teaspoon

Curry leaves – a few

Method: Break the home-made string hoppers into smaller pieces and keep aside. Skip this step if you are using MTR rice sevai. Heat oil in a kadai, add mustard seeds and when they start to sputter add the dhals. Fry till the dhals turn golden brown. Switch off the stove. Add asafoetida, turmeric powder, green chili and curry leaves to the seasoning. Now add sevai and lemon juice. Mix the contents gently. Lemon sevai is ready!

Ingredients for tamarind sevai:

Steamed plain sevai – 2 teacups (salt is already added while making sevai)

Gingelly oil – 2 tablespoons

Curry leaves – a few

Pulikachal (புளிகாச்சல்) or spicy tamarind paste – 1 tablespoon

Clickhere to find out how to make pulikachal or spicy tamaraind paste

Method: Break the home-made string hoppers into smaller pieces and keep aside. Skip this step if you are using MTR rice sevai. Heat oil in a kadai; add tamarind paste. Sauté for a minute or two, and then switch off the stove. Add the plain sevai and curry leaves. Gently mix the contents together. You have made puli sevai in a jiffy! 

Serve variety sevai for dinner and children would simply love this! 

Lemon sevai and Tamarind sevai

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