Chettinad Masala Cheeyam | Masala Seeyam Recipe (2024)

Chettinad cuisine is known for its extreme deliciousness and this Chettinad Masala Cheeyam also known as Masala Seeyam is no exception. This is a perfect evening snack or a bite-size appetizer loaded with flavors and it will keep everyone coming back for seconds.

After a day’s break, we are here with day 3 of the A – Z challenge. When choosing recipes with the alphabet C, I started out very enthusiastic and had some tough choices. Once I was done making the list, I came to a realization that my list was too unrealistic as I had several very hard dishes.

I will come around someday and will be making those dishes on the list, but for now, I chose a very delicious snack/starter/appetizer recipe - Chettinad Masala Cheeyam.

Thanks to Nalini for directing me to her space for the recipe. The recipe was perfect and I served it with some spicy kara chutney. I love Chettinad cuisine and I have had the opportunity to make a few in past. My favorite one by far is the Chettinad Vellai Paniyaram. It was such a delicate dish that just melted in our mouths.

Yet another favorite dish that I make very often is the Chettinad Vegetable Kurma. This restaurant-style kurma is just so amazing that it takes the meal to next level.

This recipe joins my collection of Chettinad dishes and I am looking forward to opportunities to try out a few more of the wonderful cuisine.

Ingredients to make Chettinad Masala Cheeyam – (serves 4)

• Raw rice – ¾ cup (I used sona masoori)
• Idli rice – 1 tbsp
• Ullutham paruppu / Urad dal – ¾ cup
• Onion – 1 large (finely chopped)
• Green chili – 4 (finely chopped)
• Curry leaves – few
• Oil – 1 tablespoon plus more to deep fry
• Mustard seeds- 1 tsp
• Asafetida – ¼ tsp
• Salt – to taste
• Coconut – ¼ cup (grated or chopped finely)

Step by step Procedure

• Wash and soak the raw rice, idli rice, and urad dal together for about 4 hours.

• Grind them to a very smooth and thick batter. I used my wet grinder to grind the batter as it yields fluffy batter which results in fluffy seeyam. You could grind it in a blender/mixie as well, but make sure you grind it into a thick batter adding just enough water as needed. Add the salt needed and mix up the batter well.

• In the meantime, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. When the oil heats up, add the mustard seeds and let them crackle. Now add the asafetida, onions, green chili, curry leaves, and salt needed for the onion. Fry them until the onions soften a bit.

• Now add the grated/chopped coconut and give it a quick stir. Turn off the flame and let the mixture cool down a bit.

• Add this mixture to the ground batter and mix it well.

• Heat oil in a pan and gently drop a rounded handful of masala seeyam batter into hot oil for deep frying. You could add a few at a time (depending on how big your pan is). Use wet hands to scoop the batter and drop it in oil. It makes it easier to form the seeyam.

• Fry the cheeyam until they are golden brown on all sides and then remove it on a paper towel-lined dish.

• Serve the Masala Seeyam hot with Chettinad special Kara chutney!

More Snacks

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