Rava Idli / Semolina Idli

Preparation Time : 20 mins
Serves                 : 8 Idlis

Rava Idli is one of the famous South Indian Breakfast. Traditonal Rava idli will take more time and the below prepared is the instant version. The important tip that I learnt in making this idli is that the Yoghurt should be sour enough and the batter you prepare should be thick. If you want, you can ad ENO fruit salt only before you are going to steam the idlis. I usually add Lemon flavour ENO Fruit salt and adjust the salt accordingly. In the below recipe, I did not add ENO fruit salt, but then the Idlis were good. It also serves as a great evening snack. It goes very well with Sambar and Coconut Chutney. Kids will also love this.

                    

INGREDIENTS:

Idli Rava	1 1/2 cup
Carrot	2 tbsp - Grated
Green Chillies	3 - Finely chopped
Coriander Leaves	As Required
Ginger	1" Finely chopped
Yoghurt	1 cup
Salt	To Taste

TO TEMPER:

Mustard	1/4 tsp
Urad Dal	1/4 tsp
Channa Dal	1/4 tsp
Asafoetida	a pinch
Curry Leaves	As Required
Roasted Cashew Nuts	4 - Cut into half
Gingelly Oil/Ghee	1 1/2 tbsp

STEPS:

1. In a wide pan, heat Oil/Ghee and add Mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add Urad Dal, Channa Dal, Cashews (half of the cashews) and saute till they turns golden brown. Add Asafoetida, Curry Leaves.
2. Immediately add the Rava and stir constantly for 3 minutes and remove from the flame and allow to cool.
3. In the Mean time, add Coriander Leaves, Carrot, Ginger, Green Chillies to the yoghurt and mix well. Add Rava mixture to the Yoghurt and mix well. Let it stand for atleast 15 mins.
4.  Boil water in the Idli Cooker and grease the Idli Plates with oil and Place cashew, Coriander Leaves, Carrot first and then fill with the batter so that you will get cashews, Coriander leaves and carrot at the top. If you are going to add ENO Fruit salt, you need to add at this stage and mix well. Just before filling the batter to the Idli plates. 
5. Steam for 15 mins and remove from the flame. After 5 mins, Carefully take the idlis out and serve hot with Sambar and Chutney. 

Tips:

• Make sure that you use sour yoghurt and batter consistency should be thick.
• Along with Carrot, you can use cabbage or any of your favourite vegetables also.

Idli Upma

Cooking Time : 15 mins
Serves             : 2

What to do with the left over idlis? This is a very quick and easy to make breakfast/evening time tiffin that can be made with the left over idlis. Adding idli chilli powder makes it spicy and tasty.

INGREDIENTS:
Idlis                                             6
Big Onion                                    1
Mustard                                       1/2 tsp
Black Gram                                 1 tsp
Bengal gram                                1 tsp
Curry leaves                                1 Strand
Dry Red chillies                                 5
Salt                                             To Taste
Turmeric Powder                       1/2 tsp
Idli chilli powder (Idli podi)      2 tsp


STEPS:

1. Heat oil in a kadai. Add mustard seeds and let it splutters. Add Black gram, Bengal gram and wait till it becomes light brown color. Add Red chillies and Curry leaves. Let the aroma spread the room.
2. Add chopped onions and fry till it becomes transparent. Add crumbled idlis, turmeric powder and mix well. cook for 2 mins.
3. Add Idli chilli powder and mix well. Serve hot.