Idli is a very healthy and simple to make it just a little preparation ahead. I made this idli recipe using the idli rava you get in Indian store, it is basically kind of broken rice which is bit more coarse than the upma rava. In this recipe you just need to soak and grind urad dal and no need to soak or grind the idli rava. So it's simple and healthy because it is steamed. :-)
Ingredients:
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3 cups Idli Rava
1 cup Urad dal or 1 cup Urad dal powder
Water as needed
Salt to taste
1/2 cup Mixed vegetables Frozen or fresh (I used frozen with peas, carrots, corn and beans - you can use your choice of vegetables)
1 tbsp Tomato paste (to just add little bit color and taste to the idli's)
1 tsp Oil
Method:
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1. In a bowl wash the urad dal and soak it for about 3-4 hours (if using the whole urad dal), else you need not soak if you are using the urad dal powder.
2. Grind the urad dal or powder with enough water.
3. Transfer this to a bigger bowl and add the idli rava to it and mix well, add water if needed, and bring to a consistency of idli batter.
4. Let this mixture ferment overnight or for minimum 8 hours. You can keep it in a warm place or preheat oven to 200F off the oven and keep this bowl with a lid on it.
5. Now take this idli batter and mix well again, add salt and keep it aside.
6. In the meantime, in a pan add oil and when it's hot add the mixed vegetables and tomato paste and satue it for about 5 mins and add it to the idli batter and mix well.
7. In a pressure cooker or idli cooker add enough water in the bottom, grease the idli plates and fill 3/4th with idli batter, close the lid (if using pressure cooker, no need to put the whistle) and steam it for about 15 mins.
8. Make as many as idlis you need, and serve this with your choice of chutney powder or sambar or chutney.
9. I served this idli with home made Idli Chutney Powder. (Click on the link to view the recipe for Idli Chutney Powder).
