Rava Idly

2008 March 9

Everyday food ~ Rava Idly

RavaIdlyIng
Vegetables for rava idly

The idli or idly, is a savory dish popular throughout southern India. They are round in shape and are made by steaming a batter consisting of fermented lentils and rice. The variation of rava idly comes from using semolina and it is a much healthier version because it is made from wheat and/or vegetables. Most often rava idly’s are eaten at breakfast or evening tiffin, served with chutney or other accompaniments. Steamed and made with rava and vegetables – what could be more tastier and healthier? I doubt it. They are so easy to make than regular plain idly’s because plain one’s need soaking, fermenting and grinding before cooking them. But these humble rava one’s make use of basic pantry ingredients and takes very less time before it is ready to be served on the table.

Recipe: (Makes about 12 idly’s)
2 cups of rava
2 small aloo finely chopped
1 carrot finely chopped
peas (optional)
1 tsp finely minced or grated ginger
1/2 cup dahi
2 tsp rye (mustard seeds)
2 tsp urad dal
2 tsp channa dal
some dhania finely chopped
1 green chili finely chopped
salt to taste
Oil

Use a couple of tbsp of oil to the rava and mix well. When you take a handful of the mixture in your hand and squeeze them, you should be able to hold the shape of the rava some what. If not, add a little bit more oil. This makes the idly’s come out soft. Keep it aside for about 10 -15 minutes. Add some water to the dahi and make it a butter milk. Heat 1 tbsp oil and add rye, let it splutter. Then add the urad dal, channa dal and until the color turns golden brown. Add this to the rava mixture. Add all the vegetables, ginger, chili and dahi as well and mix it well to get a little thicker than a pouring consistency.

RavaIdlyBatter
Batter for rava idly

Pour into idli plates and steam it for about 15 – 20 minutes until cooked. Serve hot with coconut chutney or savor as is.

Rava-Idly
Rava Idly

27 Responses leave one →
  1. 2008 March 9

    How good does that look! Makes me want to have one! and I don’t even like idlis. :-)

  2. 2008 March 9

    wow!looks great…nice presentation

  3. 2008 March 9

    Nice combo of veggies! Never heard of adding potato in idlis! So innovative.

  4. 2008 March 10

    Very innovative, Priya. Looks delicious and healthy!

  5. 2008 March 11

    Nice idea…have never tried the usual rava idli with veggies

  6. 2008 March 12

    U have been tagged…visit my blog for details

  7. 2008 March 12

    first time at your place.. your idlies and really healthy and mouth watering… will surely give it a try!

  8. 2008 May 15

    Priya I tried this one on tuesday for dinner and it came out very well. I didn’t write it immediately because I thought you were on a vacation. I have taken the pictures also and I’ll post it in my blog shortly.

  9. 2008 May 19

    Great looking idlis, looks very soft!:))

  10. 2008 May 19

    Priya I have posted about my experience with the rava idly in my blog yesterday. Thanks for the recipe.

  11. 2008 July 21

    Your rava idly looks great. Photographs are really wonderful. Excellent photos.

  12. 2008 September 18
    bhuvana permalink

    Hay nice recipe ya!!!!!!!Definetely i will teied in my home.Today i had learnt a nice recipe. Thanks for your tips and recipes.

    _________________________
    bhuvana

    Blaze Infotech

  13. 2009 March 17

    Hi ladies,
    I love Indian cooking. Spent lots of time in India years ago and brought back a cookbook.
    Sometimes I don’t know know what some expressions mean. Like, Rava. What is it? What is a American equivalent?
    Please advise
    Katalin

    • 2009 March 18
      365DaysVeg permalink

      Katalin,

      Thanks for checking out the recipes and I am happy to know about your stay in India. Sooji or Rava or Rawa means Semolina. It is also called as cream of wheat. I hope this helps. I usually add the translations in my “Terminology” section but somehow missed this one. Thanks for letting me know.

      Thanks.

  14. 2009 May 27
    Riya permalink

    Tried ur recipe today.Came out well.But does roasted/unroasted rava makes difference with consistency of the batter? I used roasted rava and some of the ildis didnt stick together that well.

  15. 2009 May 27
    Riya permalink

    But I should mention that my hubby loved it who very rarely criticizes.Ha ha.So I showed ur Idli photos and said that is the benchmark for comparison!! :-) )

    • 2009 May 27
      365DaysVeg permalink

      Riya, Thanks so much for checking out the recipe and even giving it a try! I am glad your hubby loved it and I hope you did too. Well, usually toasting the rava a little does make a difference in it’s consistency. The same goes true while making pulao. Toast the rice with vegetables before adding water. It makes huge difference.
      Hope this helps.
      Take care.

  16. 2009 May 27
    Riya permalink

    Thanks for ur quick reply.Will try to include ur tips next time.Btw, all ur photographs are awesome.Ur photos does give me the drive to try ur recipes.Keep up the great work.Cheers!!

  17. 2009 June 16

    I love rava idlis; adding carrots, peas and potatoes to the batter is a wonderful idea :)

  18. 2009 July 26
    Deepa permalink

    Hey,

    Thank you for posting such tasty and simple recipes..It really helps people like me who are new to cooking..I tried Rava Idly other day..It turned out good…But my only concern was it didnt fluff up like rice idly..Is it normal??..Coz the taste was good and idly was soft …Should i fry the rava next time??

    Regards
    Deepa

    • 2009 July 26
      365DaysVeg permalink

      Deepa, Thanks so much for checking out the recipe and even giving it a try! usually with the above recipe the idli will not fluff but it will be soft as you said. But you can try adding a little bit of Eno ( 1/2 – 1 tsp depending on the amount of batter) and then try. This may fluff the idly a little. Because we do not ferment or add yeast like idli batter, fluffiness does not come, but try adding eno and see.

      Hope this helps. take care.

      • 2009 July 27
        Deepa permalink

        Hey ,

        Thanks for such prompt reply.Ya i know about Eno.As i am pregnant i didn’t want to use soda.So yours was the only site where i found the recipe without using Eno.
        Thats why i liked it.Anyways thanks for your help.As long as the Idly tastes good and is soft i dont mind much about the fluffy part.
        The other day i tried your Lauki Recipe..It turned out awesome.Thanks for posting such wonderful and easy recipes.I do have a suggestion.Can you post some Soup and Juice recipes.Specially for pregnancy..Its just a request.

        Thanks and regards
        Deepa A

      • 2009 July 27
        365DaysVeg permalink

        Deepa, I will surely try to add soups/juice recipes. I am going to add a cake recipe soon and after that I promise to add your request. I know in pregnancy juice and soups are very good for the health and in general too. I just delivered a baby and he is 6 & 1/2 months old.. Life is super busy yet very very rewarding. Enjoy your pregnancy and I wish you the very best.

      • 2009 July 28
        Deepa permalink

        Thanks dear..Cake recipe.Now that sound awesome..Waiting for that.Till then i will keep trying the recipes that are available.
        Congrats to you too Priya.I know it would be really difficult for you to get time.Still you are doing such a good job.

        Thanks and Regards
        Deepa A

  19. 2009 July 29
    Fanny Ashwin permalink

    very nice recipe, i love rava idly

  20. 2009 October 21
    madhvi permalink

    hey thanks a tone for this delicious rava idli i really like it a lot

    • 2009 October 22
      365DaysVeg permalink

      Thanks so much Madhvi. Glad you like it a lot.

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