Fluffy steamed savoury cakes with vegetables

These idlies are lots of fun to make. It is packed with vegetables and yogurt. It is a fun meal to prepare with children.

You need...

1 1/2 tbsp oil

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

1/4 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp curry leaves chopped

1/2 tsp grated ginger optional

1 cup semolina

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup yogurt whipped

2 tbsp coriander leaves chopped

1/2 cup water

vegetables 2 tbsp carrots, 2 tbsp zucchini grated

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp lime juice

2 cups of water for the idly pan

1 tbsp oil to apply on idly moulds

Heat oil, add mustard seeds then add cumin seeds. Add the curry leaves and grated ginger if using. Add semolina. Stir and roast the semolina until it becomes a light golden colour and you can smell the aroma. Remove from heat, transfer into a bowl and add salt.

When the semolina becomes a little cool add the whipped yogurt and mix. Add water little at a time and make a smooth batter. Leave aside for about 10 minutes covered. 

Add the grated vegetables to the mixture. The batter should be thick and have a pourable consistency, don't add too much water. Usually semolina absorbs water so you might have to add a little more than 1/2 cup of water.

To steam the savoury cakes prepare the idly pan, heat a pan that will fit the idly mould with 2 cups of water in medium high heat. The pan should fit the idly stand and the water on the bottom of the pan should not touch the mould, so adjust the water accordingly. You will need a tight fitting lid with a hole for steam to escape to cover the pan while it is steaming. Oil the idly moulds using a pastry brush.

While the water is coming to a boil add the baking soda and lime juice into the batter and quickly mix, you will see the mixture fizz. Instead of using baking soda and lime juice you can use 1 tsp of Eno salt, available in Indian stores. 

Once the eno salt is added the batter should be steamed right away. Quickly put a tbsp of mixture into each oiled mould, don't put too much on each mould as it will expand when it steams.

When the water boils carefully put the idly stand (if you don't have an idly pan see below) and cover with the tight lid and steam on medium high heat for 7 to 9 minutes. Insert a skewer in the middle and if it comes out clean it is done. Off the heat and leave it for 2 minutes.

Carefully take the idly stand out of the pan, be cautious as it is hot and steam will escape. Using a spatula or spoon slide the idlies out of the mould. If it is steamed for a long time idlies will become hard.

This recipe makes 16 idlies. Serve the hot idlies with chutneys, sambar, dal or gravy.

Recipe is from torviewtoronto.

If you don't own an idly pan try making it in a cake pan and steaming. When steaming the water should touche only the bottom of the pan. Cover with a lid that has a hole in it. Put only about 1" high mixture to steam in the cake pan.

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