Ingredients
- For frying and roasting:
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 7–8 cashews, halved
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon chana dal
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 10 curry leaves, chopped
- 1 pinch asafoetida (optional)
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger
- 1 green chilli, finely chopped
- For the batter:
- 1 cup rava (fine semolina/sooji) (175 g)
- 1/2 cup curd
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup water (as needed)
- 2 tablespoons finely grated carrots (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon eno fruit salt or 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- For greasing:
- Oil or ghee for idli moulds
Instructions
- Heat ghee in a pan on low to medium heat and fry cashews until golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add chana dal and fry until golden.
- Add cumin seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida, ginger, and green chilli. Sauté until aromatic.
- Add rava and roast for 5–7 minutes until it smells nutty but does not brown. Let it cool slightly.
- Add carrots, coriander, and salt. Mix in curd and water to form a medium-thick batter.
- Cover and let the batter rest for 20 minutes.
- Grease idli moulds and place a fried cashew in each cavity. Heat water in a steamer.
- Adjust batter consistency if needed, then add eno or baking soda and mix quickly.
- Pour batter into moulds and steam for 10–12 minutes until cooked through.
- Rest for a few minutes, then remove and serve hot.
Notes
- Roast rava well to prevent stickiness.
- Add eno just before steaming for best fluffiness.
- Adjust water to maintain medium batter consistency.
- Use fine rava for softer texture.
- Do not overmix after adding eno.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat by steaming or lightly microwaving with a sprinkle of water.
- Batter can be made ahead but add leavening only before cooking.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Steamed
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 idlis
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
