Rava Idli, Steam Dumplings
Ingredients
For the batter
- 1 cup coarse sooji semolina
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 green chili finely choppes
- 1 tsp ginger finely grated
- 1 tbsp cilantro finely chopped hara dhania
- 1/4 cup cabbage finely chopped
- 1/2 cup yogurt dahi, curd
- 1 cup water, use as needed
- 1 tsp ENO fruit salt
Seasoning
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1/4 tsp mustard seeds rai
- 1/4 tsp cumin seeds jeera
- 2 2 green chilies sliced lengthwise and cut in half.
Utensils for Steaming Idlis
Idli stand - this has three to four plates stacked over each other.
Covered pot, large enough to hold the idli stand.
Alternatively, an egg poacher can work just as well,
Instructions
- Mix sooji, salt, green chili, ginger, cilantro, cabbage, yogurt, and water (as needed) to make a pancake-like batter. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
- The batter thickens as the semolina absorbs the water. At this point, add a little more water if it is too thick.
- Add approximately ¾ cup of water to the pot. Check to make sure that the water does not touch the bottom plate of the idli stand. Bring to boil
- Lightly grease Idli plates with oil.
- Add Eno Fruit Salt to the batter and mix well. The mixture will begin foaming. Immediately begin pouring into the Idli trays. Place the stand into the steaming pot.
- Cover the pot and steam the idlis ten to twelve minutes on medium heat. Insert a toothpick in the center of one idli. If the toothpick comes out clean, remove the stand from the pot. Do not overcook the idlis, as they will lose their softness and dry out as they cool.
- Cool for just a few minutes before removing each individual idli. They should come out easily and not stick to the mould. The idlis should be spongy and soft.
For The Seasoning
- Heat oil in a saucepan. Add mustard and cumin seeds. When the seeds begin to crack, add the chilies. Stir for a few seconds and remove from the heat.Pour the seasoning over the Idlis on the serving plate.
Notes
Introduction to Rava Idli Recipe
Rava Idli is a popular South Indian dish known for its simplicity and delicious taste. Rava Idli is a fantastic option for a quick & easy appetizer or snack, and it also makes for a convenient lunch box suggestion. Rava idli recipe is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Made from idli rava, a type of semolina, this dish is easy to prepare and requires minimal ingredients.
Idli rava is coarser in texture compared to regular semolina, giving the idlis a unique taste and texture. In this rava idli recipe, we will explore the process of making rava idli and various tips, variations, and benefits associated with it.
Making Rava Idli: Step-by-Step Guide
Preparation of Batter
- To begin rava idli preparation, start by heating a tablespoon of oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter. Then, add finely chopped green chilies, grated ginger, and curry leaves for added flavor. Sauté for a few minutes until the raw aroma disappears. Incorporating these spices enhances the taste of rava idli.
Roasting Idli Rava
- Next, add idli rava to the pan and roast it for a few minutes until it turns aromatic and light golden brown. Roasting the idli rava adds a nutty flavor to the dish and ensures that the idlis are soft and fluffy.
Preparing the Batter
- Transfer the roasted idli rava to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly. Then, add yogurt and water to the roasted rava and mix well to form a thick batter. Allow the batter to rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the idli rava to absorb the moisture. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture in rava idli.
Seasoning the Batter
- Meanwhile, prepare the seasoning by heating oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, and cashew nuts, and fry until the dal turns golden brown and the nuts are lightly roasted. Pour this seasoning over the rava idli batter and mix well. Seasoning adds a depth of flavor to the rava idli and makes it more aromatic.
Adding Baking Soda
- Just before steaming the idlis, add baking soda to the batter and mix gently. Baking soda acts as a leavening agent and helps in making the idlis soft and fluffy. However, it’s important not to overmix the batter at this stage to ensure that the idlis remain airy and light.
Steaming the Idlis
- Grease the idli molds with oil and pour the batter into each mold. Place the molds in a steamer and steam the idlis for 10-12 minutes or until they are cooked through. Insert a toothpick into the center of an idli to check for doneness. If it comes out clean, the idlis are ready to be served.
Tips for Perfect Rava Idlis
- Use fresh idli rava for the best results. Stale or old rava may result in dense and hard idlis.
- Adjust the consistency of the batter by adding more water if it’s too thick or yogurt if it’s too thin.
- For enhanced flavor, you can add grated vegetables like carrots, peas, or capsicum to the batter.
- Serve rava idli hot with coconut chutney or sambar for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Variations of Rava Idli
- Vegetable Rava Idli: Add finely chopped vegetables like carrots, peas, and bell peppers to the batter for a nutritious twist.
- Spicy Rava Idli: Increase the quantity of green chilies and add finely chopped coriander leaves for a spicier version of rava idli.
- Paneer Rava Idli: Grate paneer and mix it into the batter along with some chopped mint leaves for a rich and flavorful variation.
- Masala Rava Idli: Add a teaspoon of garam masala powder to the batter along with some tomatoes for a masaledar twist.
Benefits of Rava Idli
- Nutritious: Rava idli is a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and essential nutrients, making it a wholesome meal option.
- Easy to Digest: Since idli rava is made from semolina, it’s easy to digest and is suitable for people of all ages.
- Quick and Easy: Unlike traditional idlis, which require fermentation, rava idli can be prepared instantly, making it a convenient option for busy days.
- Versatile: You can customize rava idli with different toppings and seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
FAQs about Rava Idli
Can I use regular semolina instead of idli rava?
- While you can use regular semolina to make idlis, the texture and taste may vary slightly from traditional rava idli. Idli rava is coarser and gives a unique texture to the idlis.
How long should I steam the idlis?
- Steam the idlis for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Over-steaming may result in dry and rubbery idlis.
Can I make rava idli without baking soda?
- Baking soda helps in making the idlis soft and fluffy. However, if you prefer not to use it, you can substitute it with a pinch of fruit salt or eno.
For more delicious recipes, you can explore other recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen.
Explore more mouthwatering recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen: Paneer Tikka Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Aloo Paratha, Mango Lassi, Palak Paneer
ANTARA ROY
August 27, 2018 at 11:18 pmMam, I will try this in Janmashtami. Thank you for giving us such a wonderful article and as well as dish. Thank you.
Vani Madgal
October 1, 2017 at 10:20 amHello Manjula,
It has been a long time since I made this Rava Idli. So today I made this again. I added the seasoning – mustard seeds, cashews, some urad & chana dal while adding green chillies & cilantro to the rava. I Love adding ENO at the end. Made 16 idlies out of the batter. We loved it!
Manjula Jain
October 5, 2017 at 11:08 amVani, sounds really good, it is always good to make changes in recipes for you taste
pawan kumar
August 19, 2017 at 4:50 amdelicious taste i love idli and it is best food for the people suffering from high cholesterol
narain karthikeyan
June 29, 2017 at 6:51 amthank you for help me in cooking
mamta balani
April 20, 2017 at 10:55 amMy family loves to have rava idli twice a week. I use to make it in a simple way but yours is nice. I will try yours.
pythagorean diet
May 22, 2016 at 6:40 pmΝιce but please do more VEGAN recipes…!!!
it’s hard to find soy yogurt where i live…
Thanks.
Rava idli recipe
August 16, 2015 at 11:49 pmThanks for this recipes.Last night i tried it it came very yummy and delicious everybody like in my home your recipes.Thanks for sharing this recipes
anu
August 4, 2015 at 11:07 amHi Manjula,my friend uses the soda water in place of emo & water.& her idlis r quite spongy.Do u recommend this !!
Manjula Jain
August 5, 2015 at 9:32 pmAnu I have never tried and don’t know any one, but try I think it should work
Nilanthi Alahakoon
June 2, 2015 at 11:23 pmI want to try this recipe. Not sure whether ENO is available in Sri Lanka. Is it an absolute must have in this recipe? Can I use a substitute? Also, when cold does the idlis become hard?
pixie
July 15, 2015 at 2:37 amUse baking soda. Eno contains nothing else.
Padmini Naidu
January 14, 2014 at 3:17 amVery good
mohammad
May 22, 2016 at 12:22 amVery very good thanks
Amita
July 17, 2012 at 5:42 amThank you .. this recipe is wonderful .
Anshu -chinese idli
May 1, 2012 at 3:35 amHi,
Wonderful recipe. Thanks for sharing it!! The idlis look very soft and fluffy.
Have you ever tried making idlis in chinese style?
If not, and interested in the recipe, visit my blog. You can make idlis the way you make and for the chinese punch, explore my recipe. Hope you like it.
shivangi
April 25, 2012 at 2:27 pmHello Aunty ,
Aunty i don’t have eno powder and i am not finding it in indian store , can i use something else.
Rajdeep Kaur
April 24, 2012 at 4:27 amHi Manjula Aunty,
You made it very easy, as i was always thinking i cant make idlies. I’ll surely try now…
Can i use the normal big pot and cover it or there is a special type of pot comes for Idlies?
Thanks
sushila
February 17, 2012 at 12:13 amFor Rava Idli which sooji is to be used. Wheat sooji or Rice Sooji. Kindly clarify. I visit you web site frequently.
Manjula Jain
February 17, 2012 at 12:32 amSushila,
Use wheat sooji.
Vani
November 22, 2011 at 8:01 amI combined both the recipes given by Ms. Anna and Ms. Manjula. I followed the method given by Anna. I followed Madame Manjula’s method by adding ENO fruit salt. I don’t know the difference between Soda-bi-Carb and ENO. The idli’s were fluffier when I used ENO. The first time I made I added a pinch of Soda-bi-carb. The idlis were great but not fluffy as I would have liked it to be.
So I have tried both your recipes. They are great! Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
Love,
Vani
Dilip
December 1, 2011 at 4:09 amTo get spongy, fluffy idlis or dhoklas what you need is effervescence i.e. formation of Carbon-dioxide in the mixture. The most effective way of getting this is using a mixture of acid and alkali which on contact with water forms carbon dioxide. Eno fruit salt does the same. Soda bi-carb on its own does not produce effervescence, so you need to combine it with an acid. Mixing it with curd does produce some effervescence but not too much, also as manjula says you need to add it just before steaming else the effervescence doesnt last. If you do not get Eno fruit salt at your place, I suggest that you do the following. Get citric acid powder – this is in crystalline form (similar to salt) and white in colour. You should find this in any Asian stores. Mix half teaspoon of citric acid and soda-bicarb, and add it to the mixture just before steaming.
To see effervescance in action – mix half teaspoon of citric acid and soda-bicarb and put it into a glass of water 🙂
Vani
December 2, 2011 at 7:49 amThank you so much, Dilip. I have made a note of your message. Chemistry is a good thing 🙂
Vani
Liane
September 20, 2011 at 4:34 amWow Anna! Great recipe. I’m married to someone from India a’s well and appreciate that you took the time to share this recipe.
Thanks so much – I’ll definitely try this!
anna
September 21, 2011 at 7:19 amThank You ,Liane!For us,foreigners,it takes several times to try to prepare each dish until we perfect it.There are several types of sooji,2-3 variete of green chillies(some of them more pungent,some less),and the same about dry red chillies.In the beginning it was total confusion for me.As times pass,You too will master the cooking of Indian dishes.Good luck to You,Liane!
anna
September 19, 2011 at 11:18 amI am Russian, married to Indian & living in South India for several years now. I LEARNT FROM My M-I-L how to cook a very good ”Rava idli”.
(1) Chop finely 3-4 green chillies,handfull of curry leaves, 1” of ginger,(i.e. 1/2 tbsp of ginger)
(2) Take in a heavy bottomed casserole 1 tbsp of oil, when hot -add 1 tsp of mustard seeds,when they start spluttering – add pinch of asafoetida, 2 tbsp of channa dall (i.e. bengal gram),1 tbsp broken cashewnuts,chopped green chillies,chopped curry leaves & ginger. Fry another 1-2 minutes(.Be carefull not to burn the ingridients ,which you are frying, just add everything one by one without any delay & continuesly stirring)Add 2 cups of coarse semolina ,continuesly stirring( another 2-3 minutes) or until aroma of roasted semolina comes out.Immediately switch off the stove & let the mixture cool down to room temperature.
(3) When cool, add a pinch of soda bicarb, 1.5 cup of water+1.5 cup of curds, 1 tsp of salt ,chopped fresh coriander leaves & 1 grated carrot.(You can add green peas also).Let this mixture stand for at least 10-15 mins.
(4)Smear slightly your idli case with ghee, pour mixture with laddle or spoon into idli cases & steam for 7-10 mins. It makes 20-22 idlis
NOTE:
(1) Curds & soda bicarb is necessary to add to get the soft,fluffy idlis
(2) Curds & water should be of room temperature
(3) After adding curds,water & other ingredients , mixture should stand for some time ,so that semolina should absorb the moisture and the mixture ferments.
(4) Add extra water, if needed to get desired consistency of idli batter.
(5) Salt, green chillies should be added according to taste.
Ravina
September 8, 2016 at 2:56 amHi anna, I tried your recipe after work today and the idlis turned out really well. Everyone in my family enjoyed. Thank you so much.
Gina
September 17, 2011 at 1:58 pmAunty, can you please make idli using rice and dal. I have seen idli recipes on other web sites, but I like the way you explain, and your style of cooking.
Manjula Jain
September 18, 2011 at 9:50 amGina,
In my list to do.
Rashi
July 3, 2011 at 3:41 pmHi all!!!
i tried the recipe, but with some modifications, i added rapid yeast in place of ENO, I did a mistake i dint give the standing time to the batter so the IDLIS din rise properly. But something came in my mind(what soemtimes my mother used to do with the earlier days remaining IDLIS). I cut them into pieces & fried them with the seasoning mentioned above.
As we do wid the chat stuff, similarly I decorated the pieces in a plate & poured coconut chutney on them. My husband liked it very much…
thanks for recipe
Rashi
Manisha
June 21, 2011 at 3:53 amHello aunty
Shall i use soda instead of ENO?
Rupal Desai
June 15, 2011 at 7:43 pmHello manjula mam,
I made Rava idli as per ur intructions, but thos were not soft and pluffy. May be the whether was cool thats why. pls explain what went wrong
Manisha
July 11, 2011 at 2:15 pmIt mite be because the batter lacked enuf water. or they mite be over cooked . I tried Rava Idli in Microwave for 2 minutes and they came out to be hard. Now i put them for 1.30 min and they are perfect 🙂
Manju Sudan
May 28, 2011 at 4:18 amHi Manjula,
I tried this recipe today. Idli came out quite well. But it was sticking to teeth. Can you tell what can be the reason?
Manjula Jain
May 29, 2011 at 9:18 amManju,
May be you needed to cook little longer.
Avitha
April 16, 2011 at 12:13 pmHi
Although this recipe is so simple, my idlis aways come out soggy and raw. I steam them for quite a long time, but it never comes out spongy. Please tell me why this is so.
Thanks
avithaa
Deepa
April 5, 2011 at 10:08 amHi Manjula,
I like this recipe and wanted to share what I do with rava idli. I also add 1 cup of oat flour (roasted and powdered old fashioned oats) for 1 cup of rava and add grated carrots and chopped onions too. I don’t add eno with this recipe and it comes out quite good.
vinita
April 5, 2011 at 10:01 amhello manjula aunty..plz upload the recipe of sambhar
JC
March 18, 2011 at 7:38 pmHi Manjula,
I all the other recipes I’ve read online ENO is added with all the other ingredients and then the batter is left for fermentation. Why not in your recipe?
sunny
March 12, 2011 at 9:35 pmHi Manjula,
In this Rava Idli (Semolina Dumpling), I guess, fermentation process is totally avoided. That is a good short cut in busy schedule.
Now my question is about fruit salt – what is it – ENO?
Pl give us more information such as what is its source?
I have never heard of ENO. You can definitely pl tell about it.
Ronak
March 16, 2011 at 10:18 pmEno is an Antacid used for acidity….. its in powder form available at all groceries and medical stores…… just ask for fruit salt flavor the other one is lemon flavor…..
shalaka
January 29, 2011 at 9:00 pmHello Manjulaji,
Does coarse semolina (moti sooji) and dalia mean the same?
Regards,
Shalaka
Manjula Jain
January 29, 2011 at 10:53 pmShalaka,
Moti sooji and dalia are two different thing. Dalia is broken wheat.
deep
January 24, 2011 at 2:14 amHI !
instead of ENO can we use cooking soda
Manjula Jain
January 24, 2011 at 10:33 amDeep,
For me cooking soda did not work good.
inova
January 16, 2011 at 3:37 pmThis is not the traditional rava idli recipe from south india.
I make rava idlis once in a week. they are fluffy and tastes great.
this recipe sounds okay. but very lengthy and time consuming.
the way i do. dry roast rava and set aside. heat some oil ,add mustard, green chillies,hing,curry leaves, cashews, add roasted rava too. then transfer it to a bowl, add, shredded carrots,green peas,and green beans, chopped finely.,with coriander leaves,and salt, mix them fully with slightly sour yogurt ,make it to a medium thickness batter, add ENO salt and immediately pour into idli plates. steam for 10mins. try this method..it tastes heavenly and takes maximum 20 minutes. If you add 3-4 table spoons of oil for 1 cup of rava, while doing the seasoning, its super spongy.
Kamala
March 25, 2011 at 5:58 amTried this recipe today. Too good. Thanks a lot for your input. Keep it coming. Now, I have one more quick dish to prepare.
Reema
January 16, 2011 at 6:48 amHello Manjula,
I love to make rava idlis. Can we bake it in oven? I don´t have idli stand.
Pls reply.
Jaya
January 16, 2011 at 4:56 pmReema, idlis must be steamed. Baking then will turn then hard and dry. Most Indian grocery stores carry idli steamers.
Chaitanya
January 15, 2011 at 10:37 amThanks this is a wonderful recipe … quick and fast … your idies are very awesome
Jaya
January 13, 2011 at 3:59 pmI made this toady and here are my thoughts:
1) In order to be able to immediately start steaming the idlis as soon as the ENO is added, you must plan ahead and start boiling the water for steaming ahead of time so that it is already boiling when the 30 minutes on timing the batter is done.
2) I used a combination of shredded carrots and zucchini instead of cabbage, which turned out well. It’s also very colorful.
3) The idlis are a little sticky when done. Instead of pouring the hot oil and spices OVER the idlis, I made the “tarka”(seasoning) in a large wok and lightly fried the idlis with the oil for about one minute. That removed the stickiness from the outside.
4) I served the idlis with coconut chutney (Deep brand from the Indian grocery store) and homemade sambhar (South Indian style lentil soup).
Cooking Passion
January 12, 2011 at 12:38 pmThis is not the typical south indian rava idly. Adding eno and cabbage and doing tadka over the idlis are modifications but I think the recipe should be good and taste like Dhokla.
Rajeev
January 9, 2011 at 1:58 pmHi Aunty,
I tried this recipe yesterday, but the idlis became a bit hard.Can you let me know how to avoid it.
Jaya
January 9, 2011 at 6:03 pmRajeev, most likely you over cooked them. You need to remove them from the steamer while they are still soft, but not mushy. That’s the most common cause assuming you made the batter correctly.
Sonia
April 7, 2011 at 3:09 pmHi Jaya,
I tried these idlis. they were soft but the upper layer was soggy. I dont have a idli maker. But i have a idli stand and i used it in a pressure cooker.
Can you please help…
Thanks a lot
Sonia
Neela
January 9, 2011 at 12:30 pmIdlis were delicious – thank you Manula Aunty. Please make samber next to eat with Idlis.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Suha
January 9, 2011 at 11:29 amhello aunty,
i love rava idli and its one of the easiest n fast to make dishes. However i hv seen dat my mom, granma n all in my family first fry the ravai/semolina lightly before making the mixture. I dont know wat difference it makes dat way. but dats how we hv always had it at home.
Love ur recipes and easy to cook style dishes.
Cheers!
Rajeev
January 9, 2011 at 1:51 amHi Aunty,
Thanks for the recipe.I tried it today but it became a bit hard.Can you please let me know how to correct it?
Thanks,Rajeev
Ashu
January 7, 2011 at 4:46 pmI am sorry- its baking soda and lime juice and NOT baking powder. My bad:P
Jaya
January 7, 2011 at 12:34 pmAunty, there is a typing error in the written recipe. It says “cores” semolina. It should be “coarse”. Hopefully your webmaster will correct it for you. Thanks.
Manjula Jain
January 7, 2011 at 1:32 pmJaya,
Thank you, I made the change.
Rakhi
January 7, 2011 at 11:55 amI have been making sooji idlis for about 5 years now..But,the delicious twist of adding cabbage and other things really adds flavor to them..
Thanks
Rita
January 7, 2011 at 10:39 amThanks for this recipe dear Aunty you are a mind reader blessed me with mung dal halwa recipe which I was wishing for last month and this one which has been on my wishlist since last few days. I am sure it will turn out perfect like all your previous recipe.
Keep sharing the gift of God which is Suswadu Bhojan with everyone.
Wish you and your family happy 2011 also lots of love and sunshine!!
Arathi
January 7, 2011 at 10:13 amThis is very easy and delicious dish. We can also add shredded Carrots to this. This receipe was first found out by M.T.R. (Bangalore) for Military soldiers during War.
Usha
January 6, 2011 at 11:00 pmKindly let me know the alternative for ENO salt as it is not available where we stay.
Anonymous
January 6, 2011 at 12:07 pmHello Manjula,
What is a good substitute if you don’t have ENO. Would combination of baking soda and lime juice work in this recipe or just the baking soda? Please advise since getting ENO is hard sometimes where I live.
Thank You.
Manjula Jain
January 6, 2011 at 1:59 pmAnonymous,
Thank you for suggestion.
Dimpi
January 6, 2011 at 7:35 amThanks Manjula Aunty, Another yummy and quick recipe.
Hari Chandana
January 5, 2011 at 9:24 pmYummy and delicious recipe.. 🙂
Ashu
January 7, 2011 at 4:43 pmAdd baking powder plus lime juice is a good substitute for ENO. Hope this helps!
Aunty, thanks for the yummy recipe!