Instant Semolina Idli/ Rava Idli

EVENT: FOOD BLOGGERS RECIPE SWAP
THEME: JANUARY 2019 SWAP
RECIPE: INSTANT SEMOLINA IDLI/ RAVA IDLI
Instant Semolina Idli/ Rava Idli is a soft, fluffy and moist steamed breakfast or snack option. Healthy, filling and nutritious, it is so easy to make semolina, rava or sooji idli. Add vegetables of your choice. Can also add a bit of turmeric powder to make yellow idlis. Have a sudden craving for idli and cannot wait for the batter to ferment. Then the best option is to try out this instant semolina idli/ rava idli.
Food Bloggers Recipe Swap Group
After a long lull, the gentle storm has come back. Food Bloggers Recipe Swap has been revived by fellow blogger Mireille who blogs at The Schizo Chef. Her blog has taken on a new avatar and is called Global Kitchen Travels. Mireille’s blog is truly like a virtual world tour through food from different countries. I’m actually so intrigued that one can make a cake from fresh cassava. I want to try out Mireille’s Bojo recipe. It’s a Suriname Style Gluten free Cassava Cake.
My Partner
Mireille decided that instead of just having the partners cook from each others blog, she mixed us all up. For example though I have to cook a recipe from Renu’s blog, Cook With Renu, she cooks from someone else’s.
Actually I’ve been partners with Renu before and had learnt to make bajra idli from her blog. Incidentally, bajra Idli is a big hit with my friends and family. If I’m inviting them home for a meal they want me to make the idlis. In fact this time round I wanted to try Zhingyalov Hats, but had to shelve the idea as I didn’t get fresh herbs. Instead I settled for her Instant Carrot Semolina Idli Recipe.
Instant Semolina Idli/ Rava Idli
The reasons for making these idlis were, one I wanted to make some travel food and secondly though I simply love rava idli, I had not tried making them at home. Her recipe just attracted me to try and I’m so glad that I did. Simple, easy and so delicious. The other charming thing about this recipe is that one can add any vegetables to the idli batter. I tweaked her recipe a bit by also adding some boiled peas. It took me hardly 20 minutes to make them. As I made them to enjoy them on our first train journey on the new SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi, I didn’t make any sambhar. Take it from me the cold idlis with the chutney just tasted awesome. A hearty breakfast on the the train.
Do check out the other delicious recipes from this month’s Recipe Swap!
Recipe Swap Recipes
- Kerala Curried Rice by Priya
- Cantaloupe Carrot Beet Smoothie by Jayashree
- Pumpkin Chia Popsicles by Seema
- Green Apple Mocktail Martini by Jagruti
- Double Bean Sriracha Hummus by Rafeeda
- Homemade Rice Flour by Sasmita
- Vegan Pumpkin Falafel by Lathiya
- Instant Ragi Idli by Renu
- Blueberry Cardamom Lemon Muffins by Ali
- Chocolate Bread by Nayna
- Fresh Chickpea Salad – Hara Chana Chaat by Archana
- Garlic Chutney Powder by Sandhya
- Githeri – Kenyan Vegetable Bean Stew by Mireille
Ingredients Required For Instant Semolina Idli/ Rava Idli
- Semolina – rava, rawa, sooji. Best to use the medium grain one and not the fine semolina.
- Green Chillis – finely chopped. If making for kids then add chilli paste.
- Fresh Ginger – grated
- Carrot – grated
- Peas – boiled or steamed
- Plain Yogurt – dahi, thick and not watery. Best to use yogurt that is a bit sour.
- Water – tap or bottled water
- Salt – adjust according to your taste
- Eno – Fruit salts, as the leavening agent
- Ghee or Oil – to roast the semolina. I prefer using ghee as it gives a lovely aroma to the idli.
- Oil – for tempering and greasing the idli mould
- Urad Dal – split black gram lentil
- Roasted Chana Dal – split chickpea. Usually available ready roasted in most Indian Stores.
- Fresh Curry Leaves – 1 sprig or a few leaves
- Mustard Seeds – rai.
- Fresh Coriander – cilantro, chopped
- Asafetida – hing. Optional.
For Serving:
Dietary Tips:
- This is NOT A GLUTEN FREE RECIPE
- For Vegan version replace dairy yogurt with a vegan yogurt
- Healthy
- Ideal for the aged and toddlers as its easy to digest and is soft to chew

INSTANT SEMOLINA IDLI/RAVA IDLI
Ingredients
FOR THE SEMOLINA IDLI:
- 1 cup semolina
- 1-2 green chilllis finely chopped
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- ½ cup grated carrot
- ½ cup boiled peas
- ¼ cup sour plain yogurt
- ¾ - 1 tsp salt
- 1½ - 1¾ cups water
- ¾ - 1 tsp Eno plain fruit salt
- 1 tsp ghee
FOR TEMPERING:
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp urad dal
- 1 tbsp roasted chana dal
- 7-8 curry leaves chopped
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander
- ⅛ tsp asafetida
- extra oil for greasing the idli mold
Instructions
PREPARATION OF THE BATTER:
- Add ghee into a wide pan. Heat it over low heat.
- Add semolina and roast it for about 2 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat. Let the semolina or sooji cool down completely.
- Add the semolina to a bowl.
- Add chopped chillis, ginger, salt, vegetables, water and yogurt.
- Mix well till the mixture has no lumps.
- Heat the 1 tbsp oil in a small pan over low heat.
- Add chana dal and roast it till it begins to turn light brown in colour.
- Add the urad dal and roast till it changes colour.
- Add mustard seeds, curry leaves and coriander. Mix and let it sizzle for a few seconds.
- Add asafetida and immediately pour the tempering into the batter.
- Mix well. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
STEAMING SEMOLINA IDLI/RAVA IDLI
- Prepare the idli steamer, add water for steaming. Grease the idli molds with oil.
- When the water begins to boil, add Eno to the batter and give it a good mix till its appears fluffy.
- Using a ladle, fill the idli molds or cavities with the batter.
- Steam the idlis for 10 minutes.
- Remove the mold from the steamer. Let the idlis cool down a bit about 5-10 minutes.
- Using a butter knife or a thin spatula, carefully remove the idlis from the mold.
- Serve the idlis with your choice of chutney and sambar or vegetable stew.
Notes
- The batter should not be too dry or too watery.
- Add vegetables of your choice like finely chopped French beans, corn, finely chopped spinach etc.
- Use medium coarse semolina.
- Add nuts if you like.
- For travel purpose I chopped the idlis into quarters which was so much easier to enjoy with a fork.
- I highly recommend that you add the tempering as that makes the idlis taste completely different.
- Many people presume semolina is gluten free, but its not.
- For vegan option omit dairy yogurt and replace it with vegan yogurt.
- If you don't have an idli mould, steam the batter in small heatproof bowls or in silicon moulds.
Pin for later:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
29 Comments
Rafeeda – The Big Sweet Tooth
January 15, 2019 at 1:25 pm
I have eaten rava idli from out many times but haven’t made it at home yet! What a shame… your platter looks so delicious! I wouldn’t dare eat anything on the metro here since I would invite a penalty for myself… hehe…
mayurisjikoni
January 15, 2019 at 4:04 pm
Thanks Rafeeda, I too have eaten them out so so so many times and can’t believe that its so easy to make them.
The Girl Next Door
January 15, 2019 at 1:36 pm
I love rava idlis! Love how you have made them nutritious by adding various veggies to them. The idlis look so soft and delicious!
mayurisjikoni
January 15, 2019 at 4:03 pm
Thanks Priya, they did turn out really good.
Renu Agrawal Dongre
January 15, 2019 at 3:01 pm
Definitely not, I am not thinking like why another Idli, Infact I am glad that you choose this. The idli’s look so yum and I too love the addition of peas, but since my husband does not I skip them. And yes you are right they are perfect as a travel food. Beautiful clicks. And yes I too made another Instant Idli for this challenge 🙂
mayurisjikoni
January 15, 2019 at 4:03 pm
Thanks Renu.. Will have to check out your instant idli, getting hooked to the variety of idlis.
chefmireille
January 15, 2019 at 10:58 pm
I can imagine everyone else snacking on junk food on the train while you enjoy these delicious idli’s – your breakfast was much healthier than theirs I am sure 🙂 – btw I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED the githeri I cooked from you!
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 10:39 pm
Mireille never thought go that, come to think of it ours was a healthy breakfast while others were snacking on cookies and chips for breakfast! I’m so glad you loved the githeri recipe. We too love this wholesome meal.
simplysensationalfood
January 16, 2019 at 12:41 am
These idlis looks super delicious nad I like the addition of the vegetables to the batter.These would make a lovely and healthy snack dish.
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 10:38 pm
Thank you so much Nayna.
simplysensationalfood
January 16, 2019 at 12:43 am
Simply mouthwatering and super healthy snack.I love the addition of the vegetables to the batter.
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 10:38 pm
Thank you so much Nayna.
Lathiya
January 16, 2019 at 4:13 am
Rava Oslo looks scrumptious…it’s amazing to start the day off with this nutritious and delicious breakfast.
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 10:37 pm
Thanks Lathiya.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
January 16, 2019 at 6:23 am
Firstly super cool collection of idli recipes, Mayuri. It is such a comfort to have this instant rava idli option. I save these for the days I really cant push myself, but need a slice of home. Your idlies look perfect
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 10:37 pm
Thank you so much Seema. I now have an easy peasy recipe for idlis 🙂
Ali
January 16, 2019 at 6:36 am
I’ve never made idlis – I am so happy to be part of this group and get to learn more about so many awesome recipes! You make this sound easy – I will definitely add it to my list of recipes to try out this year!
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 10:36 pm
Please do try it Ali, if you love international cuisine then you’ll love this breakfast treat.
Jagruti Dhanecha
January 16, 2019 at 11:54 am
Instant semolina idli makes me week at knees, especially with coconut chutney! Loving it with many veggies as it becomes wholesome dish.
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 10:32 pm
Thanks Jagruti. It is a really healthy breakfast treat.
themadscientistskitchen
January 16, 2019 at 6:20 pm
Mayuri I have been drooling over the idli images since they have turned on my FB yesterday! in fact I have made so many mistakes typing out this message all because I cannot help looking back at the pics.
I love the idlis Mayuri they are amazing and my favorite as the need minimum preparations.
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 6:58 pm
Thank you so much Archana. I’ve always loved rava idli but didn’t know that it was so so so easy to prepare.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
January 17, 2019 at 6:56 am
I love this instant rava idli and will make them in a blink of a second. It is my to go dinner when I am out of ideas to make. I have added carrots before but not tried green peas. Will give it a try next time.
mayurisjikoni
January 18, 2019 at 6:56 pm
Thank you so much Sandhya, hubby is asking me to make the idlis again.
jayashreetrao
January 19, 2019 at 1:49 pm
This is another dish I keep making often. Yours look so delicious and an ideal travel food.
mayurisjikoni
January 20, 2019 at 10:57 am
Thanks Jayashree, we loved it as travel food as cold idlis tasted as good as the hot ones.
Sasmita
January 30, 2019 at 7:10 am
Instant semolina idli !! WOW WOW 🙂 Also the addition of veggies here are making it much wholesome dish.
mayurisjikoni
January 30, 2019 at 12:25 pm
Thanks Sasmita, I love veggies filled idlis.
Preethi Prasad
April 1, 2019 at 12:43 pm
Delicious Idli Platter loaded with goodness of veggies. I love instant recipes as they come in handy when i am late from work.