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Rava Idli - Puffy Cream of Wheat Muffins
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Rava Idli - Puffy Cream of Wheat Muffins

Rava Idlis are a sort of Muffins made with Cream of Wheat (Sooji, Rava). They are very healthy and tasty. They can be enjoyed just by themselves, or you can have them with a variety of side dishes.

Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Diet Vegan
Keyword Cream of wheat, Rava, Sooji
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups Cream of Wheat Sooji, Rava
  • 1½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Hing Asafoetida
  • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 2 tbsp Cooking Oil Avocado, Olive, Canola, Other
  • 1 cup Plain Yoghurt
  • ¼ tsp Baking Powder
  • 4 cups Water
  • ½ Green Chilli Serrano Pepper
  • 4 Cashews broken into small pieces

Instructions

Stir-fry the Cream Of Wheat

  1. Heat oil in a frying pan. When oil is hot, add mustard seeds. Have the lid ready. When mustard seeds start crackling faster, add green chillies.

  2. Keep stirring for a minute. Green chillies should be fried.

  3. Add the cream of wheat. Stir fry until cream of wheat changes color just a little bit. Don't let the cream of wheat burn.

  4. Add asafoetida. Mix well for a few seconds. Remove pan and let it cool.

Using Idli Steamer

  1. Place the Steamer on the stove. Add water to the Steamer, about 1 inch high, at the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat on to medium.

Using Pressure Cooker

  1. Place the Pressure Cooker on the stove. Add water to the Pressure Cooker, about 1 inch high, at the bottom. Turn the heat on to medium.

Prepare the Idlis

  1. Grease the idli plates of the Idli Gadget (muffin cups) with a few drops of oil.

  2. When the cream of wheat is cooled off, place it in a bowl, add salt and baking powder. Mix thoroughly.
  3. Add one cup of water to the Cream of Wheat mixture. Add the yoghurt too. Stir well. The batter should be like pancake mix.
  4. If necessary, gradually add water little by little and mix, until the mixture turns like pancake batter. Thick, but pourable.
  5. With a small ladle or a large tablespoon, pour the batter in each cup, 3/4 full. Do not fill the cups to the brim.

  6. Lower the heat of the Pressure Cooker or Steamer and place the Idli Gadget carefully into it. Cover it with the lid leaving a slight opening for the steam to escape. Otherwise, the idlis will get soggy. The Steamer, even if covered, may automatically do this.

  7. Increase heat to medium or medium high. Steam the idlis for 8 minutes.

  8. When the steam settles, open the lid. If the idlis look cooked, check one idli with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, turn off the stove. Otherwise, close the lid and cook for 3 more minutes.

  9. Let the idlis stay for 5 minutes. Carefully open the Pressure Cooker or Steamer, remove the Idli Gadget with the idlis, and place it on the counter top.

  10. Using a bread knife or a flat spoon, scoop out the idlis and place them in the bowl. It helps to dip the knife or spoon in water or oil, after each scoop.

  11. Keep the bowl covered. Serve the Rava Idlis hot.

Recipe Notes


Note : This Recipe calls for adding Yoghurt to the mixture. If you are Vegan, just add a little oil instead of yoghurt to make the idlis softer.

Serving Suggestions:
1) Typically the Idlis are served with a little butter or ghee (clarified butter) on top. Skip this, if Vegan. 
2) Serve with Sambar, Coconut Chutney, Idli Powder, Indian Pickles.
3) For kids (or adults too), serve with Jam or Sugar, if they don't like spicy stuff.