Semolina steamed cake (rava Idly)

Semolina steamed cake
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 (rava)
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup yogurt whipped
2 tbsp coriander leaves chopped
1/2 cup water
optional 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 ginger grated if using. Add the semolina and keep stirring and roast till 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.

If using vegetables grate them and add it to the mixture. The batter should be thick 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.
Semolina steamed cake
Heat a big pan that can hold the idly pan, fill about 2" of water the bottom of the idly mould should not touch the water, so adjust water accordingly and bring to a boil. A tight fitting lid with a hole where the heat can escape is necessary. Idly is cooked in medium high heat. Prepare this before adding the baking soda and lime juice into the mixture. 

Oil the idly moulds using a pastry brush.

Instead of using baking soda and lime juice can use 1 tsp of Eno salt, available in Indian stores. 

Add eno salt or add lime juice and baking soda into the semolina mixture and quickly mix, you will see the mixture fizz. Once the eno salt is put the mixture should be steamed right away so this step is the last. Quickly put a tbsp of mixture into each oiled mould, don't put too much on each mould.
Semolina steamed cake
When the water is boiling in the pan carefully put the idly stand 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.

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75 comments:

  1. Rava ildly looks delicious. I make some time.

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  2. This is so enticing. I love the savory flavors but have never seen those molds.

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  3. Looks delicious! I'd love to try it.

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  4. I love semolina idli's for their taste and the spontanity with which one can make these super delicious cakes:)These have risen and cooked so well:)

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  5. rava idli with thich chutney.....will melt in my mouth...simply delicious

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  6. I love using semolina in cakes etc, these look awesome what a great little tray that is too!

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  7. Drool..my fav for dinner...looks perfect

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  8. Lovely little bundles of flavour! I am in love with that steaming tray you've got them in...that looks neat!!

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  9. Wow wat a soft idly! they luks perfect...

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  10. That is a great combination of flavors and the cakes look so yummy good!

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  11. Love idli. These look so yummy. Homemade are on my very long to-do list of tasty recipes yet to try. (I have made dosas, sambar, and coconut chutney).

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  12. Healthy, colorful and delicious!

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  13. I showed these to my husband and told him we are making these over the weekend. We love idlies :D

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  14. I have neve rmade idlies at home and yous look so so soft and yumm.

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  15. Very inviting, fluffy and well cooked rava idli..Would love to have this colourful and healthy idli anytime

    Deepa

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  16. looks like a perfect idily..........soft...........yummy.............

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  17. I love semolina cakes but I never tried a steamed one. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  18. looks super yummm ! colourful n very healthy !

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  19. We sure would eat better if I visited your blog more often, I always get the best recipe ideas here!

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  20. It looks so yumm.. the colrs and flavor are great.. I will try it soon.. Loving those idlis

    ammaandbaby.blogspot.com/

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  21. looks very colorful and spongy idlis. I don't resist too long to eat!!

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  22. yummy and spongy idlis. can't resist too long to eat it

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  23. i love instant versions of idlis coz am too lazy to make batter :)
    this suits me perfectly...
    by the way they look so cute and perfect :)

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  24. Totally droolworthy..Might prepare them for today eve...;)

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  25. I`d like to try such cakes one day :)

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  26. I have been always thinking for a sub for eno salts ..and now you shared it ..thanks for that..idlis looks soft , love the addition of all the flavours and vegetables...hugs and smiles

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  27. Soft...and yummy idilis.....never tried making with rava...

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  28. Aslaam Alaikum,
    Its looking yummy & soft..hmmm..you are so smart MashaAllah...i wish i can taste anyone of your recipe...hmm..your family is lucky to have you..

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  29. Very colorful and tasty idlis,loved the texture and the flavor.

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  30. Healthy and yummy idli! Love the addition of veggies in them...

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  31. yummm, looks delish, I love idlis but stick to instant ones in the box , never tried making my own :)

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  32. I've never seen molds like that for steaming the little cakes (which look gorgeous)!

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  33. Soft and fluffy idli,looks so yummy..love it.

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  34. Idly with rava looks so fluffy and perfect dear. You have a wonderful blog....going through it now.

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  35. Rava idli are my favorite as they are so easy to prepare compared to the rice one. Love the pics.

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  36. Those are something new to me and I love them steamed.

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  37. I love the mini cakes. My kinda food with all these lovely spices, too!

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  38. These look and sound so delicious!

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  39. There is nothing like a perfectly steamed idli... I like the texture in these and look delicious!!!

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  40. I really love the sound and look of these. They're so different from the norm. Lovely!

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  41. These sound so delicious, I've never had them before. I love the pans they are cooked in. I will have to see if I can find one in my area, I'd love to try these. Yum.
    -Gina-

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  42. Haven't made Idlies before,but these sound wonderful with the addition of vegetables. Delicious and looking so beautiful!

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  43. A quick fix idli - so convenient! Looks fluffy and soft.

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  44. Love them gorgeous and soft they look :)

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  45. hi :) salam aleikum to you and bright blessings :) i love idly, simply adore them! love your blog space my dear :)

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  46. My favourite one ..looks absolutely spongy and yummy !!! Drooling :)

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  47. Oh these look so yummy! I love the little flecks of green. I wish I had one now!

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  48. Che buoniii..devono essere un perfetto aperitivo!!! ;-)
    Complimenti baci ciaoo*

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  49. hey lovely click yaar!, my H loves these!

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  50. been looking for a semolina idli recipe.. this one looks so perfect & the colorful vegetables is a bonus!! thanks for your comments... you too have got a nice space out here. keep visiting! :)

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  51. I love the color! Lovely brown with green. They looks delicious.

    Kristi

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  52. These look super delicious! I love breads and baked goods with added veggies in them.

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  53. I love semolina and have never seen it steamed into cakes....I would love to try them, they sound oh so flavorful!

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  54. i love semolina cakes and yours sounds good. i'd like to try them. thanks for sharing. have a wonderful Sunday

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  55. Dear...There is an award waiting for you. Please come over to my blog to collect it :)

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  56. I've never seen idly moulds before and they look perfect for steaming your flavorful idlies. Wonderful recipe, as always!

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  57. What a lovely idea for a steamed cake. Sounds delicious.

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  58. Delicious little cakes, very aromatic flavors with all the spices here! Nice!

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  59. my fav rava idly looks yumm with colourful veggies

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  60. I love all of the different flavors in this cake!

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  61. Never been a big fan of idlis..these rava ones looks so awesome!

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  62. i agree with you Cindy Waffles. these cakes really looks delicious.buy desserts online

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Thank you for commenting :)