I always look for interestingBreakfast options as that is my favorite meal of the day.I cannot stick to the same dish every time as I get bored of it.I like to eat Idli but I do not prefer to eat it in the same form in a row for breakfast.I always try to prepare various options with it and make it more interesting.If you are someone like me, try this Vegetable Idli for a change instead of regular idli.It is a great way to sneak vegetables for your kids.
Also check out other interesting Idli varieties:
- Kanchipuram(Kanchi) Idli | Spicy Idli
- Khara Idli / Onion Masala Idli
- Idli Upma - using left over Idlis
- Masala Idli Fries
- Tri Color Cocktail Idlis
Vegetable Idli Recipe:
yields: 12 idlis
Prep time: 10 mins | Cooking time: 20 mins | Total time: 30 mins + cooling time
Cuisine: South Indian | Category : Breakfast
Ingredients:
3 cups Idli batter
12-15 Cashew nuts,split into two halves
1/4 tsp cooking soda
1 tbsp Ghee
for vegetable mixture:
1 medium Carrot,finely chopped
1/4 cup Cabbage,finely chopped
10-12 French Beans,finely chopped
1 small Capsicum,finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh/frozen Green Peas
2 tbsp grated fresh Coconut
1 medium Onion,finely chopped
2-3 tbsp chopped Coriander
2-3 tbsp chopped Coriander
a sprig of Curry leaves,chopped
Salt to taste
Method:
to prepare Vegetable mixture:
- Heat ghee in a kadai and add halved cashew nuts and fry them until light golden in color.Remove and keep them aside.
- Heat oil in a kadai and crackle mustard seeds and add finely chopped onions,curry leaves and saute until it is slight pink in color.Add green chilli paste to it and fry well.
- Add chopped carrots,beans and green peas and fry well for 4-5 mins until they are slightly cooked.
- Add chopped cabbage and capsicum and fry for another 2-3 mins.You don't need to make the vegatables really soft,if they are slightly crunchy its fine as we steam the batter they will get cooked nicely.
- Add enough salt and mix well.
- Switch off the flame and let the mixture cool a bit.
- Add coriander,grated coconut to it and mix well.
to prepare Vegetable Idli:
- Add fried vegetable mixture to the batter and mix well.
Add cooking soda to a ladle and mix it with a tsp of water and add this to the batter and mix it well,the batter becomes bit light.
Grease the idli plates with oil and place roasted cashew nuts and pour a ladle of idli batter until each impression is filled 3/4th.
Steam it in idli steamer or pressure cooker(with out whistle) for 10-12 mins.Let it rest for another 5 mins.
With a idli spoon cleanly remove the idlis.Dip the idli spoon in water in between which helps to remove the idlis easily from the plate.
Notes:
- You can use the same batter to make vegetable dosa.Make the dosas bit thick like uthappam and roast until crisp on one side.
- Adding cooking soda is a must otherwise the idlis come out hard.So in order to get soft and fluffy idlis we should add cooking soda to the batter.
- You can use idli batter either prepared with Idli rice or Idli rava to prepare these idlis.But I prefer to use the batter made up of Idli rice.
