Oats Rava Idli (With Carrots and nuts)

  If dosa is the heart of south Indian breakfasts then idli is the soul :) Man! I am starting this post with an intense statement :) In today's world of fusion cuisine, experimenting with oats and quinoa has become a normal norm. Health conscious community is constantly coming up with innovative ideas, some really good and some super flop :) I have made oats dosa and gave a thumbs up (yet to list it on my blog) and now tried Oats Idlis, I have to say I have fallen in love with these beauties.

It is easy to make with no fermentation process involved. It is nutritious as all ingredients used are healthy and last but not the least it is FILLING. Yes!! Eat 2 or 3 Oats Idlis and you have a full stomach :) Great for dieting according to me :)

Pair it with some spicy peanut chutney and you will know what I am talking about once you have had it. I have added carrots to the idlis and that gives a nice yellowish-orangish tinge to it making it irresistible.

Idlis can be consumed as breakfast, or as a snack, as light supper. It is one perfect dish to have on the days that you are fasting or you can carry it while you are travelling on the road. Another advantage of these oats idlis is that you don't necessarily need any accompaniment, like chutneys or sambar, it in itself is a delicious treat.

 So without any further ado, let us take a look at the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup regular oats
• 1/2 cup semolina (rava, sooji)
• 1 cup carrots grated
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3 tsp oil
• 2 tbsp cashews (lightly crushed)
• 2 tbsp cilantro chopped
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 1 tsp channa dal
• 1 sprig of curry leaves (optional)
• salt to taste

Preparation:

• Heat a pan or a tava/griddle and roast oats for just a couple of minutes. Transfer to a blender and grind it to a powder.
• In the same pan add 3 tsp oil, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, channa dal, urad dal, curry leaves, cashews and saute for a couple of minutes, then add grated carrots, saute for another minute.
• Add semolina and roast further for 3 minutes on med flame. 
• Now transfer this mixture into the bowl, add powdered oats, yogurt, salt, cilantro and mix everything. Add water and keep the consistency little thick, don't make it a running batter. Mix and keep aside for 10 minutes. Rava will soak in water and raise a little. Now add more water if needed.
• Lastly, add baking soda and sprinkle few drops of water over it. Mix the batter again.
• Grease the idli moulds with oil or oil spray and add 2-3 tbsp of batter into each mould. Steam it for 12 minutes on med-high flame. 
• Remove and wait for a couple of minutes for the idlis to cool down. Use a spoon and scoop it out into a plate.
• Serve hot with your favorite chutney. I have shown red peanut chutney in the picture.

You may also like Poha Idli (Instant), Dosa, Cilantro Chutney, Ginger Chutney, Sabudana Khichdi.

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

recipe adapted from another foodie Priya Reddy! 

Notes:* If you don't have an idli mould no worries, use a plain steel vessel, add batter and steam for 12 minutes. Cut the idlis in square or diamond shape and enjoy :) Roasting the ingredients is an important step to make fluffy oats idli. The sour the yogurt better the taste :)

Health Benefits:

Oats are high in fibre content, helps lower cholesterol. Enhances the immune response to infection. It is known to stabilize sugar levels. Studies show that it may reduce asthma risks in children.

Semolina(Rava, Sooji)- Since rava, sooji or semolina is made from durum wheat(hard variety, cream of wheat) and not the usual soft wheat which is used in bread making, it is digested slowly. Having a low glycemic index, semolina is ideal for those who wish to lose weight or those who have blood sugar problems. It improves kidney problem due to its potassium content.

Rava Thalipeeth (Semolina Pancakes)

Filling, Yum and Healthy-  Thalipeeth (pancakes, bhakri) can be enjoyed for breakfast or you can munch on it during your snack time or you can also have a couple of these for your lunch. The choice is yours! People also have it on the days they are fasting. Made out of rava (sooji or semolina), they taste yummy with any kind of chutney and clarified butter or plain butter on it. I usually make it for breakfast. Its texture and ability to go easy on the stomach makes it a comfort food. Quick to make and tasty to eat, it's also known as rava bhakri.
Let's get to the recipe:

SOOJI THALIPEETH (SEMOLINA PANCAKE)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rava (sooji, semolina)
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1-inch ginger grated
• 2 green chillies chopped
• 2 tbsp grated coconut
• 10 curry leaves (optional)
• handful chopped cilantro
• 1-2 tsp sugar or jaggery
• salt as per taste
• 1/2 cup of water or more
• 1 tbsp grated cucumber (optional)
• 1 tbsp grated carrots (optional)
• oil to shallow fry
  Preparation:

• Mix all the ingredients together along with the water and bring it to a thick pancake batter consistency.
• Keep aside for 10 minutes, let the rava soak in. You may want to add little bit more water if it is too thick.
• Heat a dutch flat pan/ tava, add 1 tsp oil and spread it evenly.  Take a ladle and pour the batter making a circle and using the back of the ladle spread it on the tava. Many people just spread it with fingers. Add oil little by little over the edges and over the rava thalipeeth. 
• Cover it with a lid and on medium flame let it cook for 4-5 minutes.
• Flip and repeat the process till it's cooked, about 3-4 minutes. 
• Remove it from the tava and serve with chutney or a dollop of butter on it. Goes well with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

 <---- thalipeeth batter

 spread the thalipeeth batter on                                         the pan---->

                                                <---after you flip the thalipeeth

Njoy!!

Nutrition Fact: Since rava, sooji or semolina is made from durum wheat(hard variety, cream of wheat) and not the usual soft wheat which is used in bread making, it is digested slowly. Having a low glycemic index, sooji is ideal for those who wish to lose weight or those who have blood sugar problems. It improves kidney problem due to its potassium content.