Carrot Idli | How to dress up Idlis | Indian Breakfast Recipes

Well this is not exactly a dish with cooked Idlis, but rather with the batter that is a day or two old. Normally when we grind Idli batter, the idlis are made the same day, else it tends to get sour, especially in this summer. So that's when we think of doing these dressing up the idlis before they are steamed, which makes it more interesting. If you see my previous post on Plain Onion Idli or Sauteed Masala Idli, it is a quick way to dress up a soured idli batter.

It was typically one of those days when I didn't have an idea on what to make for us. With Kid's lunch or breakfast, if I haven't planned ahead, somehow I end up making something they like and they are packed off to school. Then comes the thought of breakfast for the adults at home. Sometime back I had used grated carrot to make Carrot Coconut Idli with Idli Rava, but somehow I had felt the carrot wasn't enough in the batter. So this time decided to make something new by adding pureed carrot to the batter and seasoning it.

It was a rush hour and I just couldn't find time to take pictures step by step, but I really wished I did, seeing the end result. The idlis turned out so pretty, very colourful. 

Carrot Idli ~ Dressed up Idli with Carrot puree

Ingredients Needed:

Idli batter - enough to make 8 idlis
Carrot puree - made from 2 big carrots, almost 1 & 1/2 puree
Onions - 1 medium
Green Chilis - 2 medium

For seasoning

Mustard seeds, urad dal  - 1/2 tsp
Channa Dal - 1 tsp
Curry leaves -  4 -5 nos
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tsp

Method to prepare:

Check this post to know how to make Idlis
Wash and roughly chop the carrots and puree them using little water.
Mix the carrot puree to the idli batter. Add the finely chopped onions and green chilies.
Heat a pan with oil, add mustard seeds, urad dal, let it splutter. Then add channa dal and curry leaves.
When the dals are browned lightly, add it to the batter and mix well.
Grease your Idli plate with oil/ghee, pour a ladle full of this batter into the moulds and steam them as you would do with your regular idlis. I did for about 15 mins.
Once done, allow them to cool down a bit before removing them from plates.
Serve with your favorite chutney.

Other Idli varieties

How to make Idlis
14 Idlies and Sambar
Kanchipuram Idli
Carrot Coconut Idli with Idli Rava
Idly in microwave
Masala Idli
Plain Onion Idli
Sauteed Masala Idli

Interesting Chutneys that makes a great combo

Plain and Sauteed Onion Idlis | How to dress up Idlis | Indian Breakfast Recipes

The one main reason that I love about this place I live, is its unpredictable weather. Not that I have lived in other places, still as a statement that holds true! Yesterday it rained and it is hard for me to capture the beauty that flowed from because of the rains and the thoughts that came to mind.

I really wanted to live just for that moment and nothing else really mattered. The worries, the apprehensions and so many other things that is part of everyday mundane life. While I was thinking about it, I realized that its been a while since I updated what my kids are up to these days. Thankfully both Peddu and Chinnu leave to school, somehow even when they make a fuss about not wanting to go.

Mornings were always the most hectic period of the day, it somehow become even more than before. Now we have three kids to pack and send to school. We are reeling down on the pressure but we are positive we will manage. As it is about 2 hours in the morning. At least for the boys, it is only the breakfast I have to worry about. Konda carries her lunch. So that is another constant worry as to what to make.

Boys have been sweet enough to ask me only for Dosa or Poha. Chinnu keeps saying Avoul Avoul is what he wants. And yes I guess I forgot to mention, both of them have developed deep love for Drumstick. Everyday they want Drumstick Sambar. With Rice, Dosa and loads of Drumstick. I think end of their affair, we will end up not liking Drumstick!

Talking about their latest fancies, both of them like to play with Wheat dough. Last night, Peddu took a big pinch of the dough flatten it like the biscuit I really made, showed it to me and said "See I made like the bikie you make for me, I love that bikie Amma, very much". with a twinkle in his eyes. He sure know how to melt me with words!

Coming to this Idli variation I got to today, this was something Amma made weeks ago. I stopped making Idlis because kids refuse to eat them. Amma knowing how much we miss Idlis, made this for us. This is very much like how you make Uthappams. When the Idle batter has gone a bit sour, spice it with different things.

Amma makes many varieties with Idlis, like stuffed idlis, Masala Idlis, Spiced Idlies, well the list is endless. I should say your imagination can get wild!

I really don't have a name for this version, but lets call it simply as Onion Idlis

Plain Onion Idlis

Ingredients Needed:

Idli batter - 4  cups
Onions - 2 medium
Finely chopped Green chillies – 2
Coriander leaves – a few
Curry Leaves handful
Salt – a little
Method to prepare :

In a bowl, take the batter and add the finely chopped onions, green chilies, coriander leaves and curry leaves. Mix well.

In a greased idli molds, fill with one scoop of this batter and steam for 15 mins or till done.

Serve hot with sambar or chutney.

Sautéed Onion Idlis

Idli batter - 4  cups
Onions - 1 medium
Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp
Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
Bengal gram – 1 tsp
Finely chopped Green chillies – 2
Coriander leaves – a few
Curry Leaves handful
Salt – a little
Oil – 2 tsp

Procedure:

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, Urad dal and Bengal gram.

When the mustard starts spluttering add onion, green chillies and curry leaves one by one and fry till onion turn light brown.

Remove from heat, pour into the idli batter, stir in the chopped coriander and add salt if required.

Pour a ladleful on a greased idli plate. Steam for 15 mins or till done.

Serve hot with sambar or chutney.

If you are looking for colour, you can add turmeric. We normally that to spice the dosa and not with idli. But Yellow Idlis will look good too.