Instant Ragi Idli made with Ragi or Nachni flour/Finger Millet and served with Tadka Dahi. Extremely nutritious option for a light breakfast or lunch especially during summers.

Idlis are are the steamed cakes, traditionally made with fermenting the rice and black lentils batter, in special Idli steamer. These days lot of version of Idlis are prepared with semolina, millets flour etc. Apart from the fermentation process of making Idli that takes a lot of time Instant Idlis are also becoming popular these days. I already have this Instant Rava Idli recipe on the blog, which is a family favourite.

Idlis whether made with fermentation process or the Instant ones are very healthy and light on stomach. Nutritionists these days recommend to have Idli in breakfast or light lunch. Idlis are paired best with coconut chutney and sambhar. Sambhar is a sweet and tangy lentil stew with mixed vegetables flavoured with spices and tamarind paste. Just like Idlis sambhar also has its South Indian Origin and is prepared in various ways depending on the region and availability of ingredients.

Health Benefits of Ragi..

Ragi is one of the most nutritious millet or grain. It is one of the richest source of calcium, iron, aids in weight loss. Also a natural relaxant that helps the body in aliments like insomnia, headaches and body pains., even depression. It is an excellent baby food and given to babies and kids for their bone development.

Sources.. various online resources and as passed on from the elders in family.

Ragi Idlis and what to serve with it..

Ragi Idli recipe, I learned from one of my neighbour in Mumbai. Though she had told me about the recipe of Ragi Idli made with fermentation process. Through various recipes online, I tried this Instant Ragi Idli and since then many times I make Instant Idli this way also. My kids love to have Idlis and they also eat idlis made with Ragi flour without complaining. I usually serve Idllis(any kind) or with sambar and many times with Tadka Dahi or even simple yogurt during summers. Tadka Dahi is yogurt tempered with curry leaves, lentils and mustard seeds. It is an extremely delicious way of serving yogurt and the Idlis are paired so well with this tadka dahi.

Idli with yogurt...

In summers due to high temperatures, many times we don't feel like eating heavy food or even the regular everyday meal, especially kids after coming back from school. Yogurt cools the body and when served with Idlis or rice forms a complete meal that is light on stomach.Sometimes I just sauté idlis(use any kind) in curry leaves and mustard seeds tempering with some podi or my Roasted Red Bell Pepper,Tomato and Garlic Chutney and have it for the evening time snack on weekends. My daughter likes this spicy version more and washes down these masala Idlis with a glass of buttermilk/chaas (as she doesn't like to have yogurt).

For the recipe of Tadka Dahi click here(updating soon).

How to make Instant Ragi Idli..

For these ragi Idlis I use Ragi flour and semolina flour. Semolina flour adds a bit of softness to these Ragi Idlis. Eno fruit Salt is added for the quick fermentation of the flour and yogurt mixture. But today I had no Eno salt , so I added mix of lemon juice with baking soda, this acts as the substitute of it. The idlis always come out soft, spongy with lemon juice and baking soda.

Let's see quick and easy method of making these Instant Ragi Idlis.

1. Mix together Ragi flour and Semolina and 1/2 tsp of salt. Add yogurt/curd to it..Let the mixture rest for few minutes.
2. Meanwhile fill Idli steamer with water and keep on the stove top to boil. Brush the Idli molds with little oil.
3. After 5 minutes, add some more curd(1-2 tbsp or baking soda.as required), 1/4 cup of water and mix well. Add the mix of lemon juice and baking soda and add to the batter immediately. Mix lightly and scoop the batter in the molds.
4. Keep the Mold in the steamer and steam the idlis for 5-8 minutes. Check after the specified time. Idlis will leaves the sides of the mold. You can insert a toothpick in the middle to check, if making it for the first time.
5. Take out the molds from the steamer and let it stand for a while. Carefully take out the Idlis from the the mold using a spoon.
6. Serve with your favourite chutney and sambhar, or try with yogurt.

Idlis a very convenient to eat for kids especially toddlers, these are soft and wholesome filling and light on stomach. Also since these Idlis contain Ragi, Semolina and Yogurt these are very nutritious for the your kids.For feeding these toddlers consult your pediatrician about the baking soda amount in kids food, if you are not sure for feeding baking soda to toddlers. Pack in lunch box or while travelling. To make these more nutritious you can grate carrots/beetroot or add spinach puree also.

To serve with tadka dahi, prepare tadka dahi, click here for the recipe. Cut Idli in small pieces/cubes, top it with yogurt and garnish with chopped cilantro. You can also top it with some masala boondi or sev for an extra crunch and chaat like taste with some tamarind and green chutney. We love having Idlis this way also, as it gives chaat kind of flavour to the dish. So refreshing!!

Do you know about the World Idli day?? Yes there is a day that is dedicated to these healthy and light bites. March 30th is World Idli Day!!! This was started some 3 years back in 2015, by a Chennai-based Idli caterer Eniyavan who started celebrating March 30 as the "World Idli Day". Since then, the world has shown their love for Idli on social media sites, with the hashtag.. #WorldIdliDay!! Interesting na!!

Source.. wiki and other online resources.

Don't have an idli steamer??

No worries, you can steam the batter in small bowls in any steamer or round cake pan or dish and cut into pieces and relish this healthy treat.

Ragi Idlis can also be used for making Masala Idli or Chilli Idli.

Do make these nutritious steamed cakes and let me know your feedback.

 

Linking my Ragi Idlis to my Facebook group Foodie Monday Bloghop ..Mayuri Patel from our group suggested the theme Idly Medley #188Foodie Monday Bloghop. For the event we are making some no rice Idlis., as per the theme suggested by her.

Do visit Mayuriji's blog Mayuri's Jikoni for some amazing and wonderful recipe collection from traditional Gujarati cuisine to Fusion recipes, breads, desserts, chutneys and many more....

Check out the different types of no-rice Idlis that my fellow bloggers have brought to the event. You will love this wonderful healthy Idli collection..

Instant Poha Idlis by Archana

Instant Oat Rava Idli by Kalyani

Buckwheat Idli by Mayuri

Quinoa Idli by Poonam

Oats and Almond Meal Vegetable Idli by Preethi

Kachipuram Idli/ Kovli Idli by Priya

Veggie Quinoa Idli by Sasmita

Cornmeal Oats Soya Vegetable Idli by Sujata

Instant Ragi/Nachni Idlis by Swati

Kuthiraivali Thatte Idli / Barnyard Millet Idli by Veena

Also linking with #98Blogging Marathon my theme for week 4 is Dish for Each Meal, I decided to post my these Instant Ragi Idlis with recipe for the Day 3, for the anytime meal Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner .

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#98.

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