Designer Uttapams and Idlis

Designer Uttapams and Idlies 😛 dressed up in very warm summer flowery theme! 

Used Idli batter with 1/2 Brown rice and 1/2 Basmati Rice to make these. The vegetable designs made these look extra special and beautiful! 🍀🌻🌿🌸

1) Spray the Idli pan with oil spray. Or use 
Non stick pan for uttapams. 

2) Arrange the vegetables in Idli stand - I used carrots, cilantro, onion, tomatoes. Put batter on top of the vegetables for idlies. The batter needs to be little thick than usual and laddled carefully. Steam for 15-20 mins like usual. Remove the idlies carefully after completely cooled. 

3) For uttapams, place batter first, spread into thick uttapam. Then arrange the vegetables. Add few drops of oil on the sides. Cook covered till slightly brown on bottom side. 

 

Designer idlies and Uttapams are ready! 😍

••• Full Brown rice Idli/ Dosa recipe:
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/…/brown-rice-idlis-an…

Spicy potato masala 'stuffed' appe

One of my most favorite appetizers is 'Appe' of various kinds. They are easy to make for parties, you can create variations, everyone loves them and they can me made in tiny bit of oil! Here,I used idli batter for the covering and stuffing of 'batata wada' as stuffing. 

Crispy outer covering with the spicy inner stuffing is just out of this world !!

How to make: 

Put a drop of oil in warm appe pan, some sesame seeds, then spoonful of idli batter (add some sooji if batter is too thin) followed by stuffing and idli batter again.

Cook on both sides till golden brown with another drop of oil.

No words to describe the awesomeness of these yummy bundles!! Enjoy!!

High Fiber Idlies

Here I am in a time crunch to Cook....Click and Blog. However, I do post pics and short recipes on my facebook page ...
https://www.facebook.com/Thesizzlingpan

Here is the recipe from last week that I posted there-(Just Copy and Pasting :))

High Fiber Idlies

1 cup urad daal
1.25 cups brown rice
1.25 cups wheat dalia
1/4 cup cooked rice

Soak, grind and ferment like usual idli batter. Steam and serve hot with sambar and chutney. I had them 'duboke" in sambar.. With some sev on top... Just the way my dad used to like :))

Happy New Year 2014 with Colorful Mini Idlies made with Vegetable Purees!!!

Here's Wishing You and all the Lil Ones a Happy and Healthy New Year 2014 filled with lots of Colorful veggies and fruits!!!

 It was New Years Party and I was planning on making Idlies. I had seen 'Colored Idlies' on a food forum I subscribe to and couldn't resist making these lil nutrition packed bite-size idlies for the Lil ones.I was surprised that the vegetables did not impart much of a taste to the idlies and gave gorgeous colors. They looked too pretty to be real and can make the Prettiest of the Appetizers!!

Doesn't it look like a Artist's Color palette? 

Batter-

 After steaming the idlies-

 Recipe:

1 Cup Urad dal

2 Cups Rice

Salt

2tsp Oil

Oil Spray

Green peas puree(about 2tbsp for 1/2 cup batter)

Grated beets(about 1tsp for 1/2cup batter)

 Turmeric (about 1/2tsp for 1/2 cup batter)

Method:

1)Soak the dal and rice together for 4 hours.
2) Grind into fine paste in a mixie/blender with water to make a semi-thick consistency batter.
3) Ferment overnight till the batter doubles in size ( I pre-warm the oven for 8 mins on the oven 'warm' setting.Then turn the Oven OFF.Put the batter in the oven and cover with a lid.OR you can leave the oven light on overnight to make some warmth in the oven and help the batter rise.)
4) Just before cooking Idlies, add the salt, stir gently 2-3 times.Over mixing will result in flat idlies.
5) Spray the idli stand  (I used a microwaveable min idli stand) with oil cooking spray. Add vegetable puree to 1 cup batter in separate bowls.Mix gently.Add more puree if needed to achive desired color. 

 

6)Add batter to the idli molds and steam for 15-20 mins .

7) Serve steaming hot along with Chutney/ Sambar or Skew them into skewers/ toothpicks for the Prettiest of Appetizers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Mix Daal" + Brown Rice Idlies/ Dosa with Mint-Spinach Peanut Chutney

It is amazing that how a cooking process/ way of cooking changes the same 'batter' into two extremely different textures!! The same batter results into a Crispy thin Dosa and Tender fluffy idlies!
I have experimented with a bunch of variety of Idlies (You can find the recipes here-http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/search/label/South%20Indian%20Food)....and today I used 3 different daals and brown rice to make this delicious idli-dosa combo lunch!

Here is "E's favorite way to eat dosa..."Topi" Dosa....dosa folded like a hat!

Ingredients:
1.5 cups Long grain brown rice
1/3 cup Urad daal
1/3 cup Moong daal
1/3 cup Chana daal
salt
Sliced carrots(optional) for Idlies

Method:
1) Soak the daals and rice together for 4 hours.
2) Grind into fine paste in a mixie/blender with water to make a semi-thick consistency batter.
3) Ferment overnight till the batter doubles in size ( I pre-warm the oven for 8 mins on the oven 'warm' setting.Then turn the Oven OFF.But the batter in the oven and cover with a lid.OR you can leave the oven light on overnight to make some warmth in the oven and help the batter rise.)
4) Just before cooking Idlies, add the salt, stir gently 2-3 times.Over mixing will result in flat idlies.
5) Spray the idli stand with oil cooking spray. Add sliced carrots(optional), add batter and steam for 15-20 mins
6)Serve hot along with Chutney and Sambar

Dosa
1) Heat a nonstick pan on medium heat.When heated apply oil to the pan with a paper towel.
2) Spread a large spoonful batter thinly into circular shape quickly.
3) Add few drops of oil to the sides.Let it crisp up and turn golden brown.
4) Serve hot along with Chutney/Potato bhaji/ sambar

Mint-Spinach Peanut Chutney

1/2 Cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
10-12 mint leaves
2-3 green chilies
1/2tsp ginger
1/2tsp cumin
salt
sugar
 In a blender/mixie and all the ingredients and blend into a fine paste with some water.

Brown Rice- Spicy Green Chili and Onion "Appe"

It's weekend and have promised myself to write a blog post at least every week or two.
Since a long time, I had been wanting this 'Appe' pan, and finally I have it!!!

 Now, there might be many "Appe' batter recipes...but I remember the ones my mom made when I was little. She used the plain 'Idli' batter and added onions,green chilies and cilantro to the batter.I did just the same!! I used brown rice to make a healthier version.

Ingredients:
1.5 Cups brown rice
0.5 Cup white rice
1 cup Urad daal
salt

1 Finely chopped Onion
2 -4 green chilies finely chopped
1tbsp chopped cilantro
1 tsp cumin

Method:
1) Soak brown rice, white rice and daal separately for 5-6 hrs. Grind them into a fine paste and mix.
2) Let the batter ferment overnight.
3) Brush the Appe pan with oil and keep on the hot stove.
4) Add the chopped onion,green chilies, cilantro,salt and cumin to the batter.
5) Add 2tsp batter to the appe pan and cook with lid on for 2-3 mins.Turn the appe gently with a wooden dowel/ spoon.
6) Add a few drops oil. Let it cook for 1-2 mins till golden brown.

7) Serve  hot with your favorite chutney and sambar!

'Wheat Dalia' Idlis

After the "Oatlis OR Oats Idli" (http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2011/09/fusion-cuisine-oatli-oat-idlis.html) , the " Ragidlis OR Ragi Idli "(http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/08/nutritious-and-delicious-ragidlis-ragi.html), the "Brown Rice Idlis"(http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/12/brown-rice-idlis-and-dosa.html) and the "Masala Corn stuffed Brown Rice Idlis" (http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2013/01/masala-corn-stuffed-brown-rice-idlis.html)....here comes another one!!!

Wheat Dalia Idlis!!!!!

Couple weeks ago..when I posted my "Brown Rice Idli" recipe on a facebook forum "Bon Appetit'...a fellow member ( Gayatri Tatke )....said she makes "Wheat Dalia Idlis" and they come out 'even softer than our regular idlis". Now..... you know me!! I had to try these ASAP!!!
Loved them!! The color is well...a little "Wheatish"...but you wouldn't miss the Rice in the Idlis!!

 Ingredients:
2 Cups Wheat Dalia (Cracked wheat-I had the coarse variety)
1 Cup Urad daal
salt

Method:
1) Soak 1 cup urad daal and 2 cups wheat dalia for 8 hrs separately.( I soaked it in the morning and ground it at night) Grind into fine paste and let it ferment overnight. I warm the oven on 'warm' for 5 mins and then keep the batter in the Oven and TURN IT OFF.
After fermentation add salt to the batter.
2) Spray the Idli stand/mold with non stick cooking spray
3) Steam for 20 mins
4) Serve hot along with Sambar/Coconut Chutney/ Spicy Powder Chutney

Sambar and Chutney Recipes:
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2013/01/masala-corn-stuffed-brown-rice-idlis.html

Spicy Powder Chutney:
 I bought the MTR "Spiced Chutney Powder" and mixed it with yogurt.( you can mix it in Oil too..but  I prefer yogurt)

'Masala Corn' Stuffed Brown Rice Idlis

Finally...after two weeks of  sneezing and coughing....I am back to myself!!! Yeah!!! And now I am craving all the yummy spicy Indian food:))
So there goes a combination of my two favorite things- "Masala Butter Corn" and my new found favorite "Brown Rice Idlis".... to make the delicious and nutritious "Masala Corn Stuffed Brown Rice Idlies"

When I visited "The Steamy Affairs" in Pune last year..they had any and every variety of Idli..which you could think of!! There was Idli Manchurian..there was Buttermilk Idli...then there was Jungli idli....crazy names...but delicious !
Stepping on their footsteps..I am trying out my very own Idli combos!!!

Masala Corn:

1 cups frozen-(thawed to room temp) corn kernels
1/2tsp chili powder
1/2tsp kitchen king masala
1/2tsp chaat masala
1/4tsp mustard seeds
1tsp oil
salt
 Masala  Corn=Heat 1tsp oil, add mustard seeds,corn, salt, ,chili powder, masala etc. Sir fry till properly heated.
You can eat this by itself, with a squeeze of lemon and a dap of butter.( chopped raw onions and cilantro if you like)

Brown Rice Idli
2 Cups Brown Rice
1 Cup Urad daal
salt

Method:
1) Soak 1 cup urad daal and 2 cups brown rice for 8 hrs. Grind into fine paste and let it ferment overnight.After fermentation add salt to the batter.
2) Spray the Idli stand/mold with non stick cooking spray
3) Add few masala corn kernels, then idli batter, then masala corn kernels and then idli batter again into the molds.
4) Steam for 20 mins
5) Serve hot along with Sambar and Coconut Chutney

 Sambar and Chutney Recipe:
http://my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2012/12/brown-rice-idlis-and-dosa.html

Brown Rice Idlis and Dosa

Brown Rice....how many times have I decided to start using it..mainly as "Rice"....but somehow my palate isn't ready...and I keep postponing it.

Few months ago, when "E' was performing a dance at the Ganapati festival, we had the crispiest, yummiest Dosa at one of his friends house. 'V' makes excellent South Indian food.I was amazed at how delicious and crispy the Dosa was..and could hardly make out....that it was made with brown rice, neither by color nor texture nor taste.

Couple days ago....I made up my mind..and bought a 2lb bag of Brown Rice at Walmart for $ 1.32(good deal ha!!)
Inspired by "V''s Brown rice Dosa....I decided to make the batter and mark the beginning of "Brown Rice" era at home!

Batter--
2 Cups Brown rice
1 Cup Urad Dal
Water to soak
Soak the Rice and Daal separately in water for 5-6 hours.The water should cover the rice/daal and little over it.
Grind into a fine paste with the water that it was soaked in.So the rice doesn't loose any essential vitamins.
Let it ferment overnight.I preheat the oven to 'warm' for 5 mins, TURN IT OFF, before I put the batter in a large vessel and keep it overnight in the oven to ferment.
After it ferments and fluffs up...add salt to taste.
Idlis-
Steam the batter in idli stand for 15-20 mins. Serve hot with sambar and chutney

Dosa--
Preheat non stick pan/tava
Smear oil with a paper towel on the tava.
Spread a spoonful batter onto the tava and let it cook on low-medium flame till it browns and crisps up.
Serve immediately with Sambar and chutney.



 Sambar--

1 Cup well cooked Toor dal/masoor dal
1/2 cup Veggies like drumsticks, pumpkin, raddish, gourd,potato etc
1 tomato sliced
1/2 onion sliced
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/2tsp Cumin
1/2tsp Methi seeds
2-3 tsp Sambar masala ( I used MTR brand)
1tsp red chili powder
1/2tsp turmeric powder
1/2tsp Tamarind concentrate
1/2tsp Jaggery
Curry leaves
2 Red whole chilies
2 tsp oil
salt

Heat the oil, add the mustard seeds, cumin,methi seeds, curry leaves, red chili.Fry for few seconds.Add the onion,tomatoes and veggies and fry for 2-3 mins.
Add turmeric, sambar masala,chili powder and the daal.
Add enough water to make desired consistency and then add the remaining ingredients. Let it boil for few minutes till the veggies cook.Serve hot!


 Coconut-Cilantro Chutney--

1/2 cup fresh coconut
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
3-4 green chilies
1/4tsp ginger
1 clove garlic
1/2tsp cumin
salt
sugar
few drops lemon juice
1tsp oil,1/2tsp mustard, curry leaves for tempering

 Grind coconut,cilantro,chilies etc into a fine paste in a blender. Heat 1tsp oil add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Let it crackle and then add to the ground Chutney.

"Nutritious and Delicious" - 'Ragidlis' =Ragi Idlis/ Nachani Idlis and Ragi Dosa with Coconut-Spinach Chutney and Sambar

Sometimes,there are some simple things to do....and somehow you have never made them before!! I have made 'Idli's zillions of times and I always have tons of 'Nachani'/ Ragi on hand for little 'A'...but never did I make 'Ragidlis' before!! The other day,'S'  and I were talking about healthy 'grains' and she mentioned to me that she had tried these once before. I just couldn't wait to try these myself!!
These are excellent health food for kids, adults and diabetic patients.
'Ragidlis' were obviously brown/reddish colored and tasted great! The same batter made excellent dosas. 'M' loved the dosa better....it came out crisp just like paper dosa! Sorry the picture isn't that great...but believe me..there was 'crunch' in every single bite!!!

Ingredients:
Ragidlis/ Ragi Dosa
1 Cup urad dal
2 cups Ragi flour/ Nachani flour
salt
1tsp oil
Cooking spray to spray idli molds.

Coconut-Spinach Chutney

 3/4 cup shredded fresh coconut/ frozen coconut
1 cup chopped fresh tender spinach leaves
1 clove garlic
1-2 green chilies
salt
sugar
few drops of lemon juice
Grind all the above ingredients till smooth.
Tempering: Heat 1tsp oil, add 1/2tsp mustard,1/2tsp cumin, pinch of asafoetida.Pour on the chutney.

Sambar:
1 cup well cooked Toor dal  (cook in pressure cooker)
1/2 cup well cooked masoor dal
1 cup cut up veggies- drumsticks, onions, eggplants, zucchini, carrots,cauliflower etc
1 tomato sliced/chopped
2tsp Sambar masala
1tsp red chili powder
1tsp turmeric powder
7-8 curry leaves
1/2tsp mustard seeds
1/2tsp cumin seeds
1/2tsp tamarind concentrate
1tsp jaggery
1-2 red dried chilies
1tbsp oil
salt
1) Heat  oil, add mustard seeds, cumin,red chilies, curry leaves.Add the vegetables and stir for 2-3 mins. Add the sambar masala, turmeric,red chili powder etc. Add the cooked dal and water.
Let it simmer till the vegetables cook. Add tamarind, jaggery, salt etc and boil for another 5-6 mins.

Method:
1) Soak Urad in water for 5-6 hours.
2) Soak Ragi flour in water for 1 hour.
3) Grind the dal into smooth paste. Blend the ragi flour paste in blender couple times.
4) Mix ground up dal+ ragi and let it ferment overnight in warm place.The batter will rise 2-3times.
5) Add salt and 1tsp oil to the batter. Make batter in the Idli molds and steam for 20 mins.

 6) For Dosa: Heat a  non stick pan. Lightly coat with oil. Place a large spoonful batter and make a circle by spreading quickly. Let it cook on medium -low flame. Remove when crisp and done.
7) Serve the Idli/ Dosa hot along with steaming hot sambar and fresh coconut-spinach chutney!!