27 Jan 2011

Kesar Badam Dates Idlis with Strawberry Puree.

         I know, I know.......the title itself may surprise most of my fellow bloggers. The ingredients and combination may sound new or even doubtful as to how well this combination works.

Believe me it does and I am surprised as you are....!!!!!



This looks more like fruit sponge cake than idli. This version of sweet idli is quick to make with easy ingredients and it is such a treat for kids and grown ups [who are child at heart].



Goodness of the ingredients added:  
 
Almonds: Good for memory power and glowing complexion.
Saffron : Clear complexion, aids digestion, strengthens the heart, kidneys and liver.
Dates: Rich in iron,Vitamin A and B and heart friendly. This fruit is a boon to lactating mothers
Jaggery: Rich in iron and copper, natural sweetener [lesser calories than white sugar], purifies blood and strengthens liver.


Go here for the recipe for Idli/Dosa batter

For the kesar badam dates idli :
Idli Batter: 250 ml.
Flaked almonds: 2 tbsp.
Dates [seedless] :8-10.
Jaggery [fine powder] : 2-3 tbsp.
Whole milk [slightly warm]: 4-5 tbsp.
Saffron threads [kunguma poo]: 1 pinch.
Salt: 1 pinch.
Sodium bicarbonate [soda uppu]: 1 pinch.
Oil: 1-2 tbsp.


If required:
Water : as required.
Semolina : 2 tbsp.

For serving:
Chilled strawberry puree
Icing sugar [for dusting]


1.Soak the saffron in 1 tbsp of warm milk for 20 minutes.
2.Chop the dates finely. Soak them in the rest of the milk for 20 minutes. Crush the almond flakes to tiny bits.
3.Heat the idli vessel with 2 cups of water. Oil the idli plates and keep it ready.

4.Mix the almonds, soaked saffron and dates [along with the milk], jaggery, salt, sodium bicarbonate with the idli batter.
5.Pour on oiled idli plates,keep the plates in the idli vessel, close the lid and steam cook the idlis for 15-20 minutes.


Dust with icing sugar and serve with strawberry puree.

Note: Add the semolina only if the batter is too watery. Add water only if required to loosen the batter to idli batter consistency.

Strawberry Puree:
Puree 5-6 fresh ripe strawberries in a mixer. Refrigerate for minimum of 20 minutes. Serve with the warm idlis.


If it is off season for strawberries and if they are not so sweet, add 1-2 tsp of icing sugar  especially when serving for kids. You can substitute strawberries for pear puree, orange and honey syrup, vanilla custard etc for a variation.


Note: I poured the batter in small stainless steel tumblers and steamed them......just to get the shape of a sponge pudding. The texture will be a little thicker than a normal chocolate sponge but filled with all the goodness of all the ingredients. It is essential to soak the dates as this makes it soft and blends well with the batter, otherwise it just sinks to the bottom of the idlis.

The addition of jaggery gives an earthy colour to the idlis. You can add ordinary sugar if you want much paler colour for the idlis.


Cook.Eat.Delicious.Desserrts: Almonds  event guest hosted by Anu, originally by Raven



Sending this to Twist the Traditional-Idli event by Satya.

My blogging buddies: Gayathri , Priya Suresh , Srivalli , PJ , Monika , Veena , Azeema , Ayeesha , Soumya , Jay , Usha , Priya Vaasu ...Do check out their lovely posts...


Enjoy...

Scribbled by Reva.

31 comments:

Priya Suresh said...

Reva, unga creativityku oru alave illaye..amazing unique idli, loving it..

Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen said...

Thats a nice Twist!!! Looks awesome!!!Love that strawberry in Sugar rain Click!!!!

Chitra said...

Really a novel treat!

Saraswathi Ganeshan said...

love your creativity, unexpected combo...recipes is very new to hear, for sight & sure for taste also...

Sensible Vegetarian said...

WOW very innovative. Never ever dreamt about sweet Idli.

Rachu said...

such a beautiful innovation... all these pictures are heavenly

ammaandbaby.blogspot.com/

Menaga Sathia said...

Very nice!! Hats off ur creativity...

Gayathri Kumar said...

Very delicious combination. Great, Reva!

Vidhya said...

Wow thats one beautiful innovation.I am sure it would have tasted great.Loved your picture,you are a very artistic person.Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such nice comments :).

Sowmya said...

Lovely idea....very healthy and unique...the health facts are an interesting addition. Happy to follow your posts!

Vegetarian Cultural Creatives

Scribblingzzz.. said...

Sema creativity pa... Excellent photos. I loved the icing sugar rain on the strawberry photos...
An absolute creative dish for kids... :)

Mrs K said...

That's an exceptionally innnovative & sweet twist to the regular idli fair,loved it!!!

sharada said...

new innovation...good one!
first time here- got a lovely blog.

aipi said...

That is so creative I almost think of it as a cool invention in making idlis!

US Masala

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Creativity at it's best !! Wonderful job done

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi

Soumya said...

wow...very innovative and super delicious idli...great

chef and her kitchen said...

Loved this sweet twist 2 idli..looks super yumm

Sutapa said...

Reva hats off to your creativity! Very rare and delicious combo and I am too sure that this sweet idly is heavenly awesome!

Kurinji said...

summa kalakkarrenga reva? thodarnthu kalakkunga....

Kurinji Kathambam

Event : Healthy Recipe Hunt - 1 (Aval/Poha/Riceflakes)

Kurinji Kudil

GEETHA ACHAL said...

Looks so different and tempting clicks...

Padhu Sankar said...

Very innovative recipe .Looks yummy

Anonymous said...

superb snaps
excellent idli
mouth watering...

Gayu said...

Very creative and healthy Idlis..Mouthwatering pictures..

G
http://ensamayalarangam.blogspot.com

Srivalli said...

wow agreed sure exotic innovative dish..:)

Harika baratam said...

Looks delicious an award is waiting 4 u in my blog......

Satya said...

Thanks for the wonderful twist reva.. loved it..

Usha said...

Interesting combination! Looks great though.. :) beautiful clicks !

Reva said...

Thanks guys...u people rock..
Reva

Malli's Mint and Mimosas said...

Reva, I would love to take a bite of this creative and scrumptious looking idli.

Priya Sreeram said...

superlative--hats off to ur efforts !!

Meena Thennaapan said...

AMAZING!!!
No other words for this innovation.

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