18 Sept 2011

Corn Spinach Idli with Carrot Peanut Chutney

"Idli" - The name says it all....

It was not my favourite when I was in my teens which seems like a million years ago:(  I guess that this is the case with most of us especially if you are from Tamil Nadu....


Having said that I used to have two plates of "Sambhar Idli" when ever we visit Sri Annapoorna Gowrishankar restaurant near our home in Coimbatore.

The soft idlis soaked in the spicy sambhar dotted with ghee and fresh coriander is to die for.... Even now I don't miss this treat when ever I visit India..:)

Now things have changed and I make idlis atleast thrice a week as it is easy to make, very healthy and makes an awesome combo with various chutneys, curries, podis and even condensed milk..:) I have to say I have developed a liking towards these softies..


Now to the recipe....I love the way this humble idli could be transformed into so many different forms and holds the colour and flavours added to it. I feel there is something for everyone to learn from this particular nature of idli.

In life, the flexibility to change, adjust and go with the flow to reach our destiny without hurting our loved ones but keeping our diginity and self respect intact is essential .... and doing this without any fuss ... this is the essence of life just like the idlis ..:) This is the way I see it .... :)


It is just a simple idea of adding a few ingredients to boost nutritious intake esp when you have to feed small kids like my daughter. Even though she is not fussy, I don't want to bore her with the same dishes... not only for her but for everyone in the family..

Something colourful, tasty and healthy.

For the spinach puree:
Heat a sauce pan on medium flame. Add cleaned and washed spinach, around 300gms. Add 1/3 cup of water. Cover and let the leaves wilt and become very dark green. This will take around 5-6 minutes. Cool, puree and reserve.



For the idlis:
Idli maavu [batter]: 2 cups.
Spinach puree: 3-4 tbsp.
Fresh corn pearls: 3 tbsp.
Salt: to taste
Sodium bicarbonate: 1 pinch.
Water:1/3 cup [use only if needed]


1.Heat the idli vessel filled with 2 cups of water. Oil the idli moulds.
2.Mix all the ingredients except water. If the consistency is two shades thicker than pancake batter, then that is the right consistency.
3.Pour into idli moulds and place in the idli vessel.
4.Close the lid and steam for 15 minutes.



Serve hot with carrot peanut chutney or tomato ketchup.

For idli maave recipe, please visit this link : Idli Dosa Batter
For a more interesting read about the "History of Idli", please visit this link: Malligai Poo Idlis

Carrot Peanut Chutney: 
Carrots [medium] : 1
Roasted peanuts: 150 gms.
Red chillies: 1.
Tamarind paste: 1 tbsp.
Tender curry leaves: 1 sprig.
Salt: to taste.
Water: as required.


1.Peel, trim and cut the carrot into small pieces. Steam until soft which ill take 5 minutes in the steamer.
2.Grind all the ingredients in a mixie or food processor until smooth by adding water little by little to loosen the consistency as you grind.
3.Check for salt and transfer onto a serving bowl.

Serve along with hot idlis.

Note: The spinach puree can be replaced with carrots/beets/cauliflower/pumpkin puree to give it a different flavour and colour each time.


The corn kernels can be replaced with steamed bits of carrot/ beet /cauliflower/ sweet potato /peas etc.

The variations are endless, so play around..

The peanut chutney can be prepared without the carrots. It is best eaten on the day of making it. It does keep well until next day when refrigerated and warmed before serving. I usually don't do tadka for the chutneys. If you wish, heat a1 tsp of oil and splutter 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds and a sprig of curry leaves.Add this to the chutney before serving.

Sending this to "Life is Green" by Shilpa .


Food Palette Series:Finale Rainbow Colours. by Akheela.


WWC : Cornmeal for Breakfast , event guest hosted by Anu, originally conceived by Sanjeeta KK of litebite.

 
"Serve it Steamed" by Krithi and Denny .


Also reposting "Mint Ginger Idlis with Green Mango Chutney for "Serve it Steamed", "Food Palette Series: Rainbow Colours" and "Life is Green" events.


Corn Upma for "WWC-Corn for Breakfast" event.



Enjoy .....


Scribbled by Reva

33 comments:

KrithisKitchen said...

Super soft and colorful idlis... thanks for sending over to the event..
Krithi's Kitchen
Event: Serve It - Steamed

Ramya said...

wow..what a healthy idli and chutney..very innovative, reva..

Julie said...

Healthy n innovative recipe..looks super soft too!

Harini said...

that is a fantastic idea indeed. I love the lines which depict the formula of life, so to say..Also the idea of adding carrots to peanuts is super!

divya said...

Mmm delicious! wonderful clicks...

Rose /Magpie said...

Hi Reva I didn't know you were from Coimbatore! My parents live there and I LOVE Annapoorna's too :)

Nithu Bala said...

Reva, you really rock:-) healthy combo..love your pictures and presentation..

Rumana Rawat said...

Very healthy dish...

Indian Khana said...

That's wonderful combo and so healthy ...love the chutneys ...nice pics

Unknown said...

Healthy and delicious idlies with yummy chutney

Prema said...

Wow delicious idli and yummy chutney,love the combo totally...

Nandita SS said...

What a wholesome Idli. I loved the combo :)

Menaga Sathia said...

amazing clicks...love the both recipes...

Suchitra Vaidyaram said...

looks gorgeous and you have just sensationalized the whole concept of idlis- love'em

Rinku Naveen said...

Wow! Rev never seen such colourful idlis. It looks fluffy and perfect. So healthy and the chutneys are lovely!

GEETHA ACHAL said...

wow..Wonderful idlis and chutneys...Looks so tempting...

Kaveri Venkatesh said...

These idlis look very tempting..very healthy too..beautiful clicks as usual

chef and her kitchen said...

very colorful n fluffy idlis..looks yumm

Ramya said...

What a lovely nd colorful idly:-) Lovely presentation!

Priya Suresh said...

Woww super delicious and healthy idlis..

Lifewithspices said...

Wow wonderful method to use spinach.. too good idli.. n chutney..

Pavani said...

oh!healthy n colourful breakfast n grt clicks dear..

alpana said...

Idli's look supersoft & amazing.I can have them anytime.

Sobha Shyam said...

healthy and soft idlis, wonderful clicks..

layaa said...

Wonderful clicks reva,idlis looks soo soft and delicious.

Prathima Shivraj said...

Very innovative cum healthy idlis, awesome clciks.

chitraj.hegde said...

wow///that looks so nice...very nice colour combo and ingredients...i never tried this kind of idly..and the chutney looks gr8 too....both r new for me..

Avika J Chawla said...

Idli Looks very Healthy and delicious Reva...and the peanut chutney will just add to the taste...loving it ..m a grt Idli fan too..:)

San said...

Moist and healthy idlis with spicy chutneys. Superb pics.

Torviewtoronto said...

thank you for linking this delicious looking combination looks fabulous

Unknown said...

Very innovative & healthy recipe.

Anu said...

awesome healthy recipes dear....simple dishes can be made healthy and rich ....love your creativity.....drool over your clicks........

Thanks for linking it to my event!

CHECK OUT My DIWALI Event and Recipes
September - ALMONDS Event & GIVEAWAY
September - WWC - "Cornmeal for Breakfast"
100 Friends/Followers & GIVEAWAY

MyKitchen Flavors-BonAppetit!. said...

These Yummy,healthy,tasty and colourful Combo Idlis will be an ideal breakfast Dr.Luv ur recipes.Thanks for sharing.

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