January 20, 2010

Masala Rava Idlis, Potato-Carrot Kurma, Peanut Chutney and Flax seed Chutney powder Paratha

I trust that you are all enjoying relatively better weather for the past few days. We had almost 60F after a month of bitter cold temperature, great to feel the warm Sun on your face. Of course I have already forgotten all about those dog days of last Summer with 98F! :D

Martin Luther King, Jr.:
This is the house where he was born on Jan 15th, 1929 in Atlanta, GA. We were in Atlanta, GA for New Year's weekend, visited the Zoo, GA Aquarium and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Museum, his home, his church etc,. Thought I would post this photo of his pretty house for you.

Last weekend was fun too. We went to Monster Truck Jam at last after missing that event many times before. It was so much fun. There were about 6-7 Monster trucks and was only one lady driver in this Dalmatian Monster Truck with a tail and a pink tongue too, very cute! We screamed the loudest for the lady. She was very good!! But a truck called Grave Digger won in the end. With a name like that, you better believe he would win too! :D

Well..looks like my brain is thawed too just like the weather. Last week, I couldn't think of anything new to post for this week. I guess with my 166+ posts and thousands of dishes here, I have anything left to post every Wednesday! That was what I was thinking but then I realized that I have never posted Rave/Rava idlis as my mother makes them back home. So I made Rava Idlis with some herbs and spices along with a Kurma and Peanut chutney. Makes great combo for dinner and I also used Porcelain or ceramic cereal bowls to steam the Rava idlis instead of using regular Idli stand, so one single idli would be very filling. Give it try if you like, Idlis are my mother's version, Kurma is something I usually cook with different combination of vegetables with the same spice paste, this time with just Carrots and Potatoes and I love the taste of roasted Peanuts in chutney with these Idlis! :)

Masala Rava/Semolina/Cream of Wheat Idlis, Potato-Carrot Kurma with spicy Peanut Chutney:
I steamed these idlis in a wide mouthed ceramic/Porcelain cereal bowls, two at a time in the pressure cooker, stacking the bowls on top of each other. I keep one bowl filled halfway with batter at the bottom of the pressure cooker, use Chinese (flat wooden) chop sticks across the bowl and keep another bowl on top to steam without the use of pressure cooker weight. You can just use the regular Idli stand with this batter. Also adjust the Buttermilk in this recipe to add less or more depending on the quality of Semolina you have at hand, should be like Idli batter somewhat.

Masala Rava Idli:
1 1/2 cups of coarse Semolina/Rava (don't use very fine textured Rava, roast this in a non-stick pan without oil until golden, cool it),
2 cups Buttermilk (mix 1 cup Yogurt and 1 cup water, beat well), add enough salt to taste and 1/4 tsp Baking soda. (You can add chopped cooked or canned Peas, sliced Green beans and grated Carrots to the batter)
For seasoning:
Heat 1 tbsp ghee, add 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds, 1 tsp Cumin seeds, 2 tsp Urad dal and 2 tsp Chana dal, 3 tbsp broken Cashewnuts, let the dals turn little golden. Add 1 tsp finely chopped Green Chillies or 1/4 tsp red chilli flakes, 11/2" finely chopped ginger, few curry leaves, finely chopped and 2 tbsp Cilantro, finely chopped. Stir for a minute until the Cilantro wilts. Take off the heat and cool it.
Mix cooled seasoning into beaten Yogurt, salt and baking soda, mix well. Add the cooled Semolina to Yogurt and mix well until you get a smooth batter. Cover and rest the batter for 10-15mins.
To Steam:
1. Add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of batter to two cereal bowls, keep them aside. Add 3" of water inside the pressure cooker, place the stand (which comes with pressure cooker) on the bottom, let it boil.
2. Place in a bowl carefully on the stand or grill, place few wooden chopsticks across the bowl and place another bowl on top of first one.
3. Cover with the lid and steam for 15mins on high heat without weight. Turn off the heat, take the bowls out carefully and invert them after few seconds of cooling. Serve hot.
Potato-Carrot Kurma:
You need to:
Cook 1 cup whole Baby Carrots, salt and 2 cups of 2" peeled and cubed Potatoes with some water in the microwave until almost done and keep it aside.(can add more vegs if you like)
Dry roast until reddish and grind these spices with few tbsp of water:
1 tbsp Poppy seeds, 1 tbsp Coriander seeds, 2 tsp Chana dal, 2 tbsp dry coconut, few dry red chillies, 2 cloves and 1" Cinnamon (Indian Cassia Bark/chakke).
For seasoning:
1 tsbp oil, 1 tsp Mustard seeds, pinch of Hing and few curry leaves (optional), 1tbsp ground or grated ginger. 1/4 cup Tomato sauce.
Garnish: with finely chopped Cilantro.

To make Kurma:
1. Heat oil and add mustard seeds, hing, curry leaves, let it splutter. Add ground ginger, stir for a while and then add tomato sauce, fry until oil shows up on top. Add ground wet masala/spices, stir fry for a minute.
2. Add cooked Carrots and Potatoes with it's water, boil, and simmer until they are cooked but not very soft and most water is gone and sauce is thicker.
3. Adjust the salt and chilli pd if needed. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with Rava idlis.

Peanut Chutney:
For chutney:
1. Heat a pan, roast 1/2 cup Peanuts until crisp. Take them out and cool them. Add 1/4 cup grated coconut, roast them until slightly golden. Take it out.
2. Add few dry red chillies, 1 tsp Cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp Coriander seeds, stir fry for few mins. Cool.
3. Add all the above to a mixie bowl along with 1" chopped ginger, 1/2 tsp tamarind paste, few tender Cilantro stems and enough salt.
4. Grind to a smooth paste with minimum of water added. Take out in a bowl.
5. Heat 2 tsp oil, add 1 tsp mustard seeds. When they splutter, take off the heat and cool. Add to chutney and mix.
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Flax seeds Chutney Powder:
I have heard that Flax seeds are one of the super foods and I have seen some Indian bloggers making the chutney powder with Flax seeds. I read that eating whole Flax seeds do not help you because they are hard to digest. You have to powder the Flax seeds to aid digestion and advised not to use more than 1-2 tbsps a day since too much of intake of these seeds in a day causes stomach upset. Like everything in life moderation helps!
I found a big pack of Flax seeds in our usual grocery store last week, so I thought of making some chutney powder in a similar (but not the same, no coconut added to this) way my mother makes Chana dal and Urad dal chutney pudi but added roasted Flax seeds. Turned very well and I use chutney pudi with Chapatis or rice topped with some ghee. Tastes wonderful.

To make flax seed chutney powder:
1. Dry roast 1 cup of Flax seeds until they splutter slightly. Don't roast too much, it will taste bitter. Take them out on a paper, cool.
2. To the same pan, add 2 tbsp Chana dal, 1 tsp Cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp Coriander seeds, few (or as many you like) dry red chillies, few black pepper corns, dry until reddish. Cool.
3. Add all this to a mixie with salt, pinch of Hing, 1 tsp dry Garlic powder, 1 tsp Tamarind powder (if you have it) or roast a piece of lumpy Tamarind until crisp, cool, add it and powder.
4. Spread on a paper towel, cool the chutney powder completely before storing it in a bottle with tight lid. I keep it in the fridge, lasts longer as Seeds get rancid quickly at room temperature.
Make it spicy, tastes wonderful and good for you too.

Flax seed chutney powder in layered Parathas:

I also experimented by adding 1 tbsp of Flax seed chutney pd to make layered Parathas. See the link to see how to roll out triangular Parathas. You sprinkle the chutney pudi in between layer as you fold the layered Parathas and cook them as usual.

Here is how to make layered triangular Parathas.
Roll out the dough to a circle, brush some oil or ghee on top and sprinkle 1 1/2 tsp of chutney pudi, fold the Paratha into half. Brush with ghee or oil again, sprinkle 1 1/2 tsp of Chutney pudi and fold again to a triangle and roll out again. Heat a griddle and cook Parathas on both sides and serve hot.
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Movies I watched last week:

"The Hurt Locker":
A very realistic movie about US Army Bomb sqaud who are detonating or disarming the bombs on the streets of Iraq on a daily basis. It scares you and makes you understand (although it's a fictional movie) what and how these soldiers go thru' everyday there. The fear, insecurity, bravery and heartaches of those soldiers are so palpable, always looking over their shoulders for some enemy attack is unfathomable for most of us. For some of them, even when they go home after they serve their term just can't deal with family life because they are so used to the adrenaline rush of being in the middle of a war. Even I was thinking "Hey, go back to war, you are better off there!". In the end , the main character of this movie walks off of a Army Helicopter smiling to serve another term of war!
War is always a sad thing but it also makes you grateful for these soldiers who put themselves between us and the enemy so that we can stay home safe while they take care of this harsh and dangerous, sometimes necessary business called war.

"The Book of Eli":
Visually stunning movie, a bit religious for me but I liked the movie. It's a story of what happens 30 years after the Apocalypse or "The last war" and few who survived the war were fighting to survive in chaos. One man called Eli has "The book" and walks across the country (USA) to the West trying to protect the sacred book which is supposed to save the humanity. Yes, it's a British guy who welcomes him at the Alcatraz, prints out the book which was retold by Eli's memory and stores it in a shelf along with other holy books but I didn't see the "Gita" among the books, where is it?! And does it always have to be a British guy who saves us all from every situation? ;D
Moreover the reason why I went to see this movie is because I LOVE Denzel Washington, a very handsome (still!) old guy and a great actor. I had to drag my family members to watch this movie but I did it! :P

"Paranormal activity" and "The Final Destination" are the other two movies I watched last week but I wouldn't recommend them particularly unless you are a fan of such genre of movies. I do like horror/scary/thriller movies!

I didn't have much time to read books for the past few days. I am yet to read the Kindle edition of Reader's Digest, will try and do it today.

Have a great rest of the week, see you all next Wednesday. I am planning to bake a bread for next week but don't know it will happen, will see! :)

139 comments:

Finla said...

I would love to have the soft lookingparathas with that kurma.
Here we all are sick. Hans fel sick and he is on sick leave from monday till today, and then i am sick too i hav ethis baement cough and soar throat again. Shyama had high fever today morning so had to take her to the doc, she is in antibiotics. Hans is leaving tomow to NJ. He willbe back on monday.

notyet100 said...

i luv the idlis i think so i will try them..wish u hppy week ahead,..;-)

Nandinis food said...

Wow! I love the contraption of setting bowls and wooden skewers to make rava idlis! It's useful for people who don't have idli templates! The kurma is delectable with that combo of potato and carrot! My husband asks me to make the kurma with plantain and beetroot (weirdo). The parathas must be suitable with dal makhni! Slurp!
Grave Digger is a scary name! Brrr! Maybe just by the name, they let him win! LOL
I'll try to watch 'The Hurt Locker' and 'The Book of Eli'.

A journey called Life said...

Lovely quaint lil house MLK's is..
loved ur idea of the rava idli in a bowl and also the approach to make it in a pressure cooker (using chopsticks as barriers).. thanks for a detailed account..
i loved the dalmation truck too.. looked cute..
will look forward to ur bread recipie next week, slowly getting hooked to baking..u have a fab week too Ashaji :)

Jaya M said...

Asha,
all look so delicious and Iam eyeing that flax seed chutney powder,it would be so mouth-watering in any other stir/fry dishes even :)...
MLK , what a personality he was, heard monday was holiday specially for this great leader in US ...
hugs and smiles

Divya Kudua said...

Rava idlies look so cute..:).We get ready mixes for rava idly here,I tried it once and didn't like it much.My mom and mil make a simple version mixing up steamed rava with urad dal batter,adding chopped green chillies and ginger.Love that one and I gobble up nearly 4 or 5 at one go:).

Love the combo of kurma and peanut chutney.Waiting to see the Bread post:):)

Malar Gandhi said...

Those parathas are like silk, cho soft and very very inviting.

Yeah, masala rava idlies are heaven by themselves...you made a wonderful side dishes to go with it, absolutely no dispute at the dinner table:)

I am a crazy horror movie fan, love to watch them all by myself, alone at late night, he he. I enjoyed 'final destination', I can hear ppl call me 'sick', he he...

Shammi said...

I saw "The Book of Eli" too - not a bad movie, but so many HOLES in the storyline and continuity :) Still, quite enjoyed it and was quite peeved not to see any Hindu religious texts in the last scene, when the curator puts the Bible on the shelf between the Koran and some Jewish texts! Hmph! :)

Also, I only agreed to watch it (my husband was very keen) because of Denzel Washington - he used to be SO HAWT when he was younger! :) And he's quite a nice looking old guy now. Shame he had to grow old...

sra said...

have bought - and wasted - unopened packets of flax seeds twice so I decided that's the end of flax seeds for me.

Am going to Avatar tonite - late to the party, I know - but always late for movies, me! Looking forward to it. Have begun reading a book by David Sedaris - funny!

Rachana said...

A very delicious wholesome meal :) I am so hungry at the moment that I could finish off the thali:)

LifenSpice said...

Ashakka, you wont believe I was going to post Rava Idli tomorrow. This is sucha coincidence! Now I dont know if I will:)

I liked that Kurma and chutney powder too.

Pari Vasisht said...

Hi. The rava idli reminds me that I have not made them in ages. Whenever we visit Bangalore love to eat these in SLV. I liked your idea of using ceramic bowl.
I like this peanut chutney with bhakri too.take care.

Raaga said...

I would die for a plate of those rave idlis... have been looking for a good recipe...shall try yours soon :)

How are you? It is biting cold here... am sitting with a mug of hot tomato soup!

chef and her kitchen said...

I love rava idlis with saagu..those idlies look perfect dear...I loved the idea of spreading chutney powder when layer the paratha..

FH said...

Thanks girls, it was fun experimenting with bowls and Chop sticks to make Idlis! :))

Raaga, I am good. It is 60F today, very warm and sunny but temp is going down again tomorrow to 39F. Time for jackets and soups again for us! :D

Parita said...

Masala idlis look fantastic and so does potato carrot kurma!

ranji said...

Wow!! what a feast..am blog hopping after a really long time,seeing this post i realise how much i miss it..
love the method u prepared the idlis...those gigantic idlis look gotgeous...
i loved the peanut chutney u previously made that one was awesome...so i can imagine this one will be equally delicious..will make this one too..

carrot potato kurma loks divine...mouth watering photo

those layered parathas look so soft and flaky...yummmm...

happy to see u back in action Asha after a long time!!

Ranjani said...

I've been meaning to make rava idlis for the longest time-yours look amazing! I'm bookmarking this recipe and I'll try making it once I get one of those idli plate thingies. Good luck on the bread baking adventure-hope it rises well:)

Meera said...

Loved your delicious feast as always. I too make flax seeds chutney. Even made garlic chutney. Tastes good. Thanks for sharing MLK house picture.

Cham said...

We do have a wet weather in CA but much needed I don't blame except while driving in high wind!
Thanks 2 the virtual tour of Jr.MLK's house!
Steaming the idlis in bowl stacked , another new idea. I love rave idli and potato sago :)
I ve seen tons of flax seeds chutney in blogs, the parathas should be winner!

Gita Jaishankar said...

Thats a pretty house of MLK...you must have had a good time visiting there :) Lovely colorful platter...I have never tried kurma with rava idlis...sounds very delicious, next time I am going to try your combination when I make rava idlis :)

Unknown said...

Rava idlies is one of my fav.. looks so yum. These day I too have started to add flaxseeds powders..more nutirion. Have a nice weekend.

Vrinda said...

I use flax seeds in most of my cooking,but making chutney powder is new to me..will try,thanx for sharing,masala idli looks so tempting,first time here,gr8 blog,will be back often...

Pravs said...

kurma is so different from mine :) good to see we posted korma, same time. Flax seed chutney powder is so new..must be so nice with idli too, right ?

FH said...

Pravs, if you make Flax chutney pd spicy excellent with plain Idlis too! :))

lata raja said...

The peanut chutney and the kurma are so simple to make recipes. I am sure the combination was just awesome.

Red Chillies said...

Enjoying the pleasant weather here too, Asha :-) I love the combination of rava idli and kurma whenever I am hungry. Looks good.

I have a box of flax seed powder, that I need to use. Hopefully this recipe will inspire me.

Ramya's Mane Adige said...

Ashakka!!!! hegidira?? I'm here on foodies hope after so long.... Just in case you weren't aware, N and I are blessed w/ a baby boy! hez 3 months old now.... :) magana jothe bz idde, ishtu dina. Hoping to start blogging regularly from now on. those rava idlis look so soft and fluffy!! I've always wanted to watch Monster truck Jam, aadre aagle illa :(
Anyway, winter hegide alli?? I'm so glad I'm in India... wudn't hv been able to bear another chicago winter :P

Recipeswap said...

I really like that u pack so much info all in one post.rava idli reminds me of Shanti sagar idlis.

indosungod said...

What a feast Asha. Those rava idlis are making me hungry. the layered parathas too.

We got a few days of warmth too before the thaw sets in again.

The flax powder chutney powder, got to try that one.

Shri said...

The masala idlis look supersoft!I heard abt Hurt Locker but never got a chance to watch..With a 2 yr old in the house, you are stuck with Dora most of the time!
The parathas and kurma are very tempting!

Priya Suresh said...

Wat a fabulous feast...woow just love flax seed powder and that flaky paratha..makes me hungry..

Namitha said...

Yummy platter...idlis look soft and yumm..Using cereal bowls is a great idea..:-)Kurma would make a perfect combo with this idli..Yet to try flaxseeds..thanks Asha !!

Mayuri said...

Liked the idea of gigantic idlis and awesome kurma !! the parathas stuffed with chutney powder is tempting !! specially if adults like spicy parathas.

FH said...

Ramya, congratulations!
Enjoy your baby boy, they grow up too fast. I know you moved to India, lucky you. Yes, we have crazy weather these days here; cold, warm and rainy all in 2 week's time, it's crazy! :D

KALVA said...

nice spead of dishes. i have posted my kurma recipe too

Anonymous said...

What a nice way of using bowls to steam idlis.will try that the next time I make idli's.Between tried the ridgegourd chutney and it was delicious with hot rice.Also tried your version of basundi and they were delicious too.A big thanks to you. Shalini

Smita said...

yum! I have always used instant mix for rava idly and this is an awesome recipe! will definitely try!

Lakshmi said...

Rave idli looks wonderful atleast my hubby was happy to see so much of kottambari soppu added to it :D Potato Kurma madilla yavattu try madthini omme. Your way of steaming idlis remind me of my hostel days where I used to make idlis in a steel cup. Staying in Bihar and keeping away from idlis..only I know the difficulty and I had tried all methods to make idlis and it was always fun.

Shilpa said...

Those idlis look great Asha. I would love to try it sometime.
My aayi makes Flax seed chutney, her recipe is very different though.

suvi said...

I have never made rava idlis. I kow they are yum and delicious, but somehow, I never got around to making them! Lovely combo of peanut chutney and korma.
Great idea to make the parathas with the podi, I have a packet of flax seeds aging somewhere in the pantry!

Margie said...

Everything looks so good, Asha!
Your posts are always done so wonderfully!
I always enjoy seeing the new recipes and your pictures are great!

Thank you and enjoy the rest of your week!

Margie:)

Bong Mom said...

Asha
First thanks for the Flax seed chutney powder recipe. Everytime I roast and grind flax seeds and then forget to use it !!!! This will surely move fast

Next is the Kurma, I have never tried a "Kurma", is it a Kannadiga thing ? But I am planning to make it soon now, have too many carrots anyway :)

Anonymous said...

MLK's house is really pretty! It must have nice to tke a tour. Your idlis look superb and so do the kurma,chutney and parantha.

Unknown said...

Love the idea of adding flax seeds to the podis. Layered paratha sounds great!

Nandinis food said...

OOPS! Instead of wooden chopsticks I wrote skewers. Sorry!

dsdsds said...

Those Rava idlies look awesome Ashaji.. I missed your posts a lot..mainly the review on the films and the books.. Nice post on MLK house and the monster trucks..

Rahin said...

Asha thats quite a delicious meal with the idlis , korma,n chutney , makes me hungry for some :)

Pooja V said...

I really loved the chutney. I am making it this sat with chutney. Btw I am back in India now so no more chilli months now...yippie &loads of chaat.

Srivalli said...

Ah..mom's rava idlis are always great right?..:)..yours look tempting too..and love the side dishes..what do you mean you were thinking what to post, I am sure you have loads of those lovely bakes that you do..:))

and I want to know one thing, how does Finla always manages to write the first comment, do you tell her..heheheh..:)

Cilantro said...

Lovely pictures, great recipes too. Should try the flax seed chutney powder soon.

amna said...

rave idli has been on my mind for a long long time now. i love them with onion-tomato chutney

Chitra said...

Iam here after a long time..Nice to c u back..This post is very useful to me becoz so many new recipes to try..Thanks asha ji :)

Miri said...

Flax seed parathas? really interesting - am wondering now how it would taste - better find out!

krystyna said...

I always like reading your posts, because beside the great recipes, you write something more, something interesting. I've never seen the house of Martin Luther. Thanks for the photo. ...

Flax seeds are healthy, especially for stomach problems, but as you wrote it should not be overeat. Recipe of Flax seed powder is a good idea.

Have a wonderful day!

FH said...

Thanks girls, enjoy reading and blogging and watching movies! :))

Sandeepa, Kurma is a south Indian but mainly Karnataka word, usually spelled Kurma instead of Korma or Qorma, slightly different ingredients too than a North Indian Korma. Try it! :)

Sri, she knows I post early morning on every Wednesday, so Finla catches me early I guess! :D

Sushma Mallya said...

wow so many yummy and interesting dishes,loved each one of it esp the idlis...

Hayley said...

Dear Asha

Masala idli, potato kurma and paratha looks yummy...very tempting..got to try flexseeds chutney..new to me..:))

ruchikacooks said...

Rava idlis and kharatbath, can have them everyday..The parathas look so flaky ashaji..

Hege idhira? Nanige kannada barudhilla.Nanna mane hubby speaks kannada, he is from Bglore and he is my translator. My knowledge is improving with along with my ragi mudde and chirotti :D

Yasmeen said...

Flax podi must be really spicy and nutritious,I'm trying it soon.Best wishes to MLK Jr. :D

Sayantani said...

What a co incidence Asha. I also made rava idli yesterday for the first time. though it was nt fluffy as yours but tasted great. love the peanut chutney. will make it next time.

Shivapriya said...

I stuff Nish's paratha's with peanut and pupmkin powders. He loves them will post it sometime. Its still in 40's in NJ:(

The only way I eat peanuts is chutney and love it.

Unknown said...

Everything looks so delicious..Flax seed chutney powder is so new..
sounds interesting...bet it must have tasted great...can't wait to try..Thanks for sharing!!

FH said...

SP, peanuts and Pumpkin seeds sounds like a great combo, never thought of that. A must try for me, will wait for your post! :))

Ruchika, that is good, learn Kannada from hubby! Glad to know you are trying Mudde and Chiroti as well, always good to try new stuff! :))

Sucharitha said...

Hi Asha, thanks for visiting Krishnaarpanam. Would love to try the quinoa dosa. If possible could you please send me the link of the recipe. Thanx

Soma said...

I am bookmarking the rawa idli and the flax seed powder.

The carrot kurma looks really good. poppy seeds.. mmmmmm..

sra said...

Asha, I was going to tell you he's from Raleigh, NC - I've progressed a little further and found out that fact.

roma said...

rawa idly and potato kurma looks delicious. It makes a great combination really.

jayasree said...

Loved the idea of bowls and chopstick arrangement. It must be helpful for those with out idli stand.

Liked the layered paratha with flaxseeds powder.

Sum Raj said...

woo wht a delicious platter...will try out ur peanut chutney...adding tender coriander stems are quite interesting...

Raks said...

Mouthwatering dishes,I love the masala rava idly the best,it all looking fluffy and soft!Love teh kurma and paratha too Asha!

gtyuk said...

what a delicious treat you have there!! particularly, that flax seed chutney powder in those delicious layered Parathas, miam miam, it's ravishing!!!

I saw both final destination and Final destination 2 too, loved both of them! sometimes, it makes me feel so good to forget myself and go out of reality :):)

Usha said...

Loved your neat trick of steaming idlis without the idli plates ! The idli, kurma, chutney and flax chutney all look very inviting and yum ! I am definitely going to try the flax chutney,I can never seem to get enough of flax in chutney powders:-)

Uma said...

Tempting platter again!! Loved all the dishes. Yum :) Happy Weekend!!

Preety said...

i am thinking of trying rava idlis for sometime..but today seeing your pics i am tempted to try today..will try today and let you know..

ruchikacooks said...

Thank you for giving the link ashaji. We had it like a light snack when I made this in the evening ;)
I am already in for the gojju. Their rava dosa is so crispy and product wise their ready to eat are the best any day, but I heard some of their food products are owned by a swiss company now..

Akki rotti is his fav tea time snack..or for a quick one before oota time And ellubelle during pongal just to munch..

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

Those enormous idlis oh I will be so glad having those nice steaming idlies and spicy chutney... The potato curry looks mouthwatering should go well with the rava idlis..

FoodLovers said...

Happy to see u back Asha with yummy recipes ...

FH said...

Thanks to all of you girls, enjoy the weekend. See you all next week! :))

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

that's a big fluffy idli! nice.. flax seed powder sounds healthy.

ruchikacooks said...

Thank you. Have a great weekend. N also says Hi. We hit the 70's today and it is so pleasant here ;)

I am gonna try a whole lot of Bglore foods now (even if it goes wrong, will turn up here for fixing it)

Manasi said...

Oh I love Rava Idlis! Reminds me of MTR ,B'lore everytime!
But cereal bowls? can they stand that amount of heat?
The parathas looks so soft! I'd love one!( Flaxseed chutney is new to me)

That truck is a monster... now, what do they do with those? race? and what names!! grave digger.... eep!

MLK's house is quiant..

Archana said...

Nice idlis Asha, never tried making it at home from scratch - always used the ready mix from MTR..That paratha looks really nice - heard a lot about flax seeds, must try thie chutney pudi...

Dershana said...

asha, that's one tremendous idli. and i like that acrobatic idli making!!i make rava idli (ingredients)the same way. that's a great idea to use flax seed. the last time i bought a pack, they ended up as pancakes and nothing else.

Anu said...

Hi Asha...how r u...Idli's are looking simply superb.

I saw u back after a long time..Happy to c u again dear. Hope everything is fine now.

After seeing your blog I too started a food blog now.

Have a look at my blog.


http://ravisanu.blogspot.com/
http://foodyhungama.blogspot.com/


Anu

FH said...

Enjoy your weekend girls, see you early Monday morning.

Manasi, I will reply in your blog! :)

Anu, welcome to blogging, enjoy.

Hayley said...

Hi Asha I would like to share an award with you, please collect it from my blog...

Veggie Hut said...

lovely space.. I am bowled out! an insatant follower!

Cheers

Jyoti

www.theveggiehut.blogspot.com

Rajani@eatwritethink said...

everything looks fantastic! thanks for sharing the pic of Martin Luther King, Jr! my rava idlis never come out right, but i am filled with hope again seeing your recipe... i could give it another shot! and very interested in your flaxseed chutney pody! i've had sunflower seed shutney powder in rural maharashtra! and i loved it, this must be yum particlularly the way youve layered it in paratha.

FH said...

Thanks Jagruti, I will collect shortly.

Have a wonderful weekend girls! :)

DK said...

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh :(

Now who will feed me Rava Idlis?????????

Why do you have to live so damn far away from me? The world is shrinking yet you are so far away :(

OK I now need some idlis...

DK said...

TADA! I went and searched my pantry and what do I find? Instant Rava Idlis packet - I am so blessed! Will enjoy them for lunch...yeah yeah I know its nothing like yours...but be happy that my grumbling stomach is no longer cursing you for putting it in such a state...

aaah-- idlis and peanut chutney..am in heaven already!

FH said...

DK, glad you got your instant idli fix. YAY!! Enjoy girl.
I tried MTR Idli mix once, liked it. But I go to Indian store only once in 3 mnts, so they expire before even I remember to use them. I end up throwing them away, I try not to buy the too many instant ones. We do love and stock SWAD ready made gravies, Trisha takes it to dorm as well,specially Palak Paneer! :)

Lisa Johnson said...

LOL! I have to laugh about your description of Dezel as a handsome old guy. I guess he is getting up there in age. I guess me too! ; )

I am kind of curious about the movie. Maybe I'll see it. Have a great week Asha!

ವನಿತಾ / Vanitha said...

Hii Ashakka..(hope u don't mind)
I've been following ur blog from quite sometime now..as u say im a ghost (silent) reader..ha ha:-) just luv the way u write.
I've a blog in Kannada..(In a way of appreciation to my MOM n MIL..who cannot read English)..Do drop by in ur leisure..
Enjoy

ruchikacooks said...

Whether you believe in god or not,it is their personal view, but the architecture is amazing! Sometimes I feel sorry for the babies like one or two months old who are there in a queue to see the deity in the temples..it should be suffocating with the crowd and sounds :(

Suparna said...

Hi Asha,
Good to see u back with a bang!! Hope your kids are doing good, Wishing u and ur Family an very wonderful year ahead!!
Belated Ugadi wishes too!
Loved the fantastic spread u've presented. The flax seed chutney powder paratha is a superb idea!! with the health benifits of flax seeds doing the rounds...am sure ur recipe will be a keeper for many!!
I am on an unofficial break(had guests, went out for the new years,fell sick, recovered, still on medication ) from blogging shall take some more time to come back..but shall do the blog hopping whenever possible.
Am glad to see u Asha :)
Wish to see more posts from u!!!
God bless
TC

Rekha said...

hey Asha, good to see u back..missed ur last two posts. Somehow, i am unable to come up with a rava idli that tastes like the restaurant one, my mission is to succeed in getting it right! Flax seeds chutney pudi looks healthy and delicious.

J said...

I have been lazy about making idlis and the only time I did they turned out hard! But I will make these instant rava idlis, I'm sure my baby who's started on solids will love them! I like the way you used ceramic bowls and chopsticks, something smart I learnt here today!! And will try the peanut chutney too! My menu for today is fixed, thankyou!

FH said...

Ruchika, true! It's so hard to see the babies almost crushed in the crowd and in such hot weather too, not worth the trip sometimes.

Vanitha, welcome, will check out Kannada blog.

J, good to see you girl. This is the easiest once you roast the Rava, try it. Adjust the water as Ravas are different sizes and qualities.

LifenSpice said...

Ashakka, I downloaded the rava idli pics and they were bad! Will post it next week.
Waiting for your wednesday post:)

FH said...

K, glad you tried girl, hope you liked the taste. Did you mean your Rava Idli pics didn't come out well? That's okay, post them anyway! :)

FH said...

Anali, we ladies don't age, remember? Only men age, but we are always stuck at our 28th birthdays!! Hahaha!!

SE said...

hey asha..thanks for stopping by...nice pictures and good to know you had a great time..yummy recipes and I also see the flax seed chutney !!! nice !

Faiza Ali said...

I love those masala rava idlis...reminds me of home. even my mom used to make peanut chutney with idlis.

AnuSriram said...

Wow.. thats filling! Rava idlis are my favourite.. U make me drool! Love your podi parathas too..
I usually make those triangular layered parathas by brushing some ghee and sprinkling some flour. Have to try with your podi.... Sounds different and delicious!

Madhavi said...

Oh man those rava idlis looks awesome, m hungry now :))

Sunitha said...

Lovely thats a lot of cooking you've done.. thanks for sharing

ruchikacooks said...

He hee... I was surprised when I found a priest talking to me in tamil in a temple here (actually they were asking me where are you from in telugu, tamil and english. Here in TX, we have a huge meenakshi temple, they even had a chariot made out of silver, got it from India and took the deities around the block..Traffic was stopped and near by school buses were used for transportation :D

The Swaminarayan temple, we visit only for their canteen.They make this awesome gobi manchoorian on sundays and chinese dishes!!Their fire show for diwali lasted for an hour!! Longer than the one conducted for 4th of july and was spectacular!

rrh said...

namskar
thanks for coming back,mathye nimma recipe madalu avkash madiruvudhakye.bahala yochanye madtahaeedhye nivu blog stop madidhakye.hopefully everything looks fine now.nivu 3idiots nodiruveralva adharalli amirkhan message nididhanye "ALLISWELL".yenye adhru vallyedhakye anttha baavisuvudhu ,ijust want to say u have lot wellwishers u get more strength&goodluck for newyear

Pavithra Kodical said...

Perfect rava idlies, looks same as how we get in India..I have tried so many times, but still unable to get it perfectly soft. Will try your recipe next time.. Wow nice idea of using flax seed..I always add it to my fruit juice and drink..

shankari said...

I love how the idlis look..and yeah those soft parathas. One of the booths at the Fancy Food show in SF had flax seed chutney!!

Padhu Sankar said...

Layered Paratha looks great! New here .Do drop by
http://padhuskitchen.blogspot.com/ when time permits

Ash said...

Hey Asha,

Hmm... This was a moment to be remembered forever..because... It felt good... One Asha receiving an appreciation from the other ASHA.... Thanks to you for sharing your love on my post... It really meant a lot...

That was a lovely house where HE was born.... & I am sure u have enjoyed the JAM to the core... I have watched it in movies though... It is looks kinda interesting...

I loved the lovely rava idly... I love them a lot... I hardly prepared breakfast.. often outside.. So I Enjoy these sumptuous idlies a lot... Healthy & guilt free u c!!!!!

And WOW!!! That parata with chutney powder, is simply tempting me to roll & thrust it in my mouth.... I loved the presentation & the capture of its taste too... & the comments are truly deserved..

Hope to c u around more often....

Ash...
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

FH said...

Thanks to all of you ladies, always a pleasure to hear from you. Have a great Tuesday, see you all soon in your blogs! :)

rrh, I had to come back for friends like you. I thought of giving up but once I started to post, I felt lot better and I know how lucky I am to have well wishers like you and others.
Naanu nimma haage elladu olladakke agatte, enadru purpose idde iratte yava kashta adru antaane nambike ide. Adrindaane badukoke easy, alva? :))

Finla said...

I remember your special turkish coffee pot for click, here is a link were you can find how to make coffee with that special pot.
http://rosas-yummy-yums.blogspot.com/2010/01/turkish-coffee-cafe-turc.html

Hans is back from US and he bought a new camera, still have not used for blogging i have to first get o know the camera. I am soooooooooooooooo happy :-)))) as i have a new camera. Was some 250 euros cheaper there than here.

FH said...

YAY!! So good of Hans to get you a new camera. I bought a small one too but Trisha took that to college, so I am back to my old camera again! :D

I will check that out, never used that Turkish coffee pot, it's on the fireplace mantle for show! Hahaha.

Finla said...

Now you can try and use them as i remember all of us were cruious about that gadget. Hi hi kids always take the new things and leave us with the old ones :-)

FH said...

LOL! Finla, she takes some of my shoes, slippers and jackets too! I am left with few she doesn't like! :P

Urmi said...

Wish you and your family a very Happy Republic Day.
I appreciate for your wonderful presentation with mouth watering pictures. Lovely recipe.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

What gorgeous food! So flavorful and delicious looking!

That house is so pretty!

Cheers,

Rosa

FH said...

Thanks Babli and Rosa, have a great day! :))

ruchikacooks said...

Enjoy Ashaji!! My indoor times are over, sun is at 69 today and I am in the garden. Broccoli has survived, got a cute lil one on top. Eagerly waiting for your post for tomorrow. Did you bake a bread?

FH said...

69? I will move there girl. It's cold here, it rained the whole day y'day. Watching MJ's "This is it!" now.

Yes I did bake, coming up tomorrow. Enjoy the Broccoli, cute, sounds good to me! :)

Nehal said...

The masala idlies look yummy. Will surely try it once.

Pavithra Kodical said...

Thanks Asha akka for responding. I will follow your instruction and try :)

J said...

I made these rava idlies yesterday and they were awesome! Had it with sambar but I'll make that peanut chutney next time. Does the batter keep well for a day or two in the fridge? will the idlis dry out if I pack them for lunch? I used steel vatis to steam the idlis since my idli mould has tiny holes in it and the water from the batter was leaking out! I was missing home so much eating these! My mum has never made rava idlis and I'm going to mail her a link of this recipe...haha!

s said...

the idlis looks sooo good..and the paratha so soft..i want it all!!!! Loved reading ur post.

FH said...

Jyotsna, idli moulds with holes are not good for these Rava mixture girl. Reason being unlike rice and urad idli batter is thick and gooey and holds it without leaking but Rava and water mix is not glutenous, and with holes, it will leak and loose water which makes the idlis hard. Use the mould without the holes if you can or use Katoris to steam, take time though to steam 2 or 3 at a time.

Can't keep the Rava idli+Buttermilk mix more than 10-15mins outside once it is mixed with Buttermilk, because Rava tends to get too soft and slimy, my experience!! But you can mix all the seasoning, herbs and can keep in the fridge. When you are ready to make Idlis, mix in Buttermilk, wait for 10mins and steam, It will be fine.

As for taking them to lunch in box,they will be fine but Rava Idlis do tend to get a bit dry, but if you can Microwave them quickly with a sprinkling of water, they are fine. Still tastes good with Sambhar anyway.

Thanks for trying, enjoy! :)

EC said...

Rava idlis are the first option for me whenever I need a quick and non messy breakfast..Have never used flax seeds..need to try them sometime

Kajal - Aapplemint said...

Why is that every time i come to your blog, i feel so hungry and almost start salivating on my PC, not to mention, how hopeless i feel, as i am so lazy compared to you !
Monsterjam ...wow that must've been fun :))

FH said...

Kajal, thanks girl. No, you are not lazy at all! I have to cook everyday for my family anyway, so I just get the photos and type in the recipes to post here. No big deal! :)
Monster Truck Jam was really good, enjoyed it.

Myvegfare said...

wow!!, that's what went into my mind when I saw your Idlis, my hubby will love it they are so big!!, A great idea of making them, what a inspirational idea asha!! , this is what i am going to do now for break fast, I think every morning what shall i do for breakfast!!, sometimes they never come to your mind!!, I know my kids don't like rava idlis but that's ok, love the kurma and peanut chutney i too use flax seed in my baking, but still haven't planned make a powder out of it. will try it soon once all the powders my hubby has made is over!! (he is a maniac of making all paruppu (dal) podis!!

FH said...

Hi Jaya, glad you and hubby enjoys the Podis.They are yummy, with Flax seeds, they are even healthier when eaten in moderation. Enjoy! :))

Dilshad said...

hey Asha..........

im a silent reader of food blogs......sterday was the first time i saw ur blog and tried rava Idli, It turned out great and my hubby liked it so much as well........Thanks for your simple but very tasty rav Idli recipe.....

FH said...

Dillu, thank you so much for trying the Rava idlis and for the feedback as well. Always feels good to hear others enjoyed them too. Enjoy, hugs! :))

Unknown said...

Hi Asha,

Great recipes... Have tried some..and liked a lot

FH said...

Glad you tried and liked it Lakshmi, enjoy and thanks for the feedback too! :)

ushaprashanth said...

Hi!
rava idli looks yummy. this is a new idea of making rava idlis. and flax seed chutney powder in paratha is a great one. I wondered how to use the flax seeds in food items. this seems very good.