Tired of the same old breakfast routine? Spice things up with our delicious and surprisingly easy Soft & Spongy Vegetable Idli recipe! This South Indian breakfast staple gets a healthy makeover with a vibrant blend of fresh vegetables, creating a light yet satisfying meal perfect for any time of day. Forget bland, dense idlis – this recipe guarantees fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness that will have your family asking for seconds. Packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor, these vegetable idlis are a fantastic way to sneak more veggies into your diet, particularly appealing to even the pickiest eaters.
This recipe cleverly incorporates the goodness of vegetables while retaining the traditional idli texture and taste. We'll guide you through each step, ensuring a successful and delightful outcome every time. Ready to embark on this culinary adventure and create the softest, spongiest vegetable idlis you've ever tasted? Let's get started!
Tools Needed
- Bowl
- Idli Steamer
- Mixer
- Pan
Ingredients
- Semolina: 1 bowl
- Curd (Yogurt): 1/2 bowl
- Capsicum (Bell Pepper)
- Ginger
- Raw Turmeric
- Green Chilies
- Tomatoes
- Salt
- Red Chili Powder
- Dry Ginger Powder
- Asafoetida (Hing)
- Eno Fruit Salt
- Mustard Oil
- Yellow Mustard Seeds
- Rye
- White Sesame Seeds
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Batter
- In a bowl, mix semolina and half a bowl of curd.
- Add your choice of vegetables (capsicum, ginger, turmeric, green chilies, tomatoes are suggested). You can add other seasonal vegetables as well.
- salt, red chili powder, dry ginger powder, and asafoetida.
- Prepare a batter similar to idli mixture consistency.




Step 2. Add Leavening and Tempering
- Add Eno fruit salt. Sprinkle some water on it.
- Prepare tadka (tempering) by heating mustard oil and adding yellow mustard seeds, rye, and white sesame seeds.
- Add tadka to the batter.



Step 3. Steam the Idlis
- Grease the idli stand and pour the batter into the molds.
- Steam the idlis for 10 minutes on low to medium flame.


Step 4. Cool and Serve
- Turn off the heat and let the idlis cool.
- Remove the idlis from the stand.


Read more: Easy Indian Bread Pudding Recipe: A Simple Dessert
Tips
- Don't add too much water initially as the vegetables will release water.
- The batter should be neither too thick nor too thin.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen vegetables in this recipe?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw them completely and squeeze out any excess water before adding them to the batter. This prevents a watery idli.
2. My idlis are hard and dense. What went wrong?
This usually happens if the batter is too thick, not fermented enough, or steamed for too long. Ensure the batter is the right consistency (like thick yogurt), ferment it for at least 4-6 hours, and steam for 8-10 minutes only.
3. What kind of vegetables can I use?
Almost any vegetable works! Carrots, beans, peas, corn, and spinach are all great options. Just chop them finely.
Enjoy your fluffy, flavorful, and healthy vegetable idlis! This recipe is a fantastic way to start your day or enjoy a light and nutritious snack. Now go forth and impress your friends and family with your newfound idli-making expertise!