Rawa Idli

Rawa Idli is a speciality of the state of Karnataka and was invented by the popular restaurant chain, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) when during World War II, when rice was in short supply, MTR experimented in making idli using Rawa and hence Rawa idli was invented.
Lightly roasted rawa/semolina with a seasoning of mustard seeds, green chillies and ginger which is whisked with a mixture of yogurt/curd is ready to be steamed. Unlike traditional idlis, which takes almost a day for preparation of the batter, these rawa based puffed idli hardly needs preparation and can be made in a jiffy. This is one of the quick recipe I enjoy preparing when I have unexpected guests.

Rawa Idli with Thengai/coconut chutney & Vengaya chutney.

Rava Idli/Idly/Rawai idli

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup rawai/cream of wheat/semolina/sooji
2. 2 cups well beaten thick yogurt/curd
3. 2 tablespoons oil
4. 1 teaspoon clarified butter/ghee
5. 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
6. 1 tablespoon grated ginger
7. 1 teaspoon finely chopped green chillies
8. 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander leaves.
9. 1 teaspoon salt
10. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
11. 2 tablesoon roasted cashewnuts (optional)

For seasoning:

1. 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2. 1 teaspoon curry leaves
3. a pinch of asafoetida.

Prodedure:

1. Heat a tablespoons oil and fry the rawa for about 5 minutes and keep aside.
2. Heat a tablespoon of clarified butter/ ghee, fry the cashewnuts till golden. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl mix the rawa/semolina, ginger, chilies, coriander leaves, curds, baking soda and salt, using very little water. The batter should be thick and of pouring consistency.
4. Heat the remaining oil and add mustard for seasoning. When the mustard seeds, splutter, add curry leaves and asafoetida and mix well into the the batter. Let the batter sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes check the consistency of the batter. If it is too thick add some more water to bring it to the idli batter consistency. Finally add the fried cashewnuts.
5. Pour the rava batter into idli plates and steam the idlis for about 10 minutes. Remove the rawa idlis, add a dash of ghee on top of Rava Idli and serve hot with chutney or sambar.

Tips: Grated coconut, carrots and spices of your choice can be added to the batter before steaming.