Quinoa Idli

High in protein and fiber Quinoa Idli. Pillow-y soft savory cakes made with a combination of quinoa and lentils, and with no rice added. Serve this quinoa idli with some sambar and coconut chutney for a complete power-packed, healthy meal. This recipe is gluten-free and vegan.

 

 

QUINOA IDLI

Idli or idly, is a type of savory rice cake, a popular dish from South Indian cuisine. Idli is made by steaming fermented batter made with rice and lentils. The fermentation process helps break down the starches, making them easy to digest. Pillow-y, soft idlis are served with some sambar and coconut chutney. Idli makes an excellent breakfast/brunch, lunch, or even dinner for a complete well-balanced meal.

Idli is served in Indian restaurants around the globe and is much loved by all ages. I grew up eating idli, my mom used to make it quite often. The batter consists of basic rice and lentils, soaked overnight. The next day rice and lentils were ground to a smooth consistency batter. Now, the batter was ready to be fermented. It took good 8-10 hours to ferment the batter. And finally, steam the idli. And there we had pillowy, soft idli, which I could eat any time of the day.

There are several variations of idli. Traditionally, idli is made with fermented batter, made with rice, and black gram lentil (urad dal). Rava idli is made by replacing rice with semolina (sooji).

Today, I am sharing Quinoa idli, made with a combination of quinoa and lentils, and with no rice added. This quinoa idli is light, healthy, fiber, and protein-rich. Quinoa idli can be enjoyed simply with some coconut chutney or with some sambar and coconut chutney. Either way, this quinoa idli tastes amazing!!

Pic Shown: Quinoa Idli, Udupi Sambar & Walnut Coconut Chutney

 

 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL IDLI AND QUINOA IDLI

The main difference between the traditional and the quinoa idli is the batter. Idli is traditionally made with rice and urad dal. For quinoa idli, I replaced rice with 100% quinoa and used a combination of lentils.

Idli takes the color of the grains used to make the idli batter. White rice yields white idli and quinoa yields pale yellow color idli. Quinoa and traditional idli, are equally soft and delicious.

Quinoa idli is high in fiber and protein and is a much healthier option than the traditional idli.

INGREDIENTS FOR QUINOA IDLI

FOR IDLI BATTER

1 cup  white Quinoa 

1/2 cup Urad Gota (black gram hulled)

2 tablespoon Chana dal (split chickpeas)

10-12 Fenugreek seeds (methi dana)

ADD AT THE TIME OF MAKING IDLI

salt to taste

1-2 teaspoons of oil to grease

TYPES OF LENTILS USED FOR QUINOA IDLI

Quinoa idli is made with quinoa and a combination of lentils – urad dal (split black lentils) and chana dal. Moong (whole or split, with or without husk), masoor dal (red lentils) or chana dal can be used. 

For this recipe, I have used 1 cup of quinoa, 1/2 cup of urad gota (black gram hulled), and 2 tablespoons of chana dal. Please feel free to use lentils of your choice. Make sure to include urad dal (whole or split, with or without husk).

I found this combination of quinoa and lentils adds a nice flavor and texture to the idli. The idli comes out perfect, and pillowy, soft every single time! Enjoy these healthy, quinoa idli with some sambar and coconut chutney.

Pic Shown: Quinoa Idli served with some sambar and coconut chutney

 

 

QUINOA IDLI BATTER

Making quinoa idli batter is similar to the traditional idli batter. The basic steps for preparing the idli batter remain the same. Soaking the lentils and quinoa for a few hours, grind to an idli batter consistency, and fermentation process.

Here’s a step-by-step guide, for a foolproof idli batter, to help you make perfect, pillowy-soft idli. Enjoy!

PREP FOR IDLI BATTER

Soaking lentils and quinoa for a few hours is required for a perfect idli batter consistency. Here are two ways you can soak the lentils.

CLASSIC SOAKING – Rinse the lentils thoroughly, and discard any stones or debris. Soak in double the amount of water for a minimum of 4 hours. Soak one cup of lentils and 2 cups of water, and make sure there is enough water for the lentils to re-hydrate.  

Rinse the quinoa underwater for a few minutes. Rinsing the quinoa removes its natural coating, known as saponin. It makes quinoa taste less bitter. After, the quinoa is rinsed thoroughly soak the quinoa in 2 cups of water for 4 hours.

QUICK SOAKING – I find this method very helpful. Here’s how I make idli batter: 

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat. Add lentils and cover the pot. Let it sit in hot water for two hours. After two hours, the lentils will be ready for idli batter.

Quinoa can be soaked for the same amount of time as lentils, in simply plain water.

GRIND IDLI BATTER

Grind the idli batter, using water as needed, into a smooth consistency batter. First, grind lentils using just enough water to grind. Transfer the lentils batter into a bowl.

Now, add quinoa to the blender, and using water as needed grind it into a smooth batter. Transfer the quinoa batter along with lentils batter.

Mix lentils and quinoa batter thoroughly.

The consistency of this batter is similar to a pancake batter.

 

 

Pic Shown: Quinoa Idli

 

 

FERMENT IDLI BATTER

Idli is traditionally made using fermented batter. Some recipes do not require fermentation, where you can make instant idli. Instant idli batter does not require any fermentation. Leavening agents such as baking soda or fruit salt called Eno are used instead of fermenting the idli batter. I prefer to ferment the batter for good reasons.

Fermentation is a natural process. Fermenting helps the breakdown of carbs by microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. Fermented food has a distinct tart flavor.

Fermentation promotes good bacteria, known as probiotics. It helps improve digestive health and makes food easy to digest.

Fermenting the idli batter improves its flavor and texture, and makes it light and airy.

FERMENT IDLI BATTER USING INSTANT POT

I have used an Instant pot for fermenting the idli batter. Please refer to the post later, for the traditional oven method.

You can add batter directly to the inner pot or use the pot-in-pot method.

Turn ON the yogurt (less) setting, and set it to 8 hours. Cover the inner pot with a glass lid or any plate that fits on it and let it ferment.

TRADITIONAL METHOD FOR FERMENTING IDLI BATTER

In most homes in India, this is the method used for fermenting the idli batter. The batter is left on a countertop or in a nice warm place, away from any vent or direct sunlight.

If the weather is nice and warm, the batter ferments in no time. In summer, it only takes a few hours for the batter to ferment. In winters it may take up to a day.

OVEN METHOD FOR FERMENTING IDLI BATTER

I live in a cold place and with temperatures in the single digits, I find this method quite helpful. Fermenting the batter in an oven is efficient and failproof.

I warm the oven to the lowest temperature setting and turn off the oven. Place the batter inside the oven to ferment.

Alternatively, if you have an oven light, you can leave the light on and the batter ferments beautifully.

 

 

HOW TO MAKE QUINOA IDLI

You will need an idli stand or mold to make the idli. 

Add salt to the batter and mix well.

To make idlis, grease the idli mold with some oil. I used Instant Pot to steam the idlis. To steam the idlis, any large pot or a regular steamer works just fine. Make sure that the container is big enough to fit the idli stand. 

Add 1.5 cups of water to the inner pot and select sauté (more). Cover the pot with a lid and allow the water to come to steam.

Fill the idli mold (cavity) with the batter, just up to the rim of the cavity. Do not overfill the cavity. 

 

 

Carefully, open the lid and place the idli stand inside the inner pot. Place lid and cover the pot.

Note: I used a glass lid that fits, to cover the inner pot. You can use the Instant Pot lid, with a pressure valve in the venting position.

Cancel the sauté and select a steam setting and set an EXTERNAL timer for 10 minutes.

Note: When the pressure value is in the venting position, the Instant Pot timer does not work.

For any other steaming option (not Instant Pot), steam the idli for 10 minutes.

Press Cancel, once the timer goes off. Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release. Carefully open the lid and take out the idli stand. Remove plates from the idli stand and allow the idlis to cool down for 5 minutes. Run a spoon or a knife around each idli and remove it from the cavity.

Enjoy pillowy soft, piping hot idlis with some sambar and coconut chutney.

 

 

HOW TO STORE BATTER AND IDLI

Fermented Idli batter stays good for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container. You can freeze the batter for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and use it to make idli.

Leftover cooked idlis can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Store it in an airtight container.

Idlis freeze beautifully for up to a month. Freeze it in a freezer-safe container, defrost, and reheat.

To reheat the idlis, simply place a few idlis in a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle some water and microwave for a couple of minutes.

You can reheat the Idlis in an Instant Pot. Place the idlis in an oven-safe or steel insert. Add a cup of water to the inner pot, and add the trivet. Place the bowl onto the trivet. Close the Instant Pot lid with the pressure valve in the venting position. Set external time for 5 minutes. Allow 10 minutes of natural pressure release.

Pic Shown: Quinoa Idli served with some sambar and coconut chutney

 

 

TIPS FOR PILLOW-Y SOFT QUINOA IDLI

It is important to soak the lentils well. Soak it for 4 hours or overnight. You can easily crush the lentils between your fingers. 

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly. Rinsing the quinoa helps remove its outer coating, thus making it taste less bitter.

Grind lentils and quinoa separately. Lentils must be ground to a smooth paste. Grind quinoa slightly coarse, this helps with a nice texture of idli.

You can use a wet/dry stone grinder or a simple mixer grinder to grind the lentils.

If using a mixer grinder, work in small batches. I prefer to grind the batter in batches. This helps maintain the texture of the batter. Use water as needed to grind the batter.

The consistency of the idli batter is similar to a pancake batter. It is not too thick or too thin.

Ferment the idli batter well. The fermentation process produces gas molecules or air pockets. A well-fermented idli batter has lots of air pockets and smells sour. This well-fermented batter is the key to pillowy-soft idli.

Use an external timer for steaming idlis in an Instant Pot. The instant pot timer does not work in the venting position. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT TYPE OF QUINOA TO USE

Quinoa comes in different colors – white, red, black, and tricolor. I have used white quinoa, as it is the least bitter of all.

CAN I USE RICE

Yes, you can use white or brown rice along with other ingredients. 2 tablespoons of uncooked rice or 1/3 cup of cooked rice, is good for this recipe.

Poha (flattened rice) can be substituted for rice. Take 2-3 tablespoons of poha. Rinse and soak the poha for 10 minutes. Drain the poha and grind it along with quinoa. 

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE IDLI BATTER IS FERMENTED WELL

The fermentation process takes good 8-12 hours. Keep checking the batter in-between to make sure that the fermentation is going well.

A well-fermented batter will almost double in size, will be thick, and fluffy, and will develop small bubbles or air pockets. It has a distinct tart flavor, the batter starts to smell slightly sour.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE BATTER HAS GONE BAD

Fermenting the batter longer can result in batter going bad. You will notice a change in the color of the batter, from pale yellow to light pinkish. It smells unpleasant and may develop some black spots (mold). Discard the batter, it is not safe to use.

HOW LONG DOES THE IDLI BATTER STAY FRESH

A well-fermented idli battery lasts for up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator.

You can freeze the idli batter for up to a month. Store it in a freezer-safe container. Defrost the batter in the refrigerator or on a countertop. And your idli batter is ready for some delicious homemade idli.

WHAT TYPE OF IDLI STAND TO USE

I used this stainless steel Idli stand from Amazon. Link below:

 

Pic Shown: Close-up of Quinoa Idli

 

 

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RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

I used this stainless steel Idli stand from Amazon. Link below: