Rava Idli Recipe using Instant Mix

Recipe to make rava idli using store bought instant rava-idli mix. This is a quick and easy way to make soft, fluffy and delicious idli in no time.

I am not a big fan of store-bought ready to eat products. Though I know some of them are really good because they are convenient and tasty. I try to make everything from scratch. I keep stock of basic ingredients needed for most of the dishes and it doesn't seem cost effective to buy ready to cook foods again.

But life happens and these ready-to-eat products come in very handy when we are pinched for time. So, I have started stocking up on a few items like this 'Instant Rava Idli mix' and 'Instant Rava dosa mix'. These two have been quite a life savers for me.

What is in Instant Rava Idli Mix?

The main ingredient in rava idli is fine sooji or semolina which is roasted until golden. It is then mixed with sour yogurt, other flavor ingredients and allowed to rest for at least 30 minutes. Then a pinch of ENO or baking soda are added and steamed to make the idli.

But in the instant version, the mix already has roasted sooji aka rava, salt, tempering ingredients and raising agent. It also have ginger, green chili mixed in. So there is no need to let the batter rest before making idli, which makes it quick, easy and very convenient.

Ingredients

You need is the Rava idli mix. I've used MTR brand & GITS brand instant mixes. Both of these make delicious, soft idlis. So, depending on the availability in your region, get either one of these.

I add some chopped cilantro just to make the idli taste fresh. This is completely optional.

Instructions

Depending on the number of people you are cooking for, you may want to use only 1 cup of instant mix or make the entire packet at once. I am including instructions for all the options:

• 1 cup of Instant rava idli mix - Makes 8 Idli (serves 1-2 people)
  • Mix with ½ cup of buttermilk/ sour yogurt and mix to form a thick batter. Set aside for 1 min.
  • Add 1 more cup of buttermilk/ sour yogurt and mix well to combine. Set aside for 2 more mins. Stir in chopped cilantro. If the batter seems too thick, add a little bit more water.
  • Steam the batter in greased idli molds in an idli cooker or steamer for 10~12 mins.
• 200gms GITS Instant idli mix - Makes 12 Idli (serves 2-3 people)
  • Mix with 11/4 cups of buttermilk/ sour yogurt and mix to form a thick batter. Set aside for 10 min. Stir in chopped cilantro. If the batter seems too thick, add a little bit more water.
  • Steam the batter in greased idli molds in an idli cooker or steamer for 10~12 mins.
• 500gms MTR instant mix - Makes 24 Idli (serves 4-5 people)
  • Mix with 2 cup of buttermilk/ sour yogurt and mix to form a thick batter. Set aside for 1 min.
  • Add 2.5 more cups of buttermilk/ sour yogurt and mix well to combine. Set aside for 2 more mins. Stir in chopped cilantro. If the batter seems too thick, add a little bit more water.
  • Steam the batter in greased idli molds in an idli cooker or steamer for 10~12 mins.

Tips

You have the instant mix but don't have sour curd, then here are a few tips and ideas. Sour yogurt is an easy ingredient to get in India. But where I live, yogurt never gets sour even after 10 days in the fridge.

• Use store-bought buttermilk - it has a nice tangy flavor like sour yogurt and it is pretty easy to find in regular grocery stores.
• Greek yogurt - also a nice and tangy substitute but too thick. So whisk with water to thin it out.

If you want to make rava idli without yogurt or a vegan version, then

• Simply replace the yogurt in the recipe with water, but also add some lemon juice or vinegar (for 1 cup mix use 1tsp vinegar/ GITS mix = 2tsp / MTS mix = 1 tbsp)

Taste test:

The idli turn out soft, fluffy and absolutely delicious. For the minimum effort put into opening the packet and mixing in yogurt, the final product was simply excellent. I keep at least 1 packet in my pantry for emergencies. Serve with peanut chutney.

But if you have the time to make, then try one of these instant breakfast recipes:

• Quinoa Oats Idli
• Wheat rava dosa
• Rava Dosa

I served my idlis with this delicious Cilantro-coconut (milk) chutney that I made from Nupur's blog. This is one of my favorite chutney right after my absolute favorite peanut chutney.