Steamed Semolina Cakes with oats,millet ,flaxmeal and squash( rava idli)

                                                 

Steamed semolina cakes called rava idli( pronounced eedly) is a popular south Indian breakfast . They are usually steamed in stainless steel moulds or steel bowls in a stockpot.
Since they are steamed with yogurt , these cakes aid in digestion.

But I prefer to make this for our bento since it can be prepared either instantly or a day in advance and don't need any fermentation.

Regular recipe uses just semolina and yogurt. But I prefer to use other grains too with vegetables and turn it into a complete meal.



Ingredients you need:

1.25 cup Coarse Semolina ( bunsi rava)
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
1 large jalapeno finely chopped
1 sprig curry leaves
1 teaspoon sesame

0.25 cup  coarsely powdered old fashioned oats
2 tablespoon flaxmeal
3 tablespoon millet ( powdered ragi)
1 tablespoon split bengal gram ( chana daal)
2 tablespoon sliced almonds or broken cashews

1/2 chayote squash finely chopped
1/2 medium sized carrot finely chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro chopped

1lb yogurt  or less , diluted with water  and consistency in between thick yogurt and buttermilk.

Method:
In a large wok, add 3 tablespoon canola oil and splutter the mustard seeds, immediately mix the jalapenos, the grams, nuts, sesame and curry leaves. When they roast slightly, mix the semolina, millet ,oats and the flaxmeal and roast them on medium heat.
Add salt as per your taste. And turn off the gas..
Let them cool.

After a few minutes , blend in the yogurt ,mixing the batter  simultaneously.  Add the chopped veggies and cilantro.
Batter should be of a thickish consistency , still pourable into the moulds. Beat the batter for atleast 3 mins to make the cakes fluffy and soft. I don't recommend using baking soda since it creates bloatedness.

Keep aside for 10 minutes .Pour them into the greased
moulds and steam for 12 minutes on medium heat in a stockpot.


Alternatives:
You could add bulgur wheat/ quinoa instead of oats.
For veggies, cucumber could be a substitute for the squash and pumpkin or butternut squash in place of carrots.

Do eyeball the yogurt proportion .I used 1 lb of Trader Joe's organic yogurt , but proportion may differ with other brands.
Yogurt should be just enough to make the batter.
Don't forget to grease the moulds with olive/ canola oil.