Quinoa idlis are a healthy variation of the traditional South Indian breakfast dish, idli, which is usually made from a batter of fermented rice and urad dal (black gram).
By incorporating quinoa you get a modern twist on this classic dish that enhances its nutritional profile.
Quinoa is a superfood that has many health benefits: High protein content, rich in fiber, packed with vitamins and minerals & low glycemic index.
I’ve made dosas with quinoa a few times & this was the first time I tried making idlis with quinoa. Idlis turned out soft, fluffy & awesome. These wholesome, healthy & nutritious idlis are my new favourite.
I enjoyed these idlis with Chettinad style sambar, tomato chutney & idli podi.
Chettinad Style Sambar, Click Here For Recipe
Tomato Chutney, Click Here For Recipe
Quinoa Idli- Soft, Fluffy & Healthy - Steamed Recipe
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Author: Thasneen
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 16
Ingredients
- Quinoa- 1 cup
- Urad dal, split black gram- ½ cup
- Fenugreek seeds- ½ tsp
- Water- 1 cup, to grind
- Salt- ½ tsp
Instructions
- I've taken white quinoa & split black gram or urad dal.
- I didn't add rice for making these idlis & I didn't find any difference in the texture.
- If you prefer you can also add ½ cup idli rice or par boiled rice.
- With this measurement, you'll be able to make 16 idlis. For making more double or triple the recipe.
- Take the quinoa, urad dal & fenugreek seeds in a strainer, rinse under running water till the water turns clear.
- Add to a bowl, add enough water & soak for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, add the soaked quinoa, urad dal & fenugreek seeds to a blender jar, add around 1 cup water that's left in the bowl after soaking.
- Grind to a smooth batter without grains.
- The batter has to be fermented.
- I'll be using my Instant Pot for fermentation.
- Pour the batter to the stainless steel pot.
- Using your clean hand, beat the batter well.
- Keep the pot into the main Instant Pot.
- Close with the lid.
- Select Yogurt setting, set the time to 8 hours, temperature should be medium.
- If you live in a warm place, you just have to keep the batter on the countertop overnight or 8 hours.
- The next morning, I opened the Instant Pot lid, the batter has fermented well.
- Take the pot out of the main pot, combine well using a spoon.
- Add salt & combine well.
- Grease the idli moulds or plates with oil.
- Pour the batter onto each mould.
- Stack up the plates.
- Add 1 cup water to the idli or steam cooker.
- Keep the stacked up plates into the cooker, close with the lid.
- Steam cook over medium heat for a few minutes.
- While cooking in idli or steam cooker, it will emit whistles.
- When the whistle gets intense, take the cooker off the heat & let cool down a bit.
- Open the lid.
- Steaming hot quinoa idlis are ready.
- Using a spoon gently take the idlis off the plate & transfer to a plate.
- Quinoa idlis will be soft, fluffy & tastes delicious.
- Enjoy the idlis with sambar, chutney, idli podi & filter coffee.
