After Thinai Dosa (Foxtail Millet Crepes),Thinai Khara Pongal and Thinai Veg Uttapams, I wanted to experiment with rice-free recipe for Idli. The colour of the Idly might be a little off-white for those who are used to bright white Idlis, but the texture was great and it was soft too. I had made these Idlis prior to making the Thinai Uttapams, so the batter was pretty much the same. The versatile Thinai (Foxtail Millet) can replace rice in many dishes giving diabetics an advantage of eating low carb versions of everyday breakfast / snack dishes.
So, do try these and let me know how you liked them. Other healthy breakfast recipes on this blog -
If you are a fan of Idlis like us, why don't you check out the following varieties:
- Kanjivaram Idli
- Pepper Idli steamed in Banana leaf
- Lapsi Idli
- Samba Wheat Idli
- Toor Dal Idli
- Sprouts Rava Idli
- Sevai-Rava Idli
- Moong Dal Spicy Idli
- Instant Masala Beans Idli
- Mini Carrot Idli
- Poha Idli.
Prep time : 6-7 hours soaking + 20 mins grinding time + 8-12 hours fermentation time (or overnight)
Makes: approx 25 idlis
Ingredients:
- Foxtail Millet / ನವಣೆ / தினை - 3 cups (1 cup = 120 ml)
- Idli Rice - ½ cup (or replace with foxtail millet completely)
- Urad Dal (Split / Whole) - 1 cup
- Methi / Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp
- Salt - to taste
Method:
Soak Urad Dal with methi seeds in one bowl. In another bowl, wash the millet several times in running water to rid of stones / dirt. Soak along with Idli rice for 6-8 hours.
Grind the Urad dal + methi seeds to a nice fluffy paste . Remove to a large bowl. Similarly grind the millet + idli rice to a smooth but semi coarse paste. Add both the mixtures, salt and mix it thoroughly with your hands for a good 5 mins.
Transfer to a large bowl (leaving ample space for rising). Cover and keep overnight or for 8-10 hours (depending on the climate, the fermentation might take longer).
The next day, mix it well, take a ladle of the batter, steam in greased idli plates for 8-9 mins or till fully done and a skewer comes clean
Serve with Tiffin Sambhar and / or any Chutney / Molagapudi
Priya Suresh says
Thinai idli looks super fluffy, would love to have this spongy idlies for my breakfast without any fuss.
Srivalli says
Those Idlis look super inviting Kalyani!..very healthy to have made with thinai.
Harini R says
They look super fluffy, Kalyani. Would love to try them at home.
sushma says
NIce and fluffy looking idly.
Mayuri Patel says
One cannot make out that these idlis are made with millet... they look just like the normal ones. Have lots of thinai, so will try this recipe.
MySpicyKitchen says
Looking at the ildi one would not know these are made of foxtail millets. Plate of ildi with chutney is inviting.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I never thought that we can get such perfect idlis with millet. I really need to give this recipe a try. Bookmarking it 🙂
cookingwithsapana says
Millets idli sounds very healthy and look so soft and fluffy.
www.annapurnaz.in says
To me these idlis looked like the usual idlis, not like you said..off colored. and these appear to be quite soft and fluffy.
Chef Mireille says
perfectly soft and fluffy idlis - thesse are something I havent gotten around to trying yet
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen says
we love millets idly kal! This one is usual at home, as u rightly said, the color is a put off, that too my lil one warns me not to keep dirty idlies in his breakfast! 🙂 But the health quotient of it nullifies the rest!!
code2cook says
Really..?? You have so many healthy idli collection. This foxtail millet idli looking so soft and moist. Great job.
Suja Ram says
Thinai idli has come out very well, soft and fluffy. Will try this recipe..
Shobha says
I love idlis.. I never tried using foxtail millets. Looks the same like nor,al idlis.
cookwithrenu says
I love to try different varities of Idlis and this one is a healthy variant with foxtail millet. Bookmarking this to try soon.
Archana says
Beautifully made idlis. The best thing is no one will know what goes in the batter. Absolutely love it.
Swati says
Idlis look so soft and spongy.. will love try with foxtail millets as never made with it
Sarika Gunjal (Spice Zone) says
will try this..love to different variations of idli.
Sarika Gunjal (Spice Zone) says
love idles, will try this. Love to try different variations.
JollyHomemadeRecipes says
Me and my family love idli, thinai idlis looks so soft and spongy, I am definitely going to make this..loved this recipe a lot. Awesome share!!