Make a tantalizing snack with Idli coated in spicy chutney powder with Saaru in shot glasses.
This is the best use of leftover idlis, which everyone clamours to eat. You have one amazing appetizer/starter for your party. It is simple, elegant, and very healthy. You guessed it: we are getting ready for your holidays and celebrations.
This year, Diwali, Christmas, and New Year will be muted affairs with hardly any visits from and to friends—all the more reason to have a good-looking snack.
Curious? Read on, and I will share with you an easy way to make Plain old Idlis more attractive and yummy. Your family will love them, and of course, they are a lot healthier. Spread the love, like and share my post, and sign up for my newsletter! (\
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Holidays are just an excuse. Idli Bites with Rasam Shots was one of the four dishes that I demonstrated. On the 18th of October 2020, for Mani Gulati, my classmate from Nagpur wanted me to demonstrate some dishes to her forum. She did not listen to my excuses and waited patiently for me to set dates.
By that time, my daughters had left for Bangalore, so the recording we were to do just did not happen. I was too overwhelmed! Special thanks to Pradnya, my friend, who suggested and walked me through the entire process, as this was my first live cooking.
I'm posting this today because Mani's group wants the recipe. Also, for the Foodie Monday Bloghop this week, we are celebrating #272Diwali. This Diwali, I'm sharing a no-onion, no-garlic Idli Recipe that can be made gluten-free if you avoid the hing and vegan if you avoid Ghee.
Boring Idli?
For mortals who do not know what idlis are or think that they are "boring," this makes you wish you had not called them boring!
An Idli or idly is are steamed rice cake, generally savoury. Idli is famous as a breakfast food and a snack, but some, like my family members, will make a meal out of them. An idli or idly is made from a fermented rice batter and dehusked black lentils (urid dal). Paired with chutneys, sambhar, and a pat of homemade butter, idli provides the necessary proteins, carbs and micronutrients.
Like all other foods, idli has variations. There is rava idli, which is instant idli made with semolina. Then, there is a sweet variation of idlis called Sanna, which is popular in the Konkan area. Have you tried this yummy butter idli my mother-in-law made beautifully?
What is rasam?
Rasam, an Indian soup also called saaru, chaaru. Slightly sour, spicy yet sweet soup/curry that is watery. A saar can be made without any lentils; you can eat it with rice or drink it. Again a South Indian delicacy that is very soothing, especially during winter or when you have a cold.
Components of Idli Bites with Rasam Shots
So let us assemble these stunningly simple but awesomely delicious Idli Tikki and Rasam Shots for the family and friends. Here are your components for the snack:
- Rasam,
- Idli,
- Tempering with podi
- Veggies for threading.
How to make Idli?
The first thing you need to do is make idli, for which you need a batter. If you can get ready-made batter, go for it. But did you know you can make the batter easily at home? Here is your how-to guide. For tips, check my recipe for Idli.
- Use a 1:2 ½ ratio of urid: rice/ idli rava; you can use 1:3 too.
- Soak the urid dal with methi seeds for a minimum of 4 hours.
- Use a big bowl to ferment the batter, measure out the idli rava in it. Add enough water to be about one inch above the rava. Stir and let it stand for 15-20 minutes, then drain. Repeat 2 more times. Drain all the water and keep ready for the urid dal batter.
- Grind the urid dal to a fine paste using little water if needed. You can grind it in the blender or on grinding stones. Once done, remove the urid dal and mix it well with the idli rava. Set aside.
- You may mix salt in the flour at this moment and set it aside to ferment overnight, but I do not, so mine sits overnight.
- In the morning, you will see that your batter has fermented well. Stir it. Add salt if you have not before, and mix well.
- I generally use my idli mould, but today, I used my rice vessel or a plate with edges. If you have a dhokla stand, use that. If you have a mini idli stand, use that, too.
- You can use either the idli cooker or your pressure cooker without the vent or the weight.
- After 12-15 minutes, remove the idlis from the cooker and let them cool down.
- If you use a plate, cool and cut them into small cubes.
- If you have made the idli in the regular mould, they will be circles. Cut off the edges and make cubes for the tikka. The edges can be used to make snacks like fried idli. How? Deep fry them, shallow fry them, or use the air fryer.
How to make Rasam?
- Soak the tamarind in ¼ cup of water and extract the juice.
- Pressure cook the toor dal with the tomato and haldi. Let the pressure drop naturally. Then, mash the tomato and dal.
- These days, I add my curry leaves as a powder, as kids do not like the leaves in their mouths, and they grace the edge of their plates.
- Heat oil, add the mustard, and when it splutters, add the red chillies, curry leaves, haldi, and asafoetida.
- Add the tamarind juice extract, jaggery, masala, and salt and bring to boil.
- You can adjust it to suit your taste. Add more or less tomato, add lemon juice, and coriander leaves.
Prepping the Idli and the Veggies
- Heat ghee in a non-stick pan, and once ho,t add the mustard seeds, curry leaves.
- Add the podi powder and the idli cubes.
- Mix gently till the idlis are coated with the podi. Remove to a plate.
- In the same pan, add the oil and saute all these with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
Assembling the Idli Bites
- Thread a piece of capsicum on a toothpick/ skewer, then onion the cubed idli. Reverse the capsicum onion order. (You can choose any order you prefer!)!
- Pour rasam in small or shot glasses. Add coriander leaves; lemon as a garnish.
- Place the idli tikka on the glass and serve.
- Enjoy!
Idli Bites with Rasam Shots Recipe
Equipment
- Non-stick pan
- Toothpicks/skewers
- Ladles and spoons
Ingredients
- 10 idli cubes medium-sized
- 5 rasam portions in small glasses
For the Tempering:
- 3 tablespoon ghee
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- curry leaves optional
- 3-4 tablespoon chutney powder or / garlic chutney powder
For the Veggies:
- ½ red capsicum cubed
- ½ Onion cubed
- ½ green capsicum cubed
- 1 teaspoon oil
Instructions
Tempering the Idli:
- Heat ghee in a non-stick pan and once hot add the mustard seeds, curry leaves.
- Add the powder and the idli cubes.
- Mix gently till the idlis are coated with the powder.
- Remove to a plate.
Sauteing the Veggies:
- Saute all these with a pinch of salt till they soften a little.
- Keep aside.
Assembling:
- On the toothpick/skewer thread a piece of capsicum then onion the cubed idli, reverse back the capsicum onion order. (You can choose any order you prefer)!
- Pour rasam in small or shot glasses. Add coriander leaves, lemon as a garnish.
- Place the idli tikka on the glass and serve.
- Enjoy!
Notes
So, these delicious idli tikkas that I made were delicious, and how I wish the girls were here. They would have loved them.
These idli bites will be a great hit for a kids' party, a barbecue, a Thanksgiving party, or a Christmas Party. I am sure these idly tikkas will taste great with cocktails, too. Try them today!
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Other Party Appetizers you may like:
Swati says
Loved this delicious way of serving idlis with rasam.. this makes a perfect party starter for get togethers .. I will try this for family get together ..
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks.
Priya Vj says
Loved these idli bites . These pick me up idli tikkas are so party friendly which can be made in advance and served. I usually make idly fry with left over idlis . next time I make idlis I will make these for sure .
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Priya.
Poonam Bachhav says
I personally love idli with rasam. This idli bites coated with podi and served with rasam shots look so tempting d irresistible!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Poonam.
The Girl Next Door says
I love how you have given the humble idli and rasam a gourmet avatar! The dish looks so delicious - perfect for a party or get-together. I'd definitely love to try this out. 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, dear.
Preethicuisine says
These idli bites with rasam shits make a great starter. Loved your innovative idea to serve Idli as a starter. It will be a star attraction at any party. Looks Super tempting.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks.
Mayuri Patel says
Wow, what a wonderful way to serve podi idli with rasam as a starter or appetizer. Definitely going to grace my table when I hold a party next. In the meantime will definitely try a small portion for hubby and myself when I make idlis.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Mayuri. I am so happy you liked it.
Vasusvegkitchen says
I always save some rasam for dinner to have it with idli, the way idli's are tempered with podi and prepared tikki's with veggies and served with rasam shots is just amazing idea. Loved the presentation and write up as always.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Aruna.
Preeti Shridhar says
Really creative way to serve idli. Loved this post.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Preeti.
Sasmita Sahoo says
Ahaaa this is such a delicious appetizer to use some leftover idlis !
serving these podi idli with rasam is an awesome idea sure ....
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Sasmita.
kalyani says
we generally dont have any leftover idlis but am sure to make a few extra just to make these irresistible appetiser... a superb idea to serve it with rasam 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks.
Mina Joshi says
What an innovative way to serve idlis. These would make perfect for starters in the winter with the warm rasam.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Shobha Keshwani says
Brilliant idea of serving idlis like a cocktail snack and rasam in shot glasses
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Shobha.
Priya Vj says
Wah kya andaaz hai !! Idli Tikkas served with rasam ...loved this innovative twist. A perfect party appetizer to please kids and adults..
ArchanaPotdar says
;D thanks
Sarika Gunjal (SpiceZone) says
Love love rasam, like the idea of these cute little rasam shots. I haven’t made rasam in along time. Going in my list to
Make
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Neha (My Culinary Expressions) says
I love serving idli shots as appetizers. It is customizable, delicious and a great crowd pleaser. The method is divided into various steps for better clarity. I just can't wait to make them soonest.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks a lot Neha.
Kalyani says
We tried these Idli Bites for our weekend snack and turned out to be a hit, Archana. Thanks for the share... Leftover idlis are not going to be a problem anymore, lol !
ArchanaPotdar says
LOL 😀
Priya Srinivasan says
Wow archana, idli bites and rasam shots, desi food, Videshi clothes!!! Its like idli is dressed in LBD. Brilliantly presented!I love it, definitely trying this for my next party, all my friends are foodies they would definitely love this combo!!!
ArchanaPotdar says
So glad you like it, Priya. Remember to invite me with a ticket.