Semia Idli - Steamed Vermicelli Idli

Semia Idli - Steamed Vermicelli Dumpling

My mother is an excellent and innovative cook. Even to this day at the age of 78, she prepares my – I would rather say everybody‘s - favourite dishes whenever an opportunity arose. Mysore Rasam with coconut milk for my eldest daughter, Aval Dosai for my second daughter, Bisibelebath for my son, Sojji for my nephew and an endless list of dishes for her really big big family .

I always relished her Semia Idli but had never bothered to find out about the know hows of its preparation. Last week when I had called her up, she enthusiastically enquired about the blog and asked me if I had written about my “favourite” dish. Immediately I got the recipe from her and tried it out for the first time and lo…it turned out to be a delicious hit!

INGREDIENTS:

Vermicelli – 2 cups

Curds – 1 cup

Salt – 1 ½ tsp

Green chillies – 3

Fresh ginger – 1 inch piece

Fresh coriander - a few leaves

Carrot gratings – ½ cup

Mustard seeds – ½ tsp

Cooking oil – 2 tbsps

METHOD:

1.Add grated carrot, salt, finely chopped green chillies and ginger to the curd and mix well.

2.Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.

3. When it splutters add the vermicelli and fry till it is golden red in colour.

4. Add the fried vermicelli to the prepared curd, while it is still hot .

5. Mix well and leave it to soak for 10 minutes.

6. Grease the idly moulds with a drop of ghee and spoon the curd- vermicelli mixture into each mould.

7. Since it does not flow like the normal idly batter, spread out the mixture into each mould with the help of a spoon.

8. Steam the idlis in the pressure cooker without the weight for 12 minutes.

9. Allow the steam to settle down and then remove the idlis.

Semia idlies are very light and delicious. Enjoy with your favourite chutney or sambar.