quinoa Idli

Ingredients

• 1 cup white organic quinoa
• 1/3 cup urad dal
• 1/2 cup poha (falttened rice flakes )
• 3/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1/2 cup water (for blending )
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon ghee

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse the quinoa 2 to 3 times. Add poha & lentils and rinse again. Drain out the water and then soak with 3 cups of water for 6 to 8 hours.

2. 2

   Drain out all the water and add to a blender and blend with salt & water. The idli batter consistency will be like pancake batter.

3. 3

   Add the idli batter to the Instant Pot insert. Set the Instant Pot to Yogurt(normal mode) for 8 hours. Place a non-locking lid on the Instant Pot as you do not need any pressure to be built. Depending on the temperature in your kitchen you may need to ferment it anywhere between 8 to 12 hours. If you do not have an Instant Pot, simply place the batter container in a warm place or inside the oven with lights on.

4. 4

   Evenly spread 2 to 3 drops of ghee or oil to the idli mold plates and grease it well. Then pour the batter in each section, about 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup depending on the size of your idli plate. Stack the plates and get the idli stand ready. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert and heat it on sauté mode. Once the water gets hot and starts to steam, place the idli stand inside the Instant Pot. Close the lid with the pressure valve to venting. Press the steam option and set an EXTERNAL timer for 15 minutes. NOTE: The Instant Pot timer does not work with the pressure release valve to venting so make sure to set an external timer.

5. 5

   Once the timer goes off, press the Cancel button on the Instant Pot and allow a 10-minute natural pressure release. Then open the lid and carefully take out the Idli stand. Separate each plate and allow to cool down for 5 mins. Then run a butter knife carefully from under each idli and remove the idlis.

6. 6

   Enjoy hot with some coconut chutney or cilantro chutney and sambar. I have a super easy and delicious sambar recipe in The Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook.