Whimsical Idli Sandals: A Fun and Healthy South Indian Breakfast for Kids
8 hours 20 minutes
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About Whimsical Idli Sandals: A Fun and Healthy South Indian Breakfast for Kids
Turn breakfast into an adventure with these adorable Idli Sandals! Imagine fluffy, bite-sized sandals made from nutritious steamed idlis and decorated with a rainbow of grated veggies.These aren't your average idlis; they're a fun, healthy, and visually appealing South Indian breakfast packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. A dollop of peanut or coconut chutney adds the perfect finishing touch.Get ready for smiles all around – these Idli Sandals are a guaranteed winner for picky eaters and adventurous foodies alike!
Recipe Time & More
Prep8 hours
Cook20 minutes
Total8 hours 20 minutes
Ingredients
Decorations and Flavor
- ¼ cup Carrot grated
- ¼ cup Beetroot grated
- ¼ cup Greens any variety, chopped
- 1 tbsp Cumin Seeds
For Greasing and Serving
- Clarified Butter as needed, or ghee
- Peanut Chutney as needed, for serving
- Coconut Chutney as needed, for serving
Instructions
- Soak the black gram in water for 5 hours. This softens the beans for grinding.
- Grind the soaked black gram into a smooth paste using a blender or grinder.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground black gram paste, idli rice (or rava), and salt. Mix well to form a smooth batter.
- Cover the bowl and let the batter ferment for 8 hours or overnight. Fermentation makes the idlis light and fluffy.
- Gently fold in the grated carrot, grated beetroot, chopped greens, and cumin seeds. Be careful not to overmix.
- Grease a flat-bottomed, shallow vessel (steel or aluminum) with ghee. Ensure the entire surface, including the rim, is coated.
- Pour the prepared batter into the greased vessel, filling it about halfway.
- Steam the batter in an idli cooker or steamer for 10 minutes over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and steam for another 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the steamed idli cool for 5 minutes before carefully transferring it to a greased plate.
- Cut the steamed idli into sandal shapes. Get creative with the design!
- To create the sandal straps, use parboiled carrot slices for the toe and ankle and a parboiled green stalk to connect them. This adds a playful touch.
- Serve the Idli Sandals hot with peanut chutney and coconut chutney.
Recipe Notes
Good To Know
- For extra crunch, lightly toss the grated carrots and beetroot in a pan with a few cumin seeds and a pinch of salt before using them to decorate the idli sandals.
- To make the sandals even more appealing, try using mini idlis for bite-sized versions.
- For a dairy-free variation, swap the coconut-curd chutney with coconut-mint chutney or a simple tomato dip.
Expert Tips
- Use a cookie cutter to shape the idlis into fun shapes other than sandals, like circles or stars, to further enhance the appeal for kids.
- Get the kids involved in assembling the idli sandals! It’s a fun and interactive way to introduce them to cooking.
- Serve these idli sandals with a side of sambar or rasam for a more complete meal.
Storage Instructions
- If making these in advance, assemble the idli sandals and refrigerate them in an airtight container. Add the chutneys just before serving to keep the decorations crisp and colors vibrant.
Recipe Nutrition
Calories: 103kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 855mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g
6 Comments
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This looks so good! Appreciate the share.
This looks so tasty! Thank you.
Such a tasty dish! Thanks for the recipe.
Such a delicious dish! Thank you.
Really cute:)
This is sooooo cute.