Podi Idli Recipe | Beetroot Idli | Beetroot Podi Idli Recipe | Kids Friendly Valentines Day Recipe Ideas

Podi Idli Recipe / Beetroot Idli recipe/ Roasted Beets Idli with step by step photos. I wanted to share few Valentine Recipes with red or pink colored dishes. But at the same time I do not want to make any cakes or cookies or desserts. Because, I have already had so much of sweets/desserts in the name of blog during Diwali & Christmas. So I am staying away from sweets and no more sweets or desserts at least for some weeks. Then after a long thought, I decided to cook few savory dishes with beetroot. And first in the row comes, Beetroot Podi Idli. Once I have tried Roasted Beets Pasta and used the left over beets pesto to make dosa. With that recipe in mind, I tried this Beetroot Podi Idli. To make it even more attractive, I cut the idlis with heart shaped cutter and my kids were so much excited to see the red colored heart shaped idlis. They kept asking me, How the idlis got red color? How I made it? Why heart idlis? Are we having Valentines Party at home? They were excited to see this cute red color heart idlis.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and Surprise Your kids with this colorful Beetroot Podi Idlis, cut into any desired shape and these podi idlis are perfect for lunch box too. Instead of making plain idlis add some beets puree or any vegetable puree to the idli batter and make healthy and colorful idlis. Sanjay once in a week take podi idlis for lunch box as he loves podi idli a lot.  Now off to the recipe

Beetroot Podi Idli Recipe

Prep Time : 20-25 minutes | Cook Time : 10 + 5 minutes

Recipe Category : Tiffin/Snack

Serves 3

Ingredients
To Roast Beetroot

1. Beetroot  1 no.(peeled and sliced or chopped)
2. Olive Oil   1/2 tbsp
3. Salt & Pepper   to taste

For Podi Idli

1. Idli Batter   1 and 1/2 cup
2. Idli Milagai Podi   3-4 tbsp or to taste
3. Oil   2-3 tsp
4. Mustard seeds   1/4 tsp
5. Urad dal   1/4 tsp
6. Curry leaves   few
7. Hing   a generous pinch

Method

• Preheat oven to 400 degree Fahrenheit.
• In a cast iron pan or oven safe baking tray, add oil and sliced beetroot(make medium thick slices).

• Add some salt and pepper, toss gently and bake it in oven for 18-20 minutes.
• After 10 minutes toss beet slices and bake for 8 more minutes.
• Once done allow the roasted beets to cool for a while and grind it with 2-3 tbsp water to a smooth or little coarse puree.

• Now add the beets puree to idli batter, stir well and pour the batter into the greased idli plates.
• You can use mini idli plates or the regular ones.

• And steam cook the idlis for 10-12 minutes.
• After that allow the idli to cool completely before cutting with cutter.

• Once cool down, cut the idlis into desired shape and keep ready to make podi idlis.
• Heat oil in a pan, when it is hot add mustard seeds allow to pop, then add urad dal, curry leaves and hing, fry well.

• Then add idli powder stir it and add the idli pieces and toss well until all the idlis are coated with podi well.
• Add idli podi as needed.
• That's it..Once done serve Hot with ketchup or as such.

Notes:
Instead of roasting beet root, you can simply make a fresh puree, mix it with idli batter and make idlis.
But the roasting method gives unique taste. Beets idlis were midly sweet that are perfect for kids.
Baking time varies based on your chopping method, i sliced medium thick so it took 15-18 minutes for me.
You can also make Oothappam or dosa with this batter, I tried dosa too.

Other Similar Recipes Using Beetroot & Idlis

• Beetroot Paneer Paratha
• Cauliflower Beetroot Cutlet
• Beetroot Poriyal/Stir Fry
• Beetroot Coconut Milk Pulao
• Roasted Beets Pasta
• Beets Pasta Kheer
• Podi Idli Fry
• Idli Upma
• Broccoli Idli Upma
• Idli Manchurian