Ragi Idli | Panjipullu (Finger Millet) Idli ~ Quick & Easy Method

As we all know ragi has numerous health benefits and is one of the best non- diary sources of calcium. Ragi (Finger Millet) is also a healthy whole grain that reduces the glycemic index and is perfect for diabetics. I have been trying to incorporate ragi in a number of ways like Ragi Peechappam, Ragi Chocolate Muffins, Ragi porridge(Panjipullu Kurukku), Ragi poori, Ragi Puttu, Ragi Ela Ada  Instant ragi dosa and multi grain healthy laddus. However, each time when one dish of ragi gets bored, I try another one to keep the proportion of ragi intake balanced in our family. Ragi idli was tried in several ways before and finally I settled to this quick and simple method of making which turned out perfect. Ragi was earlier soaked and ground with urad dal to make the traditional ragi idli batter but the batter was over fermented each time I tried that way. May be I went wrong with some proportions but this one with ragi flour came out really good and am sure you can give this a try. These are so simple to put together and all you need is a good idli batter and ragi flour, mix them up and ferment. These idlis turn out just like our regular idlis except for the colour.

The texture wise these idlis are soft and they need to de moulded from the idli mould soon after its out from the heat else the top dries out faster unlike regular idlis. Other than that the cooking process remains same and you can serve a healthy alternative for breakfast. Ragi on its own is very dry and may not taste the same like we do other flours as its gluten free. So mixing ragi four to rice or wheat improves the texture of the food item that you are preparing and in turn you can reduce the rice/ wheat proportions too compensating it with ragi. I do prepare both regular idlis and ragi idlis as kids make faces looking at these brown coloured idlis. So I serve them a mix of both regular and ragi idlis and this way it works fine. The grown ups enjoy ragi idlis alone.The texture of the idli is obvious from the pictures below and do give this a try if you are looking for reducing the rice calorie load. A good sambar pairs well with ragi idlis that we love the most compare to chutneys. Serve these soft idlis with sambar and tomato chutney, love it !!

Preparation time ~ 20 minutes
Cooking time ~ 15 minutes 
Serves ~ 8-10 idlis
Ingredients
ragi powder 1/3 cup
idli batter 3/4 cup
water 2 tbsp
salt to taste

Method

• Prepare idli batter as you usually do with rice idli batter or if you use store brought idli batter then use that. Take 3/4 cup of this batter, keep aside.
• In another bowl, mix the ragi flour with 2 tbsp of water. Add another tbsp if required to adjust consistency of batter.

• Mix the ragi and idli batter, aerate the batter well using hands. Keep this covered in a warm place to ferment for 6-7 hours. 

• After 7 hours, the batter will be nicely fermented. Grease the idli mould and pour the batter in mould. Place in idli cooker with water  and steam cook for 10-12 minutes on medium flame.
• Remove the idlis from cooker and wait to cool slightly till its warm on touch (don't overdo the cooling, else the top becomes dry).
• Serve warm with tomato chutney and sambar. Check out my homemade sambar powder too.