Many home kitchens contain items that are used for only one specific task for years, such as sandwich makers or multi-cookers. The idli mold also belongs to such items. In most homes, it is used exclusively for making idli by placing batter into molds and steaming. However, if this mold is used more thoughtfully, you can prepare idiyappam, dhokla, healthy vegetable pakoras, and even mango sweets. This eliminates the need to take out different cookware or buy a new steamer for every small dish.
Below are six ways to use an idli mold that 99% of people might not know about.
- Making Mango Modaks instead of Idli: You can make mango modaks in an idli mold. If you have ripe mangoes and some leftover rice at home, you can prepare a special type of sweet. To do this, mix pureed ripe mango, leftover rice, gur (jaggery syrup), rice flour, and cardamom powder to form a soft dough. Then, shape it into modaks and place them on a greased idli mold, steaming for about 8 minutes. This results in soft and aromatic modaks, and this method applies to all types of modaks.
- Making Soft Idiyappam in an Idli Mold: The idli mold is also suitable for making idiyappam, which is rice noodles. For this, knead a soft dough by adding hot water and a little oil to the flour. Then, press the dough into an idiyappam press and gently press it onto the greased idli mold, steaming for about 10 minutes. Hot idiyappam can be served with vegetable sambar.
- Making Healthy Steamed Vegetable Pakoras Instead of Deep Frying: If you want pakoras but need to minimize oil consumption, the idli mold can help. Finely chop cabbage, potatoes, onions, and bell peppers, then mix them with chickpea flour, rice flour, and spices. First, steam this mixture in the idli mold. Afterward, you can lightly fry them in a pan to give them a crispy crust. This method eliminates the need for deep frying the pakoras in oil.
- Making Fluffy Dhokla in an Idli Mold: The idli mold is also perfect for making dhokla. You need to prepare a batter by mixing chickpea flour, dry rice semolina, yogurt, lemon juice, and spices, and then pour it into a greased idli mold. Steaming takes about 15 minutes. When finished, top it with a hot tempering of cumin seeds and green chilies, and garnish with cilantro, resulting in small, soft, and fluffy dhoklas.
- Steaming Vegetables: The idli mold can be used to steam vegetables. This allows you to easily steam vegetables, eliminating the need for a separate steamer.
- Making Momos: Momos are loved by both adults and children, and many are now making them at home. Since momos are steamed, the idli mold simplifies this process. You can steam momos directly in this mold.
Thus, next time you take out your idli mold, do not limit yourself to making only idli. This simple kitchen appliance, designed for steaming, can simplify many tasks in the home kitchen, especially for those who prefer cooking with minimal oil and maximizing the use of existing kitchen utensils.