How to make Keto Idli (Idly)

The ubiquitous savory rice cake also popularly known as Idli or Idly is a south Indian staple of early morning breakfast for millions of people not just in India but where ever the Indian breakfast regular has reached. It can be a light snack in the morning along with some hot coffee and is eaten in combination with various kinds of chutney or sambhar. Going on the Keto diet, it immediately put idly out of reach for me because the main ingredient in the traditional recipe is rice. Rice is a not allowed in a Keto diet as it is rich in carbohydrates and also generates starch that is a big no no in the low carb diet. However, the craving for idli at times can be hard to beat. Source: Yours truly.

So I obviously searched how it can be made while following the Keto principles and have tried several variants. I have come up with my own concoction that felt just right to me and have been enjoying it ever since in my Keto journey as a frequent breakfast meal. It is filling, low carb and totally Keto compliant. To be honest though, nothing beats the taste of the traditional idli but this one comes very close.

While we miss many meal items from our traditional cooking when following the Keto diet and try to substitute with Keto-friendly ingredients, I should make a note that it is hard if not impossible to beat the taste of traditional recipes but we can come very (in some cases very, very) close. In my opinion, this idli recipe comes very close and the difference is hard to notice if eaten with Keto friendly chutney or Keto friendly sambhar.

Keto idli will take approximately 30 minutes to get ready. In a south indian cuisine, keto idli is made in a very different way so that it can be followed in a keto diet.

Ingredients

1 cup coconut flour

2 cup paneer

20 gram psyllium husk

1 teaspoon baking powder

4 tablespoon olive or coconut oil

2 teaspoon curd

Salt to taste

Water as required

 Olive oil

Instructions

·         In a grinder, add coconut flour, psyllium husk, baking powder and salt. Mix it once.

·         Add paneer, olive oil and curd. Grind it again.

·         If it feels a little hard, add a little water and make it soft.

·         Take small parts of dough and divide it into circular portions.

·         Flatten the dough a bit and brush them with a little oil.

·         Put the dough in a microwave idli container and steam for three minutes.

·         Serve it hot with keto chutney or keto sambhar.