Chocolate idlis: The ultimate school tiffin delight

Chocolate idlis are a delightful and innovative twist on the traditional breakfast dish, making them an excellent choice for a school snack tiffin. Combining the familiar comfort of idlis with the rich flavour of chocolate, these treats are both fun and nutritious. To prepare, mix semolina, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, yogurt, and milk into a batter, then steam in idli moulds. Once cooled, they can be packed in a tiffin box with a piece of parchment paper to keep them fresh. Adding a small container of chocolate sauce or fresh fruit slices can make the snack even more enjoyable.

Here's how to make chocolate idlis:

Ingredients
1 cup semolina (rava/suji)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup yogurt (curd)
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 tsp baking soda
A pinch of salt
Ghee or oil for greasing the idli moulds

Preparation
In a mixing bowl, combine the semolina, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt
Add the yogurt and mix well
The mixture will be thick
Gradually add milk to the mixture to achieve a medium-thick batter consistency, the batter should not be too thick or too runny
Allow the batter to rest for about 10-15 minutes so the semolina can absorb the moisture
Grease the idli moulds with a little ghee or oil to prevent the idlis from sticking
Just before steaming, add the baking soda to the batter and mix well
You should see the batter become slightly frothy
Pour the batter into the greased idli moulds
Fill each mould about 3/4 full to give the idlis room to rise
If using chocolate chips, you can add a few on top of each mould for extra chocolatey goodness
Place the idli stand in a steamer or pressure cooker (without the whistle/weight) with some water at the bottom
Steam the idlis on medium heat for about 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of an idli comes out clean
Once cooked, remove the idli stand from the steamer and let it cool for a few minutes
Carefully unmould the idlis using a spoon or knife
Serve the chocolate idlis warm. They can be enjoyed as is or with a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for added sweetness

Tips:

You can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter for a richer flavour.

Enjoy your delicious and unique chocolate idlis!