Millets Idli- A Year end Gift

Millets Idli is not very popular yet, or so I think. My love for idlis and dosa perhaps started from childhood days when I spent quite a bit of time at my neighbour’s house.

Our next-door neighbour was from Andhra Pradesh- calling her Aunty C here- and had 3 daughters. I would often find myself locked out while my mother was out playing cards with other aunties in the clubs. There was another aunty from Karnataka, one from Kerala and another from TN. I’m just using partial recollection for now.

When I look back, I understand that my early formative years was spent growing up in a very diverse and multicultural colony. More like a small self-contained township- a mix of urban mindset within a primarily rural agrarian environment. My mother learnt to make idlis then and dosa as well.

I haven’t quite mastered the art of making idlis and dosas- frankly never tried to do so regularly. As luck would have it, I ended up spending quite a few years of my early single adult working life in South India.

Working long hours and mostly eating out- we would all depend upon many small idli-dosa outlets- often called Udupi houses for breakfast or quick meals. I don’t recall millets featuring a lot back then. Though millets are indigenous to many parts of central and north India- very popular in Karnataka. Perhaps Kamath’s was the place then with a few millets based thalis. It’s still there- you have to drive out of the city to the Bengaluru-Mysore Highway to enjoy that food.

Millets Idli and Gluten related Scares

My love for millets came later when I went to Singapore and at some point, grappled with the tricky issue of gluten sensitivity. Ragi, little millets and foxtail millets started appearing regularly in our meal plans.

I particularly loved little millets and foxtail millets as a substitute for rice/chapatis with many of our Indian subzis/curries. Between the two- foxtail millets turned out to be faster cooking and didn’t stick so much to the saucepan. They could also be added to salads and made into upamas as breakfast options.

But my favourite was making dosas out of them- didn’t look anything like the dosas we grew up eating – but they were good. I liked a mix of ragi and red rice flour for dosas. Homemade, fresh off the tava and a good treat for us over a few weekend brunches or weekday dinners.

However, I don’t think I tried making idlis.

Why? No particular reason. So here I am doing a late correction to this overlooked little breakfast staple in South India.

Oh, I do love idlis more than dosas actually. But this is debatable- if eating out and have the time or appetite- I would end up ordering both with filter coffee. And of course, vadas. If there’s some space left- kesari bhaath or sweet pongal to end the meal. 😛

Millet Idlis with gut healing intervals

Can I have this every day for breakfast/brunch. No. Let’s not exaggerate and stretch this lovefest too much! But let’s not forget to include it in our meal plan rotation. That’s what I think. 🙂

Now if you are only eating it occasionally- why even bother to learn? We can easily go and eat it outside. Well, my friend, you have a point there. But here’s my point. It may happen that it becomes so easy to make, and you have a large number of people in the house- you have a big family, or you have guests at home.

Or you may need to make this comfort food for a few people who are a little under the weather. This is one of the easiest things to make. Suitable for large gatherings and very wholesome.

Especially good when you are otherwise eating out, having heavier foods or preparing for a lot of work through the day. This hot steaming and nourishing plate of goodness helps you kickstart the day on a healthier and tastier note.

Well done! Now that you are convinced, let me start with a little bit about what goes with the idlis.

Millets Idli side dishes

You can have it just with ghee and podi (funnily called gunpowder) or you can add a few chutneys with it. Normally we would have it with sambar as well.

Spice levels vary- hence making it at home is desirable for those who wish to customize it to their family’s or guests’ spice tolerance levels. Our tastes don’t always match- we try to make something which is suitable for those who are able to adapt or adjust these to their own preferences.

What? You don’t know Sambar! Ok.

It’s a lentil curry- like a hot lentil soup stew- spicy tangy and has a kickass curry flavour. Many different versions exist of all these things- chutneys, podis, sambar and what have you. But I’m going to share a couple of samples only for the moment.

We are in a bit of a hurry- lots to be done to clean up the messy apartment left in the wake of monkeys jumping all over the place.

Blessed by Budding Couch Chefs

I don’t mean actual monkeys- I mean human monkeys. You know the kinds who are forever not in peace and ensure peaceful people are also never in peace.

They are the first ones who will complain about the chutney, the sambar or the idlis. Mind you. So, beware- you have a task on hand.

But they will happily eat it- if they don’t have to do anything and somehow the suggestion or final approval was given by them (secret unfolded).

Now how do you get them to suggest it- that’s the tricky part. Let’s leave that to the wilier people who are adept at handling monkeys.

Have you seen a group of monkeys – they are very destructive at times. We are all a bit careful with food items – especially open packets of snacks around monkeys. Soon you will be left with nothing in hand.

Millets Idli prepwork

These millets idlis need a batter. Making that batter is time consuming and a bit cumbersome.

Good news- I have a lovely neighbour here who makes it regularly and we can all buy from her! She helped to explain what goes into this batter.

This particular batter we tried was a mix of rice, urad dal and assorted millets. But she also makes with only millets and urad dal. As explained by her- kids like the taste of the one with a bit of rice mixed alongside. The normal idli/dosa batter usually is a mix of rice and urad dal in 3:1 ratio. She’s done her own version – do check it out here.

Now, my helper here, Imanbi, is goading me to make the batter from scratch myself.

I say, why?

See- we already have a group of home chefs here supporting other families. And that’s the point- it takes a village to raise a child.

Matriarchy rules for Millets Idli

Imanbi actually reminds me of our neighbour from childhood, Aunty C, though she doesn’t look like her. She also has 3 daughters. I heard her talking to someone in Telegu and I recalled a few half-forgotten words from my childhood.

You know words like “Mummy Pilistunda” (or something like that…means Mum’s calling).

Now for some people that’s an automatic signal to switch off their phones or put it on flight mode. For others (let’s say more sincere people)- it’s a time to stop playing and return home.

Strangely, I am seen as a guest everywhere.

My paternal home, maternal home, at my in-laws and the rented apartment my husband chooses as a burrow. He chose to co-habit with our helper who was recruited and trained by me. Weirdly, I was questioned even after that when I left that burrow (I created) to create another little nest.

Let’s call this a strange twist of fate- a humanoid experience evenly tested by all sides and put to rest.

Why humanoid? Have you felt like you were treated like an object while you considered yourself to be a human? Like- you do the work, you don’t get paid and yet you get blamed for working. Sounds tricky, right?

If we have such a lopsided argument going- I need to take a moment to reflect back to all those who supported his many claims of being mistreated.

Here’s my question- would you do that to your wife, mother or sister? If not, kindly come and have a wholesome nourishing breakfast of millets idli instead. I have no other ulterior motive here.

Patriarchy interventions for Millets Idli

If you wish to learn about the recipe– so, be it. If not, it’s ok.

It’s an exchange of some ideas, some tips for healthier living and definitely a good morning breakfast to help you move along on the road. I have faced worse in life and at the hands of people I loved and trusted.

What more can you do to harm me further? Every day I remember the darkest days of my life, and I tell myself repeatedly,

“You are not responsible alone for this- irrespective of whatever is written and communicated to you”.

I am done with self-serving spiels from others who claimed everything is to be done independently where there are clear signs of co-dependence in their own lives. I pray for each of their dependences to be cut off so that they understand the actual meaning of helplessness.

If there’s any attempt to brainwash you with more vindictive statements from others- walk away.

Let the monkeys finish their destruction of everything that was meant to be destroyed. It includes egos of men or women who pandered to the powers that be in the hope and attempt to wear masks of respectability while they hid away their own despicable acts.

A meal sharing Millets Idli recipe and more

Have I not suffered enough? Did I not pay enough for others mistakes in life? Have I not heard enough abuse and accusations from others who had no right to cast mud on my face?

It seems there are even lower depths men and women can fall to save the ugliest and dirtiest scoundrels. Many complied in their power-hungry self-righteous attempts to whitewash selves and blacken others. After all- it’s all a narrative and it depends on whose story you are being cajoled to believe.

Do you believe a rich man who made his fortune divorcing 3 women?

Or do you believe a poor woman who screams, shouts and abuses (doesn’t seem very peaceful to you)?

I don’t believe either. I have no other means to ask for justice. Do you trust the legal system or prefer for death to do its deeds?

Why?

Because there are somethings where the right way is perhaps the wrong way. Like the right way as explained by many is to go out and have idlis elsewhere. 🙂

But here I am advocating that you try making these idlis at home. See, in certain places there is no right or wrong way till you have the exact context.

Con-artists waiting for Millets Idli

Spoiler alert: Finally, you are tired of the chattering, and you end up making the idlis for these con-artists. And you end up sharing the recipe as well.

Now- here’s a little tip. Knowledge shared is knowledge gained. I learnt more as I went through the process of sharing these idlis and the recipe.

I learnt an easier way to make the peanuts chutney which I had seen my mother make several times before. Imanbi taught me to use bottle gourd peels a different way.

I’ve seen it being used for making chhechhki a simple fried side dish- often eaten with rice in many parts of Bengal. Btw, that takes a lot of time, fine chopping and is very oily. I still like it but saying- this is an alternate way to use bottle gourd peels if you are trying to minimize kitchen wastage.

I got another easier version of peanuts chutney from Imanbi while making it- hope to try that too someday. And I learnt a bit more from my kind neighbour about how to make the millets batter and what kind of equipment is suitable if you are making it regularly.

I’m not doing it- but it helps to know and share. Who knows someone someday may find this useful.

Online Millets Idli stories meet offline postal stories

Oh, I almost forgot to share a little follow up to my jousts with the postal services. After a few trips I found out some of the posts can be pre-booked online.

Now, interesting learnings-

• The online booking platform is frustratingly full of bugs. Your details may or may not be saved, the transactions may or may not be completed.
• And nobody tells you that for each order booked you need to keep an EY…….. number which has to be written on the envelope/package before dropping off.
• Next you find- some of these numbers came via different SMS to you in random order at different timings. So now if you have booked multiple packages- you don’t know which one corresponds to which package.
• The staff will berate you first and then if they are in the mood to be magnanimous- may help you to trace out the names corresponding to the numbers.
• Next, you discover a couple of them were paid for via UPI link but the transaction is not recorded on the Postal service website and there are no corresponding EY numbers. It’s a relatively smaller amount- you don’t pull your hair- you pay again.

Complaint resolution attempts

But, let me assure you the entire “learning experience” is extremely nerve wracking to say the least. Especially when faced with very rude staff who expect you to know their internal processes which are obtuse or user unfriendly.

Now that we are working on a website with an online shopping portal – I realize the humongous task on hand. 🙁

Let’s say, we don’t send any more parcels or letters from the Postal service. Is that an option?

It’s not an option for many. So let me get those who are comfortably numb a little bothered to read these lines more carefully.

Say even 1% of bookings being used for these fraudulent payments with no traces in a nation attuned to online transactions – amounts to what now? (I don’t know- I’m asking that question).

For each individual- it may not be a large amount but what happens when taken collectively? For a really poor person- even Rs 100 lost is a loss felt deeply. If you see Rs 100 lost on a package worth maybe Rs 2000- that’s 5% loss. I’m sharing this as a “tip” for those who sat and offloaded gyan.

Do you think the 2 out of 10 online pre-booking transactions failing was manipulated by AI. Seems very contrived don’t you think?

I was thrashed mercilessly by my mother as a 5 or 6-year-old child for stealing Rs 20 to go and buy grapes to enjoy with my friends. Somehow there are grown up adults not being held accountable for much larger sums taken fraudulently. Let me keep this here as a point to ponder for “respect demanding” citizens of this country or elsewhere.

Do I sound too angry or offensive?

Closing Millets Idli Breakfast Table Fable

Good time to thank those humans who placed a few orders in our little shop and also those who gave us such kind reviews! 🙂

I am not Santa Claus unfortunately, so I don’t receive those letters or requests from kids. But somewhere there’s a child in me that remembers this holiday season means a lot more to many people who celebrate for different reasons.

Trying to let go of the Grinch who stole Christmas – I’m swiping past the memories of Uncle Scrooge. Sometimes their inhumanity is the very trait that helps us define humans as flawed and worthy of having around as opposed to AI partners/spouses. They make you question; they make your own stories clarify who you are or what you believe in eventually.

As the year ends, I remember everything is fragile or moldable – even what I write or feel today may seem questionable tomorrow.

Leaving it here for the moment with these millets idlis- will they remain in history books or survive till at least a few more generations to come?

Footnote

Petty crimes pitched against Bondi Shoots

I spent many months in silent peaceful reflection

I spent many years in hopeful deflection

What bothered me more than your accusations

Was my own inability to really change anything

The more I tried, the more I cried

And finally realised the futility of everything.

If you were deemed to be so worthless by all

Did you actually start behaving in accordance?

Curling yourself up into a pointless cipher

So that others could stand up and stand tall

And declare to all and sundry

How your work and words were paltry

Replicas of creatures who strode before

Larger than the little, tiny miserable attempt

You were making to draw attention to the

Loss of an insignificant person with petty dreams

And silent unheard tearful screams

If my words are ghastly and violent

Imagine the deeds you did that caused

So much of anger and hatred

From someone who was born loving and trusting

Laughing and playing- holding your hands

And walking simply in an awestruck and silent wonder

A smile of finally having seen a few days of happiness

After years of silently believing and fighting

Against all those who abused, crushed and wrecked dreams

With insensitive and violent apathy or jealousy

Winter brings a weird mix of grief and joy

I am unable to be equanimous to both

This is what makes me a human- hence I ask

All those claiming to be saints- experience a little more

Of humbling grief and pain.

You are worried about terrorism?

So you deflect attention away from theft?

What if you have terror masked up in your own homes?

Raging at unexpected times

And unleashing violence on children?

And then laughing it off in polite company

With a careless shrug of insolence.

Melting Lemon Drop 18. 12. 2025