RAVA IDLY

Another famous tiffin from Tamilnadu ,or I could say South India is Rava idly.
Rava as it is called in Tamil or sooji in Hindi and cream of wheat in US is a very handy item to be in our pantry.We can make lots and lots of quick dishes like uppma, dosa, idly,pongal,Kesari, kheer,dhokla......the list can go on and on.
Yesterday when i made this idly i added some chopped vegetables too .Not only tasty but was nutritious too.
I have heard many people complain that their rava idly isn't as soft as normal idly.I too had this problem till my cousin Shob's(shobana)told me the secret...
so here comes the little simple secret...but first the recipe :)

INGREDIENTS:
Rava/sooji -1 cup
Buttermilk-1 1/2 cup(approximately)
Vegetables chopped-1/2cup(optional)
Curry leaf chopped- few
Greenchilli-for taste
Ginger chopped-1/2 tsp
Asefotida-pinch
Pepper-1/2 tsp
Jeera-1/2 tsp
Soda bi carb-1 pinch
Salt-for taste
Oil or ghee-to fry
METHOD:
1)Churn the sour curds well to make buttermilk without adding water.
2)Heat Oil/ghee in a pan season with pepper,jeera and asefodita.
3)Add finely chopped green chilli and vegetables and saute .
4)Add rava and fry well till nice aroma comes.
Here comes the secret.....
5)Mix rava with curds just before making idly (batter should be in the normal idly batter consistency)
6)Add soda bi carb and mix well along with salt.
7)Heat water in the idly cooker and then place the idly mould and steam.
Serve with chutney or podi.