Green Peas (Hare Matar) Idli Without Food Color

Idli is a traditional specialty of the Southern region of India.  It has two main ingredients- urad dal (black gram) and rice that are soaked and battered. It is soft and fluffy in texture and is like a rice cake.

Generally, people use spinach to make idli green. But here we have use peas to get the nice green color in it and make green idli.

It is not only popular in India but also in other parts of the globe too, like Singapore, Malaysia and especially in Sri Lanka. Idli is a vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan dish and is considered to be the most healthy recipe.

If you want you can make idli with semolina as we have instead of rice in it. This dish is enjoyed with Coconut chutney and sambhar, another authentic South Indian recipe.

Also, traditionally we need to soak the rice and urad dal overnight before making it in the batter. Yet, this recipe does not need that long time.

It only requires 10-15 minutes to rest the batter and another ten-fifteen minutes to make a batch of idlis. Hence, you can say it is an instant idli recipe.

Likewise, you can use carrots to give a nice orange color. And experiment with various ingredients to make your own version of this authentic South Indian recipe.

Have a look at our similar recipes like South Indian Idli and Palak Paneer Cheese Dosa.

Watch Green Idli Recipe Video


Ingredients of Green Idli

  • Green Peas - 100 gm
  • Ginger - 8 pcs small size
  • Green Chili - 2 pcs
  • Salt - to taste
  • Semolina - 200 gm
  • Curd - 100 gm
  • Edible Oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard Seeds - 1 tbsp
  • White Urad Dal - 1 tbsp
  • Curry Leaves - 1 tbsp
  • Eno powder - 1 sachet/ small pouch
  • Water - 1/2 tbsp

Steps for Green Idli

  • Take green peas, ginger, green chili and salt. Grind them.
  • Drop the green peas paste in a bowl and add suji and curd to it. Mix well. You will get the desired natural green texture for making idli green. Cover and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Add oil in a heated pan. Add mustard seeds and white urad dal. Fry till white urad dal is brown.
  • After that add curry leaves in the saute.
  • Now add the tadka to the green batter and mix well. Cover and leave it untill you need to put it in pan.
  • Take the batter and add eno powder. Also, add water and mix it properly.
  • Take idli pan and grease it with cooking oil.
  • Lastly, fill the green idli batter in the idli pan. Steam it for approx 10 to 12 minutes
  • Matar Idli is Ready. Serve it with sauce or coconut chutney.

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