I didn't know that planning the lunch box menu is such a difficult task until Kedar started school. He does not like to eat on his own unless I give him a bowl of Hakka Noodles or Pasta or homemade Bhel Puri which he will happily eat on his own & ask for a second helping too 

There are very few things that he likes to carry in his lunch box & thankfully Idli is one of them. This is a super easy recipe & a great lunch box option especially for little kiddos. This isn't much of a recipe really. This can be adapted in many ways & it also makes for a healthy party starter with a chutney on the side

You can also use different spice powder to season the Idlis. Maybe a Peanut Chutney Powder, Andhra Gun Powder or even Sambhar powder. Sometimes I also add fried onions. You can also make this using leftover Idlis & serve it as an evening snack.

We always make Rasam with a good amount of Tomatoes & Lentils. And, that's how we've always liked it. So, I've added a bit of roasted lentils to the spice mixture to slightly thicken the texture & give it some taste

• 1 Big Tomato
• 8-10 cloves of Garlic
• A pinch of Turmeric Powder
• A sprig of Curry Leaves
• Chopped Fresh Coriander
• A small piece of Jaggery 
• A Lemon sized Ball of Tamarind
• 1 tsp cooking Oil
• Salt to taste

To Roast & Grind:

• 2 tsp Coriander Seeds
• 2 tsp Tuvar Dal
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 4-5 Dry Red Chilies

• 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
• A pinch of Asafoetida/Hing
• 1 tsp Ghee