Idli step-by-step recipe with photos.
Idli or steamed lentil-rice cake needs no introduction to any Indian. This healthy, protein-rich breakfast is a staple in South India. It’s on the top of my list as a family-favourite. This fermented food is made with the split black gram or urad dal and idli rava (or rice rava). Idli rava is basically coarsely ground boiled rice (also called cream of rice) and not the regular rava that is made with semolina (or wheat).
The nutrition of fermented foods is very well-known. Read more about the health benefits of idli here.
As a child, I have seen my mother grind the dal for the batter using a stone, which was later replaced by a wet-grinder. The wet-grinder too has a stone that fluffs up the dal beautifully. Since I don’t have access to it, I fluff the batter up with my hands.
Getting the batter right is the most important part of getting super-soft idlis. Do read the notes below and follow this step-by-step recipe to make soft and fluffy idlis.
Serve idli with some ghee, sambar and chutney for a healthy brunch.
Points to remember:
- Wash the urad dal before soaking. Don’t wash it after soaking. Use the soaked water for grinding it. Dal contributes more during fermentation than rice and so using the dal-soaked water for grinding will help in fermentation
- The idli batter is thicker in consistency when compared to dosa batter. So while grinding the dal, use less water
- Squeeze out as much water as possible from the idli rava
- The consistency of the batter is very important for the idlis to rise and become fluffy. Watery or runny batter will result in flat idlis
- The temperature and time for fermentation are very important. Make sure you grind the dal at late evening so that you can set it for fermentation overnight
- Place the batter in a warm place for fermentation
- The batter needs to sit in a dark place, away from sunlight for fermentation
- The idli batter stays fresh for 2-3 days when stored in the refrigerator. Make sure you don’t add salt to the entire batter once it is fermented. Scoop out the batter that you will be using immediately and then add salt
This is idli rava
Idli step-by-step recipe with photos
1. Wash the urad dal in running water. Soak it in sufficient water for 4-5 hours
2. Once the urad dal is soaked, grind it into a very smooth batter by adding little water
3. Squeeze out the water from idli rave
4. Add it to the ground urad dal
5. Mix it well making sure that the dal and idli rava are completely incorporated. Let it sit for fermentation
6. The batter is ready to make idli after fermentation
7. Scoop out the batter that you will be using immediately and add salt to it
8. Spoon in batter about ¾ of the mould
9. Steam for 10-12 minutes
10. Soft and fluffy idlis are ready to be served
Idli
Ingredients
Instructions
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