Idli - From my kitchen to yours....

Most often eaten at breakfast or as a snack in South India, idlis are usually served in pairs with Sambhar and Chutney. A favourite of all Indian kids and grown ups alike, I couldn't help myself from posting this to share with all...
Steamed Rice cakes or popularly called as Idlis in India are super healty and deliiiicious.........



Ingredients:

1. 1 cup skinless Urad dal soaked in water for 2 hours and then finely grind
2. Half teaspoon methi seeds
3. 1 cup Idli rawa
4. 3 cups of Rice flour
5. Tangy Yogurt for fermentation / 1 teaspoon of Yeast

Soak the urad dal in water for 2-3 hours and then finely grind it with the methi seeds. Mix the Idli rawa and rice flour and stir it well. Add some more water to get the consistency such that when you pour it from a spatula there is a little elasticity to it. It should be watery. Add the yogurt/yeast and stir it well.

Cover it with a lid and set it aside to raise up for about 8-9 hrs at a warm spot in your kitchen. I generally put the light on of my grill oven and put it there for the night.

Method :


Be sure that you have an idli maker which looks like the one on the side! you can get it in any Indian grocery store here in Chicago. In India - go to any utensil shop and you can get it...
Lightly oil the base of the idli stand so that it is easy for the idlies to come out when cooked.

Alternate is to use the Idli Microwave maker.

Pour the batter in the idli stand indentations as shown in the picture. Stack the plates one on top of other, make sure that you start with the last stand and stack on top. Also, be careful not to fill the idli batter till the brim - on steaming the idli's expand.






Place it in a pressure cooker or Idli maker. Pour 2 cups of water in the idli maker/pressure cooker so that the steam from the water will help cook the idlis. If using the pressure cooker remove the whistle.

Once the pressure build up, let it cook for 15 min. Then open the idli maker/pressure cooker and let the idli cool for 5 min or so. With a spoon washed with cold water carefully scoop the idlis out.
If using Microwave Idli maker then set it on high power for 10-12min.

Enjoy with the Sambhar and Chutney....!!!

 - Enjoy these and stay warm in snow jammed Chicago weather!!
    Pallavi