How to Make Idli
Idli is a popular South Indian dish made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It is known for its fluffy texture and is generally served with chutney and sambar. Follow this step-by-step guide to make idli at home.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of rice (preferably parboiled)
- 1 cup of split urad dal (black gram)
- 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
Instructions:
- Soak: Rinse the rice and urad dal separately. Soak the rice with fenugreek seeds and urad dal in water for at least 6-8 hours or overnight.
- Grind: Drain the soaked ingredients and blend them separately. Use a little water for grinding until the rice is coarse and the dal is smooth, then mix them together in a large bowl.
- Ferment: Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let it sit in a warm place for 8-12 hours until the batter doubles in volume and gets bubbly.
- Prepare: Grease idli molds and pour the fermented batter into each mold. You can also add, if desired, finely chopped vegetables or spices.
- Steam: Place the molds in a steamer and cook for about 10-15 minutes until they are cooked completely. You can check by inserting a toothpick.
- Serve: Carefully remove the idlis from the molds and serve hot with coconut chutney and sambar.