Idli
Ingredients:
Idli rice (Par Boiled Rice) : 4 Cups
Urad dhal : 1 Cup
Fenugreek : 1 tbsp (Optional)
Salt: as per taste
Method:
Wash Idli rice and Urad dhal separately for 2 to 3 times. Soak the Idli rice and Urud dhal (with fenugreek) separately in water for 4 to 5 hours. Use the soaking water for grinding purpose.
Grind Urad Dhal and Fenugreek together in a mixer or grinder nicely with the soaked water. While grinding add soaked water and mix the batter often. Grind the Soaked Rice separately (little coarsely).
Mix the Urud and Rice batter together with salt properly with hand.
Allow it to fermentation under a closed vessel with enough space (for a night).
After fermentation, mix the batter completely.
Pour the batter in required quantities in Idly vessel plates covered with muslin clothes or greased with oil/ghee.
Steam it for 7 to 10 minutes and serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
Tips for making soft Idlis (without Grinder even in Cold Countries):
While grinding through mixer, use ice cooled water (or ices cubes). If the mixer becomes hot, stop it and allow it to cool. If the mixer becomes hot, idlis will not be soft. If you are not using any cooled water, generally don't run the mixer continuously for more than 30 seconds. While grinding through mixer, grind the batter little lighter than Grinding it in through Grinder.
In cold temperatures, (like Europe, UK and Canada), omit Fenugreek. Add 2 to 3 tbsp of soaked cooked rice (minimum 4 hours in soaked condition) to urad dhal, while grinding. Keep the batter in a closed steel container near the heater areas for a day or two. Once it is fermented, remove the light yellowish layer forms on top of the batter before mixing it.
Timesaving Tips :
To save time and prevent making idlis with sour batter, you can make idlis when the batter is fresh. Allow it to cool to room temperature and keep it in freezer. When required, take out from freezer, keep outside for about 10 minutes (or defrost in microwave oven). Wrap 3 or 4 idlis in a well damped (with water) cotton cloth and microwave for about 2 to 3 minutes to get steaming hot idlis