IDLI Recipe

Here's a basic recipe for making traditional idlis:

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups idli rice (parboiled rice) or regular rice

2. 1 cup whole or split black lentils (urad dal)

3. 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (optional, but it helps with fermentation)

4. Salt to taste

5. Water for soaking and grinding

6. Oil or ghee for greasing the idli molds

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice and lentils separately a couple of times, then soak them in water. If you're using fenugreek seeds, you can soak them along with the lentils.

2. Soak the rice for around 4-6 hours, and the lentils for about 2-4 hours. Soaking helps in easier grinding and fermentation.

3. Drain the soaked rice and lentils separately.

4. Grind the lentils (urad dal) first. Add some water gradually while grinding to get a smooth and fluffy batter. The consistency should be thick but pourable.

5. Next, grind the rice. Add water gradually and grind until the rice becomes a slightly coarse batter. The consistency of the rice batter should be slightly thicker than the lentil batter.

6. Mix the ground rice and lentil batters together in a large bowl. Add salt to taste and mix well. The proportion of rice to lentils is usually 2:1, but you can adjust it according to your preference.

7. Cover the bowl with a lid or cloth and allow the batter to ferment overnight or for around 8-12 hours. Place it in a warm place, as the fermentation process is aided by warmth.

8. After fermentation, the batter would have risen and become airy and slightly tangy in taste. Give it a gentle mix.

9. Grease the idli molds with oil or ghee to prevent sticking. Fill each mold with the batter, leaving a little space for expansion.

10. Place the idli molds in a steamer or idli cooker. Steam on medium heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the idlis are cooked. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick or knife into an idli; if it comes out clean, the idlis are ready.

11. Once cooked, remove the idli molds from the steamer and allow them to cool for a couple of minutes.

12. Use a spoon or a wet spatula to gently remove the idlis from the molds. They should come out easily.

Your idlis are now ready to be served!

Serve them hot with coconut chutney, sambar, or any other accompaniments of your choice. Enjoy the soft and fluffy goodness of freshly made idlis!