Chits Kitchen

Idli or South Indian Idli is one of the healthiest rice-lentil breakfast recipes prepared in Indian homes. It is a South Indian recipe which is prepared not only in India but also in various parts of the world. It is a soft circle shaped cake prepared from Rice and Urad dal. We can also prepare Idli with Rava and dal. Idli is served with Sambar and Coconut Chutney. Here I have prepared the idlis with rice and Urad dal. There are a number of factors that we need to keep in mind while preparing the batter. I have mentioned all the factors below.

To prepare a soft, fluffy and spongy idli, we need to prepare the batter of right consistency. If the consistency is right the idli will come out soft. It depends on how you prepare the batter. The other factor for preparing soft and fluffy idlis is proper fermentation of batter. If the batter ferments well, the idlis will also come out good. Fermentation happens when you keep the batter in warm place. In summer days, fermentation is easily possible by keeping it in open space. In winter proper fermentation is not possible. To ferment it, keep the batter near heater or any warm place in the kitchen. Also keep it for a longer duration of time.

We need to prepare the batter by mixing the Rice and Urad Dal in right proportion. I usually add them in 3:1 proportion. It helps in making soft and fluffy idli. If the proportion is not proper, idlis will not come out good. I remember my initial days when I prepared Idli and the proportion of rice and dal was not proper. Idli was not soft and spongy. Then I had to correct it by adding only rice batter in correct proportion. It was then when the idli became soft and spongy. The other factor for soft idli is the steaming of batter for proper amount of time. Do not steam the Idli for longer time. Ideally 15-20 minutes is fine. Here I will also use Eno Salt for making the idlis soft.

To prepare Idli, soak the Rice and Urad Dal separately in water. Soak them overnight or for 8-9 hours so that Rice and Dal easily becomes soft and is easy to grind. Take the soaked Rice and Urad Dal in a mixer grinder jar and grind them to prepare smooth batter. You can prepare the batter by taking both the ingredients together in the jar and then grinding it or you can grind them separately one after the other and later on mix them together. The choice is yours.

After grinding, allow the batter to ferment by keeping it in warm place for about 4-5 hours. On fermentation the batter quantity increases little bit. Also the batter becomes little sour. Sour batter makes proper and tasty idlis. Now steam the batter without the use of oil. We use Oil only to grease the moulds where we pour the batter to prepare the idli. We need to steam the batter for about 15-20 minutes. After 15-20 minutes switch off the gas and take out the moulds from the steamer. Then with the help of knife, take out the soft and fluffy Idlis from the moulds. Idli is ready to serve.

Remember to check whether the idlis have been cooked properly or not. To check take a toothpick and insert it into the idli and then take it out. If the tooth pick comes out clean, it means the idlis are now fine to eat. If it does not come out clean then steam it for more time. I would request you to try this recipe and give your valuable comments in the comment section.

Serve Idli with Sambhar and Coconut Chutney. To prepare Vegetable Sambar and Coconut Chutney, visit the below links:

Vegetable Sambar/Sambar Recipe

Coconut Chutney/South Indian Coconut Chutney

Let’s begin to prepare South Indian Idli or simply called Idli….

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South Indian Idli / How to make Idli with rice

Idli is one of the healthiest breakfasts which don’t require any oil or spice. Soft, spongy and fluffy Idlis is prepared by Rice and Urad Dal batter. The batter is poured in the steamer moulds and then steamed in the steamer or cooker for 15-20 minutes. It is then taken out from the moulds and then served with Sambhar and Chutney.

Course Breakfast, Main Course

Cuisine Indian, South Indian

Keyword Idli, South Indian Idli

Preparation Time 8 hours hours

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Passive Time 0 minutes minutes

Total Time 8 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories

Author Recipe by Chits

Equipments:

• Mixer Grinder
• Steamer/Idli Maker

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups Rice
• 1/2 cup Urad Dal
• Eno (or Any Fruit Salt) As required
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• Water to make paste and steam

Instructions:

• Take the Rice and was it in running water to remove the starch. Soak in water.
• Take the Urad Dal and wash it properly. Keep it also soaked in water overnight.
• The next day, wash the rice and dal with fresh water. Strain them out and keep in a separate bowl.
• Mix both the ingredients uniformly. Take small amount of the mixture in a mixer grinder jar
• Add Red Chilli Powder and Salt. Also add little amount of water.
• Switch on the grinder and make a smooth batter. Take it out in a separate bowl.
• Now in the similar manner, prepare the batter for the remaining rice and dal.
• Keep the batter in an open place for few hours so that the batter ferments. It is done to bring a better taste to it.
• After few hours, the batter is ready to prepare idlis.
• Heat the idli maker or steamer pan over medium heat. Add required amount of water.
• In the meantime, grease the pan with right amount of oil and keep it aside.
• Take the batter and add Eno or Fruit Salt to it. Mix and stir it quickly so that it gets mixed evenly throughout the batter. We will see that the quantity of batter increases.
• The Fruit Salt should be mixed properly so that we get a good texture of idli. The batter leaves froth and bubbles start appearing. At this time the batter should be poured into the pan immediately.
• Take the greased pan and pour the batter into it.
• Place the pan in the steamer or cooker. While placing the pan we must see that the water should already be boiling.
• Steam the batter for 15-20 minutes or as required over medium flame.
• After 15-20 minutes switch off the flame. Tasty and delicious Idli is ready.
• Take a toothpick and insert it into the idli. If it comes out clean, idli is ready.If the batter sticks to the toothpick, we have to steam the batter for some more time.
  
• When the idli cools down a little, take a sharp knife and gently slid it along the edges. Take out the idli in a plate.
  
• Idli is ready to be served. Serve it with Sambhar and Coconut Chutney.
  

Notes:

1. The Rice should be soaked in water for overnight. Keep it in open space.
2. After grinding the rice and making a smooth batter, keep it in open space for 4-5 hours. Froth will appear. This will make the batter taste little sour.
3. While grinding the rice, we must keep in mind that the water is added to the rice gradually. This will prevent in making the batter thin and the right consistency can be obtained.
4. While steaming idli, take a toothpick and insert it in the idli and take it out. If it comes out clean, it means the idli is cooked properly. If it doesn’t comes out clean, cook the idlis for some more time.