Idli (savory rice and lentil cake) is one of the most popular, healthy, and nutritious breakfasts from India. It is one of my all-time favorite breakfasts and I can never get bored of eating it. I have fond memories of eating homemade idlis by my mother. During college days, when staying away from home and with roommates, we were lucky to buy fresh idlis from a lady who made it every day. She used to wrap it in a banana leaf with some fresh coconut chutney and it tasted heavenly.
These days, it is a regular food at home. Idli batter is also easily available in Indian grocery stores. For those who are busy and lack time to make the batter, a ready-made batter is a great option.
Why you will love Idlis?
- Idlis are healthy as we cook them by steaming and have a good proportion of carbohydrates and protein in them.
- They are easy to make once you have the fermented batter ready.
- Idlis make a great combination with chutneys, sambar(lentil soup), etc.
- Great for kids' lunch boxes, picnics, and get-togethers.
Ingredients Needed
- Idli rice soaked in water overnight - Idli rice is made with parboiled rice, it is short with a bulge and is white.
- Split black gram (urad dal ) soaked in water overnight
- Fenugreek seeds - Improve texture and make softer and fluffier idlis
- Salt to taste
- Cooked rice - Adding this makes the idlis softer.
How to make steamed Idli (Savory rice and lentil cakes)
Idli is regarded as a healthy food as it is steamed and made with soaked, ground, and fermented rice and split black gram. It has a great combination of carbohydrates and protein. The fermentation process increases the availability of nutrients and this, in turn, helps in easy assimilation. We start with soaking the rice, lentils, and fenugreek seeds for about 8 hours. Grind them along with the cooked rice to make a smooth batter in a mixie or a wet grinder. Keep it in a warm place like your oven with a light on or in the instant pot with the yogurt option so it ferments well.
It is traditionally a breakfast item, but with a combination of sambar (spicy and tangy lentil soup) or chutney made with coconut and green chilies to go with it, it can be a meal by itself. You need a special idli cooker to make idlis. Traditionally, the cooker is like a steamer with little circular compartments to steam idlis. Nowadays, we also have microwaveable idli cookers for convenience. The overall process of soaking, grinding, fermenting, and steaming idlis, serving, and of course relishing it, is a truly satisfying experience!
Idli steamed rice and lentil cake
Ingredients
- 6 cups rice idli rice - soaked in water overnight
- 2 cups black lentil urad dal soaked in water overnight
- 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 31/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup rice cooked
Instructions
- Soak and immerse the rice, split black gram (urad dal )and fenugreek seeds in water overnight
- Grind the rice to a fine paste with a little water in a wet grinder
- Pour the batter into a container
- Next grind the split black gram (urad dal ), fenugreek and cooked rice to a fine paste
- Pour this batter into the same container containing the rice batter
- Add salt and mix well
- Keep it covered in a humid or warm place for fermenting
- After about 6 to 8 hours the batter will ferment and rise up
- Fill water in the idli cooker and bring it to a boil.
- Add the batter to the circular compartments coated with a little oil in the idli steaming plates .
- Arrange the idli stand with the batter in the steaming plates , close the lid and steam.
- The steam starts giving out a whistling sound as it is getting cooked.After about 15 to 20 minutes the idlis will be cooked.
- Let it cool down for about 10 minutes. Take out the idli plates from the steamer.Gently scoop out the idlis with a spoon and transfer into a serving bowl.
- Serve with coconut or tomato chutney , sambar or chutney powder.
Nutrition
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My favourite ... looks delicious ❤️
Thank you so much!
Such a super shots of idli💯
Thanks dear much appreciated!
These are amazing!!!
Thank you so much Diane!
Such fluffy and soft idlis !! Wondeful share Nisha !
Thank you so much Smitha !
Idlis are mine favourite too....like you said you never get bored of eating them ..so am I....my first choice for breakfast .... lovely share Nisha
That's wonderful to hear .Thank you so much for the lovely comment!
Looks absolutely perfect & utterly delicious! This is my favourite food!
Thank you so much dear , it's my favorite as well!
Wonderful! These look so fluffy and soft!💖
Thank you very much, they were indeed soft and fluffy!
Soul food.. one thing which I will never get bored off ! Your idli looks super soft.
Thank you so much , appreciate the comments!
So awesome recipe!! I have to try it when my mum will leave 💕💕
Going to print out! Cool function 💙💙
U could cut the “comment-form” in dashboard cuz each time writing email can be disturbing for some ppl lol
Thank you for the comments Ray, I think you will definitely like it! The comment-form came as a result of the wordpress upgrade for the GDPR fixes. I believe once the check box is checked for "Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment" , it shouldn't ask the next time unless cache is cleared and hope that works!