May 24, 2010

Idly - A typical South Indian Breakfast

I was browsing through the recipes in my blog and found that I had very less South Indian breakfast recipes! Hailing from South India, Idlies are a staple at every home. Idlies reserved their position in the breakfast menu atleast once a week. The only big chore is preparing the batter and the rest is a breeze. You have breakfast ready in minutes - just pour the batter in moulds and steam it. The batter could be used in the following days to make dosas after a little more fermentation. These idlies also found its place in lunch boxes occasionally with spiced powder.

Every South Indian makes sure during their first trip to the US that they bring the grinder along with them. It is available in the US these days though. I however prepare my batter in the mixer in the largest jar and it equally turns of great. The key to making idlies is the fermentation process, which results soft, fluffy idlies.

Now onto the recipe...

Ingredients
Par Boiled rice/ Idly Rice - 3 cups
Urad dal (Skinned black gram/lentils) - 1 cup
Cooked rice/ Poha - 2 tablespoons (optional)
Fenugreek seeds - 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste

The parboiled rice and the urad dal should be used in the 3:1 ratio. You could double the quantity for more batter.

Directions
Soak the urad dal and rice seperately along with the fenugreek seeds for atleast 4 to 5 hours.

Strain the water and grind the rice, fenugreek seeds, cooked rice together and the urad dhal separately to a smooth consistency adding water if needed. Add very little water while grinding the urad dhal.

Combine everything together along with the required amount of salt and with your hands incorporate the batter well. it is very important to use your hands for mixing the batter as it is believed that the body heat aids in better fermentation of the batter.

Allow the batter to ferment overnight or at least for 12 hours. The batter rises well. So pour batter in a vessel only 3/4 the height of the vessel. It might overflow otherwise.

Tips for fermenting the batter during cold weather:
Preheat the oven to about 150F and then switch it off. the oven should be slightly warm by this time. Place the batter inside the oven overnight and the slight heat helps the fermentation process. I usually place a plate below the vessel containing the batter just in case the batter overflows and spoils the oven. Reduces the cleaning process!

To make the idlies:
Equipment needed
Pressure cooker
Idly moulds

Grease the idly moulds with little ghee/oil or non-stick cooking spray (PAM) and pour a ladle of batter in each mould. The batter rise a little. So take care to not pour too much of batter.

Take a little water in the pressure cooker about half an inch. Place the idly mould in the cooker and steam for about 15 minutes without the weights. Allow it to sit for five minutes and remove the idlies with a spoon. You can check if the idlies are done using a toothpick . The idlies are done if an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Serve warm with any accompaniment of your choice. Goes well with any variety of chutnies, sambar, thakkali kuzhambu or the humble spice powder!

Sending this to MLLA: 23rd helping hosted by Susan.

43 comments:

  1. OMG !!! Divya, what a lovely idlies :). I am crazy for these spongy wonders and your preparation looks perfect :)

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  2. Lovely...the look itself says that the idlies are so soft and spongy...

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  3. Awesome idlis. Look so white and super soft. Makes me hungry :-)

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  4. loe idllies anytime...your platter made me hungry...simple yet satisfying meal...

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  5. Nice and healthy breakfast.Idlies look very fluffy.

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  6. Good Old Idlies..Great ones for breakfast..great pics Divya !!!

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  7. Idli looks soo soft and white. Love them at any time.

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  8. Idly is eaten by all.its no longer a south indian dish ...haha a typical of every indian

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  9. Simple yet delicious and healthy. I love idlis :)

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  10. Hey Divya

    Idlis look so fluffy and soft. love that plate..super click..

    Love
    Kairali sisters

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  11. wow!!! spongy and soft idlis make me hungry! wounderful...nice click.

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  12. Those do look tender and soft - I'm love to dunk my idlis completely in sambar and then eat it with coconut chutney.

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  13. They look good! You're able to grind the batter with a blender? Mine always turns grainy if I try it???

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  14. Simple yet delicious and healthy.

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  15. Looks so soft and spongy. And on that red plate looks bright:-)

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  16. I lov eidlies but have never ever made them home. Looks so fluffy soft and yumm.

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  17. Wow.. Idlies look soft and spongy. Great that u get such soft idlies inspite of grinding in the mixer. Good job and great clicks too.

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  18. wow.....spoongy idly..i have also posted....this in my blog...

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  19. Authentic south Indian breakfast!!!looks prefect.

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  20. these are my absolute fave .. they look amazing

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  21. Ahem, I should say this is my first ever visit and I didn't even get a grinder nor a mixie with me :-/

    I have not yet started my stint with idli/dosa but with appam, yes. And I was surprised with the excellent results the blender that I bought from US gave me.

    Your idlis look soft and I love that podi you have served it with. It used to be my staple in hostel to somehow eat their rock-hard idli's ;)

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  22. Perfect South Indian break fast.....

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  23. Idlis look just perfect! So soft and spongy!

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  24. Looks delicious!! Nothing like simple home food and idli is the perfect one!!

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  25. Divya , Wow super soft idlis ...Nice click presentation is super ...

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  26. Oh my ! they look so soft n spongy...would melt in the mouth :-)

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  27. ஆஹா..இட்லியினை பார்க்கும் பொழுது எவ்வளவு மென்மையாக இருக்கின்றது...சூப்ப்ர்ப்...

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  28. idly arumai..pam spray use idly seiyava..nalla idea..

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  29. so white...so soft...so fluffy...give me some.i just love them

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  30. Brilliant idea for posting. Keep it up, Divya.

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  31. A delicious reminder that I haven't had idly in a long time. Would love to dip these into some sambar.

    Thanks, Divya, for your great MLLA recipe!

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  32. The idli's look incredibly soft..mine never never comes out soft..i wonder why :(

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  33. Lovely clicks Divya...and the idlies look soft and yummy....wouldn't mind a bite....

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Hi..
Thanks for dropping by my blog and rendering your valuable comments..Hope you had a nice time reading my recipes..Thanks for your encouragement..