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| Idli , sambar, vadai, coconut chutney |
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| Idli with mutton leg paya kulambu |
Ingredients:
Black gram dhal – 1 cup
Idly rice – 3 1/2cups
Fenugreek seeds – 1 tbsp
Salt (rock) – 3 tsp
(This measurement is for those who use Indian Mixer . If you use an Indian grinder take 4 cup Idly rice and 1 cup urad dhal, 1 tbsp fenugreek / methi seeds)
Method:
Soak rice separately for 8 hours. Dhal and fenugreek seeds need to be soaked together for about 3 hours. After that grind dhal till it becomes smooth. Add ice cold water while grinding to get soft idly. Rice should be ground separately.Don't add lot of water. The batter should be thick like softened butter. Add salt and mix the ground urad dhal with the rice mixture .
Store this in a large vessel so that there is enough space for batter to rise. Grinding and storing of batter should be done the previous day, preferably in the night so that the batter would be ready the next day. The batter should be allowed to ferment for about 15 – 18 hours. In India the room temperature is enough to ferment. But here, I usually keep warm the oven , switch off and keep inside overnight. Some people keep it inside microwave too. Both are good, the thing is we need to prevent cold air to come in contact, that's it. The next day,the batter will double. Mix the batter well and pour in to greased idli plates and steam for 10 minutes in a pressure cooker (without pressure valve).
Water should not be added the next day after it ferments. Dhal should be ground preferably in a grinder for at least 20 minutes and rice for 30 minutes.
The batter can also be made using an "Indian Mixer". It will take only 10 minutes.
Tips:
Adding a very little yeast solution will help in winter times (USA). I don't use yeast.
Before making idli on the first day, mix gently and divide it in 3 small containers, if we want idly everyday.
From second day, adding 1/4 tsp baking soda to the batter will give very soft idli and dosa.
Serving suggestions:
Makes about 40 idlis, vary ingredients to reduce or increase number of Idlies.
If you want to make Idlies for 3 days, then just separate the batter in to three portions on the first morning itself and keep them refrigerated.
Serve hot steamed idlis with coconut chutney or Sambar.
See my recipes for coconut chutney and sambar here: Coconut Chutney.Idly sambar
Approximate cal:
1 Idly gives 60 Kcal.
