This Soft Idli Recipe can be categorized as one of the easy Indian Breakfast Recipes. These are steamed rice cakes that are also high on nutrition.
Idlis, besides being one of the easy Indian breakfast recipes is also a complete meal by itself.
Idlis can be had at any meal, not only breakfast but also lunch and dinner because they are so filling. It also makes a perfect snack for your kid’s tiffin box. The right amount of carbohydrates and protein makes a healthy meal and hence idli is one such meal.
To get soft Idlis you must have a proper recipe of soft idli batter. That is the perfect combination of rice and urad dal. The ratio of rice to urad dal varies depending on the region and also the individual taste.
I tried different ratios to get a good recipe of soft idli but the ratio of rice to urad dal 3:1 works fine for me. This ratio yields soft fluffy idlis each time.
SOFT IDLI BATTER RECIPE
For the recipe of soft idli batter, you will need idli rice, the short round variety which is locally available. But you could also use Sona Masuri or parboiled rice. Also use good quality white urad dal, preferably the whole skinned dal. This dal is available in any of the south Indian groceries or also in any mall.
Traditionally, we soak the rice and urad dal separately and then grind them in the wet grinder.
Wet grinder is a grinder with a stone attachment for grinding especially batter for idli. Grinding the idli batter in this wet grinder also yields nice fluffy idlis and you will not need to add anything else.
For families like us, who do not make idlis regularly do not own a wet grinder. No issues, but you can still get softer idlis by grinding the batter in a mixer blender.
For making batter for soft idli in the mixer blender, you will need:
- Idli rice (Raw) – 3 cups or Parboiled Rice – 2 cups
- Urad dal – 1 cup
- Poha or pressed rice – 1 cup (optional)
- Methi seeds – 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste
Recipe of Soft Idli Batter
Soak 3 cups of idli rice and 1 cup of urad dal with 1 tbsp methi seeds for 3 – 5 hours and later grind it into a paste in the mixer blender.
For soft and fluffy idlis you must soak the idli rice and urad dal separately. Also, soak the methi seeds with the rice. Add 1-cup poha or pressed rice to the blender while grinding the batter.
Pour the blended batter in a vessel, mix well and add salt to taste and then place a lid over it and let it ferment overnight.
After the batter has fermented, then the next morning, pour sufficient water in an idli cooker or steamer and let it come to a rolling boil.
In the meanwhile, grease the idli trays and then pour a spoonful of batter in each mould and let it steam in the idli steamer for 8- 10 minutes.
When the idlis are still warm, unmould the idlis with the help of a spoon dipped in water. Serve idlis with sambhar or with chutney.
OTHER EASY INDIAN BREAKFAST RECIPE
Chutney for Idli Recipe
Recipe of Soft Idli
Equipment
- Idli cooker, mixer blender
Ingredients
- 3 cups Idli Rice
- 1 cup Urad dal
- 1 tsp Methi seeds
- 1 cup Poha or pressed rice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak rice, dal and methi seeds for 3 – 5 hours and then grind it into a paste in a mixer blender.
- Pour the idli batter into a vessel, mix well and add salt. Cover the vessel with a lid and let the batter ferment overnight.
- Place an idli cooker or steamer on high flame with sufficient water and let it come to a boil.
- Grease the idli plates and pour spoonfuls of batter into it. Once the water in the idli cooker comes to a boil place the plates in the cooker and let it steam for 8 – 10 minutes on a high to medium flame.
- When the idlis are still warm, unmould them with the help of a spoon.
- Serve with sambhar or chutney.
Notes
- Â Fermenting of idli batter may take more than 12 hours depending on the climate.
- Do not over mix the idli batter.
- Do not attempt to make idlis if the batter is not fermented well.
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