Easiest Way to Prepare Yummy Idli Steamed Rice & Lentil Cake

Idli Steamed Rice & Lentil Cake. Food writer Petrina Verma Sarkar is a native of India with extensive knowledge of the country's regional cuisines. Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process.. Idli, or Idly, are soft steamed rice cakes made from a fermented batter of idli rice and urad dal (split black lentils).

The fermentation process breaks down the starches so that they are more readily. Idli - Steamed Sourdough Rice and Lentil Buns. Idli is a traditional South Indian steamed rice and lentil bun, that is vegan and totally gluten-free. You can have Idli Steamed Rice & Lentil Cake using 5 ingredients and 13 steps. Here is how you cook it.

Ingredients of Idli Steamed Rice & Lentil Cake

1. Prepare 1 Cup of White Urad Daal.
2. It's 2 Cup of Rava.
3. Prepare to taste of Salt.
4. You need 1 tsp of Fenugreek Seeds.
5. You need as needed of Oil For greasing the mold.

Add ⅔ cup water and make a fine paste of dropping consistency. Idli, a round shaped steamed rice-lentil cake, is one of the healthiest breakfast item of Indian Cuisine and staple food of South Indians. It is prepared by steaming the batter made of short-grain rice and protein rich urad dal and its preparation doesn't require use of cooking oil apart from greasing the idli moulds in which batter is poured to give it a round disc shape. Then, grind the rice with a stone grinder or a blender, and repeat with the urad dal.

Idli Steamed Rice & Lentil Cake step by step

1. Wash the Daal thoroughly in a medium bowl until the water runs clear..
2. Soak covered in 2-3 cups of water & the Methi Seeds for about 2 hours..
3. Place the Idli Rava in a large bowl.  Add 4-5 Cups of water & let it soak covered for about 2 hours as well..
4. Drain the water from the Daal & the Idli Rava.  Grind the Daal along with the Methi Seeds & 3/4th cup of fresh water..
5. Mix it with the Idli Rava. Mix well.  Cover with a tight lid or Cling Wrap & leave it to ferment overnight or 8-10 hours..
6. Note: During hot summers the batter may rise in just 4 to 5 hours & during winters it may take up to 16 hours or so.  Add Salt when ready to cook..
7. Heat water in an Idli Steamer/Large Pot/Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot. Check the level of water. It should not touch the lowest Idli mold/plate..
8. Grease the Idli molds lightly with oil.  *Use a basting brush for convenience.  Pour ladleful of batter in the greased Idli molds..
9. Place in the Idli Steamer/large Pot/Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot carefully when the water comes to a boil on high heat. Cover.  Reduce heat to medium. Steam for 15 minutes..
10. Note: 1) If using a Pressure Cooker do not use the weight/whistle. If you do, your Idlis will be hard as rocks.  2)If using an Instant Pot, select the “Steam” mode & use a glass lid..
11. When done, take out the Idli Stand carefully & use a thin plastic or silicone spatula to unmold the Idlis..
12. Serve hot bottom side up with Sambar & Chutney..
13. .

Menu Soups Appetizers South Indian Specials Tandoori Veg Entrees Non-Veg Entrees. Idli is a soft & fluffy steamed cake made of fermented rice & lentil batter. These are one of the healthiest protein packed Breakfasts from South Indian cuisine. Idli are easily digestible as the rice & lentils known as DAL are soaked, ground, fermented & then prepared by steaming the batter. These are served with a chutney and or with a tiffin sambar.