Soft Idlis with Rice Rava

Idli is a popular South Indian breakfast dish made from a batter of fermented rice and lentils (typically Urad dal). It is steamed and has a soft, spongy texture. It is typically served with chutney and sambar and is considered to be a healthy and nutritious meal. The batter is made by soaking Urad dal and fenugreek seeds, grinding the mixture to a thick consistency, mixing with soaked rice rava or idli rava, and fermenting for 8 hours. The fermented batter is then steamed in an idli cooker.

CategoryDifficultyBeginner

Yields2 Servings
Prep Time12 hrs 10 minsCook Time20 minsTotal Time12 hrs 30 mins

 1 cup Urad Dal
 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
 2.50 cups Idli Rava
 Salt as required

1

Wash and soak Urad dal and Fenugreek seeds for 4 hours.

2

Grind the soaked mixture into a smooth batter.

3

Soak Idli Rava for 2 hours.

4

Mix the Urad dal batter with the soaked Idli Rava and combine well.

5

Cover and place the mixture in a warm area to ferment for 8 hours.

6

After 8 hours, add salt and mix gently.

7

Grease Idli molds with oil, pour in the batter.

8

Steam the batter in an Idli cooker for 10 minutes or until fully cooked.

9

Serve hot with chutney and sambar.

Idli

Ingredients

 1 cup Urad Dal
 1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
 2.50 cups Idli Rava
 Salt as required

Directions

1

Wash and soak Urad dal and Fenugreek seeds for 4 hours.

2

Grind the soaked mixture into a smooth batter.

3

Soak Idli Rava for 2 hours.

4

Mix the Urad dal batter with the soaked Idli Rava and combine well.

5

Cover and place the mixture in a warm area to ferment for 8 hours.

6

After 8 hours, add salt and mix gently.

7

Grease Idli molds with oil, pour in the batter.

8

Steam the batter in an Idli cooker for 10 minutes or until fully cooked.

9

Serve hot with chutney and sambar.

Notes

Soft Idlis with Rice Rava

Tips

  • Soak the Urad dal and Fenugreek seeds for at least 4 hours for a soft and fluffy Idli.
  • Use a wet grinder to grind the batter for a smoother consistency.
  • Place the batter in a warm area to ferment for at least 8 hours.
  • Mix salt gently into the batter to avoid deflating the fermented batter.
  • Grease the Idli molds lightly with oil to prevent the Idlis from sticking.
  • Use a steamer or pressure cooker to cook the Idlis. Ensure that the water in the steamer or pressure cooker does not touch the Idlis.
  • Cook the Idlis on medium heat for 10 minutes or until they are soft and spongy.
  • Serve hot Idlis with chutney and sambar for a delicious breakfast.
  • Store the batter in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • You can add some finely chopped vegetables or spices to the batter for a flavorful twist.

FAQs

Q. What is Idli Rava and where can I find it?
A: Idli Rava is a type of semolina used to make Idlis. It can be found in Indian grocery stores or online.

Q. Can I use regular semolina instead of Idli Rava?
A: Regular semolina may not give the same texture and result as Idli Rava, but it can be used as a substitute.

Q. Can I make the batter in a blender instead of grinding it?
A: Yes, a blender can be used to grind the Urad dal and Fenugreek seeds, but a wet grinder is preferred as it gives a smoother batter.

Q. How long does the batter need to ferment?
A: The batter should be fermented for at least 8 hours in a warm area.

Q. What should I do if the batter hasn’t fermented enough?
A: If the batter hasn’t fermented enough, you can place it in a warm area for a few more hours.

Q. Can I make Idlis without a steamer?
A: Yes, you can make Idlis in a pressure cooker by placing a stand in the bottom and covering the cooker with a lid without the whistle.

Q. How long does it take to cook Idlis?
A: It takes about 10 minutes to cook Idlis in an Idli cooker.

Q. How many Idlis does this recipe make?
A: The number of Idlis this recipe makes depends on the size of your Idli molds. But with the given quantity, it makes around 12-15 medium-sized Idlis.

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