Recipe for Idli made from Idli Rava

Idli is undoubtedly one of the healthiest breakfasts in the world. It is easy to make, nutritious and light. This breakfast is very popular in the southern parts of India.

So what is Idli? Idli is a steamed dumpling made with rice and lentils. Nowadays, many recipes for idli have come up. I have also posted my tried and tested recipes for Oats Idli, Quinoa Idli, Rava Soyabean Idli, Rava Idli and Millet Idli. But traditionally, Idlis have made with rice and black gram ( skinless ) lentils. The grains are soaked and then ground together. Then they are fermented overnight. Then the fermented batter is poured into idli moulds and steamed. The idlis are then eaten with Sambar or Chutney.

Idli is made in every South Indian home. In South India, small and big restaurants serve idlies and many other South Indian delicacies like dosa, vada, pongal etc for breakfast. It is a simple and humble breakfast that has been feeding generations of Indians for ages.

Today, the recipe I am sharing is made with Idli Rawa and lentils. Idly Rava is basically coarsely ground rice. Using Idli Rava reduces your work drastically as you don’t have to bother grinding rice ( which is done in traditional Idli making).

Ingredients needed for making Idlis with Idli Rava:

1. Idli Rava: 3 cups, soaked overnight in 3 cups of water
   
   See below: Idli Rava, before and after soaking.
   
   
   
2. Urad Dal (Split Black gram lentils): 1 cup, soaked overnight in 2 cups of water
   
   See below: lentils before and after soaking.
   
   
   
3. Salt: 1 teaspoon
4. Water: To adjust the consistency.

Method for making Idlis with Idli Rava:

1. Grind the soaked lentils to a fine paste.
   
2. Combine with the soaked Idli Rava. Mix well and let the batter ferment ( for about 8-10 hours) in a warm place.
   
   
   
3. The next day, you will find a well-risen idli batter. Add salt to it.
   
   
   
4. Mix well.
   
   
   
5. Grease idly plates with oil or ghee. Now pour the fermented batter.
   
   
   
6. Heat water in an idly stand and bring it to a boil.
   
7. Now place the idly plates inside the idly maker and let them steam for 15 minutes on high heat.
   
8. Once done, remove it from the heat and let it stay closed for about 5 minutes. Then take out the plates and let them rest on the kitchen counter for about 1 minute.
   
   
   
9. Then sprinkle some water on the trays. It will help in removing the idlis efficiently. Remove the idlis with the help of a spoon.
   
   
   

The last time I made these idlis, I served them with Coconut Chutney and Bangalore-style Sambar. However, you can serve them with any chutney of your choice. Check out my 11 Chutney recipes for recipe ideas.

Some additional notes:

1. For my readers in Europe, below are the pictures of Idli Rava and Urad Dal you need for this recipe. These pictures are just for reference to help you identify the product.
   
   
   
2. To get fluffy and soft idlis, the batter must get adequately fermented. If the weather is hot, the batter will get fermented easily in 8-10 hours, even when kept on the kitchen counter. However, if it is cold, keep the batter near a warm place for fermentation. E.g., inside the oven with the light on.
3. An idli steamer is a necessary tool for making idlis. However, you can even make idlis in a regular steamer too. You can pour the idli batter into the steamer plate and steam the idlis.
4. Before keeping the idlis for steaming, always make sure that the water in the steamer is boiling, else the idlis may become hard.

About Ingredient sourcing in Germany:

While you can get some of the ingredients needed for this recipe from a German Supermarket, you can get all of these ingredients from any Indian shop near you. Alternatively, you can check the online store for Spicelands. They are a big store in Frankfurt, delivering all across Germany.

Alternatively, you can even buy these ingredients from amazon.de. Links are given below:

Urad Dal: https://amzn.to/3N224X8
Idli Rava: https://amzn.to/3Mzy1o0
Salt: https://amzn.to/3ACstDM

Equipment needed for the recipe:

Idli Steamer: https://amzn.to/3N3SW41
Mixing Bowl: https://amzn.to/42dy3YD
Mixer:
Option 1 Bosch:https://amzn.to/3LzMbGF (Perfect for Indian cooking, with great reviews)
Option 2: Preethi:https://amzn.to/3n9XCLH ( I use this. It is perfect for Indian cooking, but priced higher than Bosch)

Here is the recipe in printable format:

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Check out other recipes from my kitchen here.

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