how to make soft idli recipe | idli batter recipe | soft idli with wet grinder in a detailed photo and video recipe. basically revisiting the age-old traditional recipe with 5 essential tips to make soft and spongy idli recipes. even though the recipe contains only 3 ingredients, yet it has to be perfectly executed to get the best results. this recipe is perfect for morning breakfast or perhaps can also be used to prepare bun dosa, appe and even uttapam using the same batter in the following days.
how to make soft idli recipe | idli batter recipe | soft idli with wet grinder in a step by step photo and video recipe. south indian breakfast recipes are incomplete without mentioning idli or dosa recipes. we all think we know how to prepare the batter for idli and dosa, but it is always good to know some basic and essential tips to make it even batter. this recipe post covers the simple idli batter recipe to prepare soft and spongy idli using a wet grinder and basic kitchen equipment’s.
as i was explaining earlier, we all think we know how to prepare idli or dosa batter recipes. but then we accidentally stumble upon a better way or even a simple tip and you start wondering why i did not know this earlier? i always get this feeling for every day to day task or recipe. perhaps that’s how we learn and evolve and eventually start making things better. for instance this idli recipe, i had posted a long back, but i always like to experiment with the tried and tested recipes. most commonly i do not end up with good results, but i like the experience and knowledge gained out of it. but sometimes i do get some fruitful results and i prefer to share them with video. i guess that’s my job is to keep on experimenting and share the result as a food blogger. well, i have taken the same approach with this idli recipe and shared 5 tips to make soft and spongy idli. you would never be disappointed with the result and even try again and again.
additionally, some more precautionary steps, tips, suggestions and variants for the soft idli recipe. firstly, the grounding of rice and urad dal in a wet grinder plays an important role in the fermentation and softness of idli. while, you can also use a mixer grinder to ground the rice and urad dal, but you may not get the same consistency and hence the final result. secondly, there is a misconception out there about having one batter for dosa and idli. i strongly do not agree with that concept. the ratio is completely different. while you can prepare thick dosa, you cannot prepare a crisp dosa like masala dosa with idli batter. lastly, the fermentation has to be done within 8-12 hours. if it extends above that, the freshness of the batter goes away and it may start smelling differently. therefore, if you are living in a dry cold place, you may use the oven or even cover the vessel with a warm cloth for humidity effect.
finally, i do request you to check my other related idli recipes collection with this post on how to make soft idli recipes. it mainly includes my other related recipes dahi idli, goli idli, leftover rice idli, stuffed idli, poha idli, aloo idli, rava idli, idli, cucumber idli, idli dhokla. it mainly includes my other related recipe categories like,
how to make soft idli video recipe:
recipe card for how to make soft idli recipe:
how to make soft idli recipe | idli batter recipe | soft idli with wet grinder
Ingredients
- 1 cup urad dal
- 2 cup idli rice
- water, for soaking and grinding
- 2 tsp salt
Instructions
- firstly, in a large bowl soak 1 cup urad dal for 2 hours.
- also, soak 2 cup idli rice for hours.
- after, 1 hour of soaking of urad dal, drain off the water and transfer to the grinder.
- grind for 45 minutes adding water as required. use urad dal soaked water for grinding, as it helps in fermentation.
- scrape the sides and grind until the batter turns soft and fluffy.
- transfer the batter to a large vessel and keep it aside.
- in the same grinder add soaked rice and grind.
- grind to a coarse paste adding water as required.
- transfer the rice batter to the same vessel.
- mix well making sure everything is well combined. mixing the batter with hand helps to aid fermentation.
- cover and ferment in a warm place for 8 hours.
- the batter is well fermented when it has doubled in volume.
- mix the batter gently, without disturbing the air pockets.
- add 2 tsp salt and mix gently.
- grease the idli plate with oil and pour the batter.
- steam the idli for 10 minutes or until the toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- finally, enjoy soft idli with chutney and sambar.
Nutrition
how to make with step by step photo:
- firstly, in a large bowl soak 1 cup urad dal for 2 hours.
- also, soak 2 cup idli rice for hours.
- after, 1 hour of soaking of urad dal, drain off the water and transfer to the grinder.
- grind for 45 minutes adding water as required. use urad dal soaked water for grinding, as it helps in fermentation.
- scrape the sides and grind until the batter turns soft and fluffy.
- transfer the batter to a large vessel and keep it aside.
- in the same grinder add soaked rice and grind.
- grind to a coarse paste adding water as required.
- transfer the rice batter to the same vessel.
- mix well making sure everything is well combined. mixing the batter with hand helps to aid fermentation.
- cover and ferment in a warm place for 8 hours.
- the batter is well fermented when it has doubled in volume.
- mix the batter gently, without disturbing the air pockets.
- add 2 tsp salt and mix gently.
- grease the idli plate with oil and pour the batter.
- steam the idli for 10 minutes or until the toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- finally, enjoy soft idli with chutney and sambar.
notes:
- firstly, make sure to grind the batter really well, as it helps to make idli soft.
- also, ferment the batter in a warm place to hasten the fermentation process. if you live in a cold climate, then you can warm the oven and place it in it or use an instant pot for fermentation.
- additionally, you can replace rice with idli rava to reduce the preparation time.
- finally, soft idli recipe tastes great when served hot.