{"id":"recipe_62d9b811c5","slug":"soft-and-fluffy-idli","title":"Soft and Fluffy Idli","description":"A classic South Indian steamed rice cake made from a fermented batter of parboiled rice and urad dal. These pillowy, gluten-free cakes are a staple breakfast served with chutney and sambar.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":1100,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups Idli rice (parboiled rice)","name":"Rice","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"parboiled","notes":"specifically Idli rice","group":"Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/2 cup Urad dal (split husked black gram)","name":"Urad dal","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"split husked","notes":"","group":"Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds","name":"Fenugreek","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"helps in fermentation and flavor","group":"Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tsp Salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"Water for soaking and grinding","name":"Water","quantity":350,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"filtered","notes":"use as needed for consistency","group":"Batter","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"Oil for greasing","name":"Oil","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"tsp","form":"liquid","notes":"vegetable or sesame oil","group":"Steaming","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Rinse the idli rice and urad dal separately. Soak the rice in one bowl and the urad dal with fenugreek seeds in another bowl with plenty of water for 4 to 6 hours.","group":"Preparation","title":"Rinse the idli rice and urad dal separately","timerMinutes":360,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Drain the urad dal and fenugreek. Grind them in a blender or wet grinder using small amounts of chilled water until the batter is very smooth, thick, and fluffy.","group":"Preparation","title":"Drain the urad dal and fenugreek","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Drain the rice and grind it separately with a little water to a slightly coarse consistency (like fine rava or semolina).","group":"Preparation","title":"Drain the rice and grind it separately","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Mix the rice batter and dal batter together in a large bowl. Add salt and mix well using your hand (the natural bacteria on hands helps fermentation). The consistency should be thick enough to coat a spoon.","group":"Fermentation","title":"Mix the rice batter and dal batter together","timerMinutes":720,"sourceTitle":"Fermentation"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Cover the bowl and let it ferment in a warm, dark place for 8 to 12 hours until the batter rises and becomes aerated and slightly sour smelling.","group":"Fermentation","title":"Cover the bowl and let it ferment","timerMinutes":720,"sourceTitle":"Fermentation"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Grease the idli mold plates with a little oil. Gently stir the fermented batter (do not over-mix or you will lose the air). Pour the batter into the molds.","group":"Steaming","title":"Grease the idli mold plates","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Steaming"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Steam the idlis in an idli steamer or pressure cooker (without the weight) for 10 to 12 minutes on medium-high heat. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes before de-molding with a wet spoon.","group":"Steaming","title":"Steam the idlis in an idli steamer or pressure cooker","timerMinutes":12,"sourceTitle":"Steaming"}],"notes":"Ensure the batter is fermented in a warm place; in colder climates, an oven with the light on works well. Do not over-grind the rice; it should have a slightly grainy texture like semolina.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["steam"],"equipment":["Idli steamer","Idli molds","Wet grinder or high-speed blender","Large mixing bowl"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","low_fat"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":16,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes approximately 16-20 idlis"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The batter can be made ahead and fermented. Once fermented, store in the fridge."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover idlis in an airtight container in the fridge.","reheatingNotes":"Steam for 2-3 minutes or microwave covered with a damp paper towel to maintain softness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_62d9b811c5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a8998da4-247c-48a0-8942-d680d422765d","imageAlt":"Soft and Fluffy Idli — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["idli","south indian","steamed","healthy","gluten-free","vegan","fermented"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Soft and Fluffy Idli","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T18:13:48.743Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T18:13:48.743Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_fb27e32ec2","slug":"curd-rice-thayir-sadam","title":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam)","description":"A comforting, creamy South Indian staple made with soft-cooked rice mixed with cool yogurt and tempered with aromatic spices, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fb27e32ec2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f4b6828b-7878-41e2-be3a-0eb61ce6a548","imageAlt":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["rice","yogurt","south indian","curd rice","thayir sadam","comfort food","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":13,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_4f66a15443","slug":"lemon-rice-elumichai-sadam","title":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam)","description":"A vibrant, tangy, and aromatic South Indian classic made with fluffy precooked rice, fresh lemon juice, and a crunchy tempering of lentils, peanuts, and spices.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4f66a15443%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=35e72f0f-1a06-4145-8088-dfcf951a6bfb","imageAlt":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["lemon rice","south indian","tangy","quick lunch","vegan indian","yellow rice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_c3ae6a52c8","slug":"moong-dal-khichdi","title":"Moong Dal Khichdi","description":"A comforting, wholesome Indian one-pot meal made with rice and yellow moong lentils, tempered with ghee and mild spices. This version is perfect for a nutritious breakfast.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c3ae6a52c8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5460ce62-691a-4f9d-b89e-0431c5210df6","imageAlt":"Moong Dal Khichdi — recipe cover","tags":["comfort food","healthy","one pot","moong dal","rice","indian breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}