Steamed Rice Cake (Idlis)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups parboiled rice, uncooked
• 1 cup black lentils, whole & skinned (Urad dal)
• ¼ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt

Preparations:

1. Wash and soak the black lentils and rice separately in water overnight or at least 8 hrs.
2. Grind the rice in a food processor into a semi fine batter (a little coarse) using water as needed.
3. Grind the lentils into a paste and mix both the pastes.
4. Add salt to the batter, mix well.
5. Pour batter in a large container/pot to allow the batter to rise.
6. Let the batter ferment, preferably overnight, in a warm place (avoid the inside of the oven).

1. Fill your steamer pot with water. Make sure the steamer stand is above the water level.
2. Allow the water to boil.
3. In the meantime, grease the inside of 4-6 ramekins with a drop of oil in each.
4. Add the baking soda. Gently stir the batter evenly.
5. Using ladle, pour the batter into ramekins covering only 2/3rd of the ramekins. Place all the ramekins on a plate.
6. When the water begins to boil, place the plate on the steam stand inside the steamer pot.
7. Steam for 15 minutes.
8. To test, prick a toothpick and it should come out clean. If not, cook for another 4-5 mins.
9. Let it cool for 5 min and then using a spoon scoop out the Idlis.
10. Enjoy it with Sambar (mixed vegetables lentil soup) or Cilantro mint chutney.