idly

To make idli, four parts uncooked rice (idli rice or parboiled rice) to one part whole white lentil (black gram, Vigna mungo) are soaked separately for at least four to six hours or overnight. Optionally, spices such as fenugreek seeds can be added at the time of soaking for additional flavour. Once soaked, the lentils are ground to a fine paste, the rice is separately coarsely ground, and they are combined. Next, the mixture is left to ferment overnight during which its volume will more than double. After fermentation, some of the batter may be kept as a starter culture for the next batch. The finished idli batter is put into a perforated greased idli tray for steaming. The perforated molds allow the idlis to be cooked evenly. The tree holds the trays above the level of boiling water in a pot, and the pot is covered until the idlis are done (about 10–25 minutes, depending on size). A more traditional method is to use leaves instead of moulds.^[16]