What is Idli Idli is a soft, pillowy steamed savory cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. The lentils used in making the idli batter are urad dal (hulled black gram). Black gram is also known as matpe beans, urad beans. To make idli the off white colored husked/hulled black gram is used – it can be split or whole. x 0 of 1 minute, 49 seconds  Table of Contents What is Idli Ways to make Soft Idli How to make Idli Batter (Stepwise Photos) How to Make Idli (Stepwise Photos) Expert Tips for Idli Batter Fermentation Idli Batter vs Dosa Batter Recipe Card What is Idli Idli is a soft, pillowy steamed savory cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. The lentils used in making the idli batter are urad dal (hulled black gram). Black gram is also known as matpe beans, urad beans. To make idli the off white colored husked/hulled black gram is used – it can be split or whole. The lentils and rice are soaked first and then later ground separately. The batters are mixed together and seasoned with salt. The batter is allowed to ferment until it increases in volume. Later the batter is steamed in a special and unique cookware traditionally used for making idli. Ways to make Soft Idli Firstly there are two basic ways you can make idli with the traditional method of soaking the ingredients, grinding them to a batter and fermenting. With Idli Rice: Traditionally idli rice and urad dal are used to make the idli batter. Idli rice is parboiled rice and used specifically for making idli and dosa. This recipe post shares the method of making idli with idli rice and regular white rice. You can even make idli with short-grained rice. My mom makes one of the best idli with parmal rice. At times I also make idli with the traditional method of using only idli rice. As I have mentioned above Urad dal is also known as black gram, urad bean and black matpe bean. With husks these lentils look black due to their black husks. With the husks removed they have creamish ivory or off white color and are also called as white lentils. The urad dal that is used is the husked whole urad dal preferably unpolished. You can even use husked split urad dal. Search Home » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes Idli Recipe | Soft Idli Batter With Tips And Tricks By Dassana Amit Last Updated: March 2, 2023 Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian 4.88 from 142 votes • 543 Comments Shares19k Step by StepJump to Recipe Idli is one of the most healthiest and popular South Indian breakfast dish. These are soft, light, fluffy steamed round cakes made with a ground, fermented rice and lentil batter. Here I share my foolproof recipe with video and step-by-step photos that will help you in making the best idli. This Idli recipe is one of the earliest recipe from the blog which has been tried and tested with great results by many of our readers. x 0 seconds of 0 seconds This ad will end in 47  Table of Contents What is Idli Ways to make Soft Idli How to make Idli Batter (Stepwise Photos) How to Make Idli (Stepwise Photos) Expert Tips for Idli Batter Fermentation Idli Batter vs Dosa Batter Recipe Card What is Idli Idli is a soft, pillowy steamed savory cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. The lentils used in making the idli batter are urad dal (hulled black gram). Black gram is also known as matpe beans, urad beans. To make idli the off white colored husked/hulled black gram is used – it can be split or whole. The lentils and rice are soaked first and then later ground separately. The batters are mixed together and seasoned with salt. The batter is allowed to ferment until it increases in volume. Later the batter is steamed in a special and unique cookware traditionally used for making idli. Idli is a traditional breakfast made in every South Indian household including mine. Idli is popular not only in the whole of India but outside India too. It is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and makes for one of the healthiest breakfast options served with Sambar and Coconut Chutney. Ways to make Soft Idli Firstly there are two basic ways you can make idli with the traditional method of soaking the ingredients, grinding them to a batter and fermenting. Of course there are many variations you can do with the basic batter like adding spices, herbs, veggies etc but the basic, simple fermented batter is made with rice or idli rava and urad dal. With Idli Rice: Traditionally idli rice and urad dal are used to make the idli batter. Idli rice is parboiled rice and used specifically for making idli and dosa. This recipe post shares the method of making idli with idli rice and regular white rice. You can even make idli with short-grained rice. My mom makes one of the best idli with parmal rice. At times I also make idli with the traditional method of using only idli rice. As I have mentioned above Urad dal is also known as black gram, urad bean and black matpe bean. With husks these lentils look black