Reasons Why Should One Try Idli at Least Once in Their Lifetime

India is a continent of cultures and diversity. The diversity of the Indian culture is visible in its dance forms, music, art, people, religion, and food. These cultures have various special dishes that have made the Indian cuisine loved and acknowledged all around the globe. 

In the Indian cuisine, there are various combinations and flavours that are added to the dishes. The distinctive aroma, taste, and texture of each of these dishes come from the spices used in making them. One can enjoy authentic cooked Indian food at Dosa and More, an Indian restaurant in Berlin.

There are hundreds of options for one to choose from when it comes to having an Indian meal. The spices enhance the flavour of the dish and make one dominant over the others. Indian meals can be sweet, spicy, sour, or salty. There are various health benefits of Indian dishes too.

Idli is a traditional South Indian delicacy, made with rice powder. It is a fluffy, savoury rice cake, which is delicious and light, steamed to perfection. The batter for idli is made using fermented black lentils and rice powdered together. Idlis are a perfect meal to start your day. The lightness and filling nature of Idli make them apt to have at any time of the day.

Idli was introduced in India during 800-1200 CE. Since the beginning of time, the process of making idli has been the same. The fermentation process, rice, and idli as the ingredients and the steaming of the batter to attain ultimate perfection and fluffiness. World Idli day is celebrated on the 30th of March.

Idli is a wholesome dish that is very easy to digest. In South India Idli is mostly consumed with a warm bowl of Sambar and a side of coconut chutney. Dosa and More is a South Indian restaurant that serves delicious and original Indian food in Berlin. From fluffy Idli to crispy Dosas, everything is available at reasonable rates only at Dosa and More.

Here are some kinds of idli that one can enjoy: 

1.     Stuffed Idlis: Simple idlis made with some other dish like poha, mashed potato, boiled vegetables, etc. This adds more nutritional value to the meal. 

2.     Rava Idli: Made with just sooji, Indian spices, and rice, rava idli is healthy and mouth-watering. Rava idlis are easier and quicker to make for surprise guests and sudden urges. 

3.     Spinach Idli: We all know how healthy and important it is to intake greens. Replacing rice with Spinach and moong dal makes idli healthier. 

4.     Bread Idli: For those who wish to skip the fermentation period, instant bread idlis are the best option. Instant Bread Idlis can be made by just combining bread crumbs, idli rava, curds, salt, and ½ cup of water. 

5.     Kovil Idli: A traditional meal of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kovil Idli has the same preparation and cooking process as the regular idli. One extra step in making Kovil idli is that after fermentation, add turmeric powder and dried garlic powder to the batter. 

6.     Spicy Tava Idli: North Indians have found a way to make the basic South Indian idli a spicy, tangy snack. Tava Idli is leftover plain idli pan-fried in butter and Indian spices like chili, masalas, etc to make it zingy. The deliciousness and taste of spicy pan-fried idli is a perfect evening tea time snack. 

Some of the many health benefits of Idli are:

1.     One idli contains only 39 calories so a super healthy and perfect addition to the diet plan. 

2.     Idli has no cholesterol and no saturated fat

3.     Idlis are rich in protein, fiber, and carbohydrates 

4.     They are light and easily digestible 

5.     Helps create a structured diet plan

6.     Steamed to perfection

Recipe to create the perfect idlis: 

Preparation time: 9 hours

Cook time: 25 minutes 

Total time: 9 hours 25 minutes

Servings: 30

Ingredients:

• 2 cups idli rice
• ½ cup urad lentils or urad dal
• ¼ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 2 cups water for soaking rice 
• 1 cup water for soaking urad dal
• 1 teaspoon rock salt
• Oil to apply on idli molds

Instructions:

• Wash and soak idli rice in water
• In a separate bowl wash and soak urad dal and methi seed
• Remove water and grind urad dal, methi, with ½ cup water 
• Remove urad dal batter in a bowl and keep aside 
• Grind rice in baches to make a smooth batter 
• Mix both batters in a big bowl and add salt
• Cover with lid and let the batter rest and ferment overnight 
• Post fermentation the size of the idli will double 
• Grease mold of idli
• Pour batter in mold, steam idli in pressure cooker or steamer
• Steam idlis for 12 to 15 minutes 
• Serve steaming hot idli with coconut chutney and sambar. 

 

Idli is an all in one meal for any time of the day. Search for Indian food near me when in Berlin and be directed to Dosa and More, a pure vegetarian Indian restaurant with reasonably priced dishes.