Soft Fluffy Idli (Super Make- Ahead Freezer Meal)

**Morning/ Lunchbox treat- Gluten free Rice Cake**

* Ingredients:

• Uzhunnu (Urad Dal) - 1/2 cup
• Pachari (Raw rice/ Idli Rice) - 1 cup
• Salt- To taste (or 2 tsps.)
• Fenugreek (Uluva) seeds- 1 tsp.
• Water

* Optional goodies (Protein power and Nutrition):

• Flax seed (powdered)- 1 tbsp.
• Grated carrots- (To top on idlis during steaming)

* Recipe:

- Soak the rice, urad dal, fenugreek seeds for about 2-4 hours (if soaking for lesser time, use warmer water, it will ensure lesser soaking time)
- Grind the soaked rice, urad dal and fenugreek seeds till a smooth pouring consistency. (Batter must not be too thin as it will not rise well. So add water gradually and make sure it is not too grainy after grinding)
- Store the batter in a warm spot overnight or for about 12 hours till it rises well.
- When the batter has risen well, add salt. (Do not add salt before the batter is well risen, since that will stop the fermentation process)
-  To the batter, mix milled or powdered flax seeds and top with grated carrots (Optional step)
- Grease an idli steamer and pour the idli batter into each mould (do not over fill, since it may spill over or not cook completely inside). Cook till a toothpick comes out clean after piercing. Usually 10 minutes in steamer,

                                          **  ENJOY YOUR YUMMY CREATION  ** 

* Serves: 4 people (12 Idlis approx.)

* Note:

-   I usually keep it in my oven, turned off, but with the oven light on.
-   Another trick during summer is to keep it in your warmest area of the house like the inside of a garage, or in a safe place near the stove wrapped in a towel. Batter will rise in about 3-4 hours. ☺
- Cool completely and store cooked idlis in plastic ziploc bag or tupper-ware as a freezer meal for a busy morning. Just sprinkle some water and warm in microwave or just steam for 2 minutes. You totally nailed it!! Piping hot idlis in a matter of minutes and no one's the wiser!! ☺👍
- This batter also freezes extremely well. Stores upto 12 months. Just thaw overnight or in a bowl of warm water and use.
- Served best with chutney or sambhar (I'll be adding several varities of chutnies soon. Keep an eye out for those!)

* Abbreviations:

 * tsp.- Teaspoon    ** tbsp.- Tablespoon     opt.- Optional

URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idli