I have always been a big fan of idli, a traditional South Indian dish made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It is a healthy, light, and delicious dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. However, making idli can be a bit time-consuming, especially when you have to prepare the batter and wait for it to ferment. But did you know that you can steam idli in the microwave using a quick and easy method? Yes, it’s true! In this article, I will share with you a step-by-step guide on how to steam idli in the microwave.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before we get started, let’s gather all the ingredients needed to make idli. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Batter:
– 2 cups of idli rice
– ½ cup of urad dal (split black gram)
– ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
– Water for soaking and grinding
– Salt to taste
For Steaming:
– Idli moulds or a microwave-safe container with a lid
– Water for steaming
– Cooking oil or ghee to grease the moulds
Soak and Grind
The first step in making idli is to soak the rice and dal. Take a large bowl and add the idli rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds. Rinse them a few times with water to remove any impurities. Then, add enough water to cover the ingredients and let them soak for at least 4 to 5 hours. This soaking process helps in making the idli batter light and fluffy.
Once the soaking time is over, drain the water from the rice and dal. Now, it’s time to grind them into a smooth batter. You can use a wet grinder or a mixer grinder for this. Add the soaked rice and dal to the grinder along with some water and grind until you achieve a smooth consistency. The batter should neither be too thick nor too watery. Add salt to taste and give the batter a final mix.
Prepare the Idli Moulds
While the idli batter is fermenting, let’s prepare the idli moulds for steaming. If you have an idli stand, grease the moulds with cooking oil or ghee. If you don’t have an idli stand, don’t worry! You can use a microwave-safe container with a lid instead. Grease the container with oil or ghee to prevent the idlis from sticking.
Microwave Steaming
Now that the idli batter is ready and the moulds are prepared, it’s time to steam the idlis in the microwave. Here’s how you can do it:
– Fill the idli moulds or the greased container with the batter. Fill only three-fourths of each mould or container, as the idlis will rise during steaming.
– Place the moulds or the container in the microwave and cover them with a microwave-safe lid or a microwave-safe plate.
– Microwave the idlis on high power for about 3 to 4 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on your microwave’s power.
– After the initial cooking time, check if the idlis are cooked by inserting a toothpick or a knife into one of them. If it comes out clean, the idlis are ready. If not, microwave them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
– Once the idlis are cooked, remove them from the microwave and let them cool for a minute or two.
– Gently remove the idlis from the moulds or the container using a spoon or a fork. They should come out easily without sticking.
Serve and Enjoy!
Now that your homemade idlis are ready, serve them hot with your favorite chutney or sambar. You can also enjoy them with a steaming cup of filter coffee for a truly authentic South Indian breakfast experience. The microwave-steamed idlis will be soft, fluffy, and absolutely delicious.
In conclusion, steaming idli in the microwave using this quick and easy method is a great alternative to the traditional stovetop method. It saves time and effort without compromising on taste and texture. So, the next time you crave idli but don’t want to go through the lengthy process, give this microwave method a try. I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.