My Idli Journey and Tips

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Idli – A Journey of Trials, Errors, and Eventually, Triumph 🍽️

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1 My Idli-Making Tips 📝

2 What’s on My Breakfast Plate Today?

3 Also in the blog now:

4 Like this:

5 Related

6 Related Posts

If you’ve just started following me, here’s a little fun fact — I never made idli at home until my mum insisted that my kid must start eating them! Until then, our mornings were all about poori, toast, oatmeal, pongal… but never idli. Honestly, I didn’t even feel the need to make it myself. I just relied on my mum, who would generously pack a box of homemade batter whenever she made some. Easy, right?

But life changed — as it does when kids enter the picture. My mum said, “It’s time. The little one needs to start eating idli.” And so began my idli journey — not as graceful or immediate as you might think. In fact, it was more of a try, fail, repeat story for a few years. But eventually, I figured it out. Here’s how I make idlis now — consistently soft, fluffy, and family-approved!

My Idli-Making Tips 📝

➡️ Soaking Together Works:
I wash and soak everything together — the rice, lentils, and even the fenugreek seeds. I know some swear by soaking them separately, but for me, this all-in-one approach always works.

➡️ Quick Soak is Enough:
No long overnight soaking here. I usually soak the ingredients for just 1 hour. That’s all the time I’ve got most days, and surprisingly, it’s enough!

➡️ My Proportions:
I always use:

4 cups of idli rice
¾ cup urad dal
1 tsp each of toor dal, moong dal, chana dal, and fenugreek seeds

➡️ Grind it Right:
I grind the batter in a wet grinder, not in a mixer. That’s the secret to the perfect texture. I grind it for 17 to 20 minutes, adding salt during the last few minutes.

➡️ Fermentation Time:
Once ground, I transfer the batter into a large container and let it ferment for 6–8 hours, depending on the weather.

➡️ Post-Fermentation Care:
Once it’s nicely fermented, I knock out the air with a ladle and store it in the fridge until it’s idli time.

And that’s it. These steps have never failed me. Every time I open that steamer and see those soft little pillows — it still makes me a little proud.