How to cook idli in cooker

What is Idli?

Idli is a staple food in South Indian cuisine and is popular all over the world. Idli is a steamed rice cake that is soft, fluffy, and light. It is usually served with chutney or sambar and is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack. The process of making idli involves soaking rice and lentils, grinding them into a batter, and then steaming the batter in small cylindrical containers. Idli can be cooked in a steamer or a pressure cooker. When cooked in a pressure cooker, it is called cooker idli. Cooker idli is a popular variation of idli that is made in a pressure cooker instead of a steamer.

Best Ingredients for Making Idli Batter

The best ingredients for making idli batter are parboiled rice and whole urad dal (black gram). Some people also use poha (flattened rice) and fenugreek seeds in the batter. The rice and dal should be soaked in water for a few hours before grinding. The soaked rice and dal are then ground into a smooth batter. The batter should be fermented overnight before making idlis. The fermentation process helps the batter to rise and become fluffy.

Steps for Making Idli Batter

Step 1: Soak the rice and dal in water for a few hours.

Step 2: Drain the water and grind the rice and dal into a smooth batter.

Step 3: Add salt to the batter and mix well.

Step 4: Ferment the batter overnight. 

Step 5: Pour the batter into idli moulds and steam for 10-15 minutes.

## Tips for Making Soft and Fluffy Idlis 

 To make soft and fluffy idlis, it is important to use the right ratio of rice to dal. The rice and dal should be soaked for a sufficient amount of time and ground into a fine batter. The batter should be fermented for a good amount of time before making idlis. The idlis should be cooked on a medium flame and not overcooked. Steaming idlis in a pressure cooker is a great way to make soft and fluffy idlis.

Tips for Making Soft and Fluffy Idlis

To make soft and fluffy idlis, it is important to use the right ratio of rice to dal. The rice and dal should be soaked for a sufficient amount of time and ground into a fine batter. The batter should be fermented for a good amount of time before making idlis. The idlis should be cooked on a medium flame and not overcooked. Steaming idlis in a pressure cooker is a great way to make soft and fluffy idlis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is idli? 

 A1: Idli is a type of steamed rice cake that is popular in South Indian cuisine.

 Q2: What are the benefits of cooking idli in a cooker?

A2: Cooking idli in a cooker is quick and easy. It also helps in retaining the nutrients of the idli.

 Q3: How long does it take to cook idli in a cooker?

 A3: It takes around 10-15 minutes to cook idli in a cooker.

 Q4: What are the ingredients required to make idli?

 A4: The ingredients required to make idli are rice, urad dal, salt, and water.

 Q5: How to make idli batter? 

A5: To make idli batter, soak the rice and urad dal in water for a few hours. Grind the soaked rice and urad dal to a smooth paste. Add salt to the batter and mix well. Ferment the batter overnight and your idli batter is ready.

Conclusion

Cooking idli in a cooker is a simple and quick process. With the right ingredients and steps, you can make soft and fluffy idlis in no time. Remember to soak the rice and dal for a few hours, grind the batter to a smooth paste, ferment the batter overnight, and steam the idlis for 10-15 minutes. You can enjoy your homemade idlis with chutney or sambar. Happy cooking!