Chennai Idli

Written By: Evergreendishesdev
Published on: September 8, 2014

Idli are an all time favourite for many of us. I love making this one, as they are soft and supple. There may be a variation in other recipe as this is modified by me.They make an ideal breakfast with sambar and chutney. Why is this named as “Chennai Idli” ? Chennai is a place in South India,it is the capital city of the state of Tamilnadu. It is here, they were first madeย  andย  was very famous for these soft and supple idlis. Hence the name as “Chennai Idli”

Ingredients :

soft idlis

ideal breakfast

Procedure :

  • Soak the rice in hot water for 4 hours.
  • Soak urad dal seperately ย in cold water for two hours.
  • Grind both of them seperately with adequate quantity of water. Later ,mix both together.
  • Now, rinse the semolina in water for sometime. Mix into the ground batter.
  • Keep in a warm place to ferment for 8 hours.
  • Add salt, mix andย  and make idlis the usual way, in a steamer.
  • Serve with coconut chutney and sambar and a dollop of butter if you wish !

Just a note :

Idli rice is a different kind of rice, which is used in making idlis and dosas. It is partially brown and ย smaller in size. Here, in south india, it is called as salem rice.

My other idli recipes on the blog:
chennai idli
Evergreendishesdev

Chennai Idli

Soft and supple idli make ideal breakfast, chennai idlis are that kind. 
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Breakfast, healthy, lunch box
Cuisine: Indian, South Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup urad dal
  • 2 cup idli rice
  • 1 cup semolina (idli)
  • salt
  • water

Method
 

  1. Clean and wash the rice. Boil water in a pan. Put the rice in it and soak it for four hours.
  2. Soak urad dal in regular water for two hours.
  3. Grind both of them separately to a smooth batter. Later, mix them in a wide bowl.
  4. Wash the semolina and soak it for ten minutes, mix it in the batter and keep it in a warm place to ferment, preferably overnight.
  5. Add salt to the batter and mix it well.
  6. Take the idli stand, put the batter in each of the cavity, steam it for fifteen to twenty minutes.
  7. Once, it is done, let cool, then remove and serve with coconut chutney and sambar. 

Notes

  • Batter is to be kept in a warm place.
  • Keep a wide plate below the container, lest it may not overflow on fermenting.
  • Fermenting time differs according to the season and the region where you are.ย 

Make sure to get your copy of ” Book of Handyhints” which contains many useful tips for you. Subscribe to the mailing list and get it now.

Chutney recipe can be found here

Note: This post contains affilate links

Sharing is Caring

[social_share style=”bar” align=”horizontal” heading_align=”inline” facebook=”1″ twitter=”1″ google_plus=”1″ linkedin=”1″ pinterest=”1″ /]

Subscribe to this blog to get a free book of handy hints.

****UPDATED****

Do get the mobile app if you have not got it yet. Follow evergreendishes on other social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter

Check out my e-books on Amazon

 

 

 

45 Comments

  1. dishofdailylife

    I love trying foods from other cultures. Indian food is one of my favorites! This sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays!

    • Jayashree

      Thankyou and nice to be connected here!!!

  2. Mums Take Five

    interesting i will have to write the rice down and see if i can find it, i am curious to try these. Thank you for sharing with us at Sunday Brunch

    • Jayashree

      Thankyou. We often prepare it here. You can also make using semolina instead of the rice. The recipe is on the site

  3. Anu Nagaraja

    adding semolina is a new thing for me Jayashree. can I use sona masoori rice or ponni rice for this? thank you.

    • Jayashree

      Hye Anu,
      I tried this version and it came out good, hence been doing it. Ponni rice, the brown coloured one

  4. marudhuskitchen

    Sss..soft idliss adding rava..is new and should try soon

    • Jayashree

      Thanks a bunch Vani

  5. Meri Rasoi

    Delicious dish.. I have the same question as anu, can i use Ponni rice or sona masoori rice??

    • Jayashree

      Thanks Subha…Ponni rice and salem rice are same I think. This is brown in colour

  6. Annapurnaz

    Feeling hungry now…I make idli with rice or semolina (rice) and urad dal only. Will try next time with all the three to see the difference ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Jayashree

      Do give a try Ritu. Thanks for the visit.

  7. Shobha Keshwani

    Idli is my most favourite breakfast item. I can never get tired of eating them.

    • Jayashree

      It is common in South India, thanks for the visit Shobha.

  8. Priya Suresh

    Steamed rice cake aka idlis are our staple breakfast, would love to finish that plate rite now. You nailed them prefectly.

    • Jayashree

      Thankyou Priya.

  9. spiceaffairs2016

    The Chennai Idlis are so fluffy and tempting, will try your version of the recipe soon.

    • Jayashree

      Thankyou Soma, do give a try.

  10. Jolly

    I love idli can eat it anytime..love to eat with sambar or any South Indian style chutney ๐Ÿ˜‹

    • Jayashree

      Tastes good with both chutney and sambar.