Podi Idli

By: Admin Date: 11-Jul 2023 Reading Time: 4 Mins

Podi Idli is a delicious South Indian dish featuring idlis coated with a flavorful spice mix known as podi. The idlis are made from a fermented batter of idli rice and urad dal, providing a light and spongy texture. After steaming, the idlis are topped with a roasted spice blend of chana dal, urad dal, sesame seeds, and red chilies, adding a crunchy, savory kick. This dish is often enjoyed with a side of coconut chutney or sambar for a complete meal.

For a Serving Size of Two:

Ingredients:

For the Idli Batter:

60 grams idli rice
20 grams urad dal
1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
Water, as needed

For the Podi (Spice Mix):

2 tablespoons chana dal
2 tablespoons urad dal
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon dried red chilies
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste

Procedure:

Soak the idli rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds in water separately for at least 4-6 hours or overnight.
Drain the soaked rice and dal. Grind them together in a blender or wet grinder with a little water until you get a smooth, thick batter.
Allow the batter to ferment in a warm place for 8-12 hours or until it doubles in volume and becomes slightly bubbly.
For the podi mixture, in a dry pan, roast the chana dal, urad dal, sesame seeds, red chilies, cumin seeds, and black pepper until they turn golden brown and fragrant.
Let the roasted spices cool slightly, then grind them into a coarse powder. Add turmeric powder and salt. Mix well.
Preheat the idli steamer or rack.
Grease the idli molds lightly with oil.
Pour the fermented batter into the idli molds.
Place the molds in the steamer and steam for about 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the idlis comes out clean.
Once steamed, remove the idlis from the molds and place them on a plate.
Sprinkle the prepared podi (spice mix) over the idlis. You can also mix the podi with a little oil and serve it as a dip or side.

Nutritional Benefits:

Podi Idli offers a range of nutritional benefits that make it a wholesome choice for breakfast or a light meal. The fermentation process of the idli batter enhances the digestibility of the rice and dal, boosting the availability of beneficial probiotics that support gut health.
Idli rice and urad dal are good sources of protein and carbohydrates, providing sustained energy and aiding muscle recovery.
Sesame seeds and cumin seeds add essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, which support bone health and overall metabolic function.
Overall, Podi Idli is a nutrient-dense dish that supports digestive health, provides sustained energy, and contributes to overall wellness.

Nutritional Information: