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RAVA IDLI
Serves 15-16

2 cups idli rava cream of rice

cup urad dal/spilt and skinned black gram lentils
cup poha/flattened rice
78 methi seeds/fenugreek seeds
Salt to taste
Water for soaking

Soak the cream of rice in water for 45 hours, and in another bowl
or pan, soak the urad dal, poha, and methi seeds in water for 45
hours. Drain the water from the urad dal and keep it aside. We will
use some of this water for grinding the idlis. Drain the water from
the idli rava and discard, & in a wet grinder, add the idli rava,
urad dal, methi seeds, and poha. Add some of the urad dal
strained water and begin to grind. If the batter appears too thick,
add some water, and grind to a smooth batter. Pour in a deep pan
or pot to give room for fermentation and rising of the batter, then
add salt and stir well. Cover with a lid and keep the batter in a
warm place for 78 hours. The next day the batter will have
fermented and risen. Grease or brush the idli moulds with oil, and
put a pan or steamer on the stove with some water. Stir the batter
gently, then pour the batter in the idli moulds. By now the water
will have begun boiling in the pan. Place the idli stand in the pan,
cover with a lid, and steam the idlis. If using a pressure cooker,
dont put the vent weight/whistle on the cookers lid. Steam for
1012 minutes till a toothpick inserted in the idli comes out clean.
Serve hot and steaming idlis with chutney or sambar
accompanied with some Indian chai or filter coffee..