Brown Rice Idli (Steamed Rice Cake)

White rice is good (I dont want to put it down cos I love it !) but brown rice is that much better and healthy too. So, making a healthy breakfast, the first thing that crossed my mind was to make brown rice idli, a healthy, nutritious and delicious breakfast. The combination of urad dal(highest protein content legume) and brown rice was a good one and must say they were soft, fluffy, and tasting great! a better option of eating brown rice.

Ingredients:

1 cup brown rice

1/2 cup urad dal(split black gram)

1 tbsp yogurt (optional)

1 pinch baking soda(optional)

salt

Preparation Method:

1. Soak the brown rice and urad dal in two different container. Soak  them in water for about  4 - 5 hours. (I usually soak them in the morning, grind in the evening, so it is good to make them for breakfast for next morning.)

2. Drain the water and grind the urad dal to a smooth consistency(use very little water), remove the batter.

3. Then grind the brown rice with 3/4 cups of water to a smooth consistency.

4. Mix well the urad dal and rice batter. Add yogurt, baking soda and mix.  Keep the batter covered,place it in a warm place for about 8 hours or overnight.

5. When time to cook idli's, add salt to the batter and mix. Apply little oil to the idly plate, Pour the batter onto the idly plate and steam for 10 - 15 minutes.

6. Remove the idli's and serve with favorite sambar or chutney. We had it with matki patal bhaji ,  tasted great!

Cooking Time: 15 mins


Note: I used brown basmati rice. Traditionally the idli's are prepared with white idli rice or parboiled rice.
During winters, when keeping the batter overnight for fermenting, keep it in a steel vessel with lid closed. Leave the vessel in the oven with lights on.