Idalage!

When you think of food and South India , I am sure you cannot escape thinking of the soft , fluffly , white melt in the mouth idlies....Even though it is the crispy dosas which are more in demand in my house , my vote would always go to the steaming hot idlis...I have always wondered who would have discovered the equations behind these wonderful dishes... They seem to be with us ,, passed on from generation to generation from our mothers and grand mothers ....and have today become the part of tradition.

I read an article that caught my attention a few weeks back that spoke about the history of Idli.I was amused and amazed.. According to reasearcher and scholar, historian K.T. Achaya Idli has its origin in Indonesia ...We never used to make this fermented batter earlier before , it was introduced from our neighbouring cuisine.. Indonesia ...Thus food like all art links us to our own roots ...when India and Indonesia was not divided as two separate land masses and when the whole of Eurasia was addressed as Jambudveepa our cultures, food habits,art and architecture have co existed and survived and also influenced our traditions. To read more on K.T. Achaya and his research click here.


Idli has always been a comfort food for me . It is the easiest to pack and carry with us during train journeys .. filling and healthy for both kids and adults and once you have the batter ready in the fridge hot steaming idlis are ready in no time ...



Depending on the availabiliy of the wet grinder or ordinary blender/ mixer the ratio of the rice and urad dal varies . As I do not have a wet grider the ratio I use is 3:1 One Urad dal for every three cups of rice. I also add 2 tbsps of fenugreek seeds for an added smell. Soak this mixture for 4-6 hours and grind to a smooth smooth paste. If you grind the urad dal and rice separately you will get better fluffiness for the idlis . Keep for fermenting overnight. Add salt to taste . steam idlis by pouring the batter into idli moulds . Steam for 10 minutes and your idlis are ready to eat. I make healthy variations by garnishing the batter with grated vegetables before steaming .

I submit these indo- indonesian beauties to the legume love affair hosted by The well seasoned cook.

Legume loveaffair!

Just 10 more days to go.....she thought. Her house was buzzing with activity....uncles aunts , cousins.....zooming in and out of the house...there was laughter , gossip, unending chatter resonating from all corners of the house.It was a celebration!

She too immersed herself in the aura of joy and love that filled her house....The thought of leaving her house in the next 10 days made her throat ache. And she knew everything would be different....a new house , a new family , a new way of life .....and a new friend for life. She was mentally preparing to embrace this newness, still yearning to hold on to each moment.

" The pandit is here! are you ready ? " some one shouted from the veranda.
She went in the pooja room , a place she felt calm and composed . She closed her eyes in front of the lighted lamps, and unable to find words of prayer...she just remained as she was feeling not excessive joy nor sorrow .. but hope and love!

Pandit came into the pooja room and asked her to bring the nava dhanya or nine pulses. He filled the nine small clay pots with soil , watered it and asked her the scatter the pulses in each of the pots.
Then he recited a few Sanskrit slokas .
" panditji, what is the significance of all these rituals? could you please explain to me? " she en quired.

" I am glad that you asked. You will have to take care of these nine pots for the next nine days. water it when needed ...and see it germinate and grow. This same ritual is also performed in the bride groom's house. The healthy growth of these legumes will predict the depth and beauty of your marriage. Do not let it get soggy nor let it wither... its up to you! " Panditji answered with a teasing smile.

And for the next nine days she visited the pooja room every hour monitoring the minute changes....even though it was just a ritual , she believed it had a lot to teach her....the same care , love and hope that let her legumes to germinate would sprout a healthy and beautiful relationship.And each day as she sat looking at those tiny pods spring to life, activating dormant enzymes it was teaching her life lessons. Thus began her legume love affair....my love affair!

Whenever I soak green gram over night to make sprouts ... it does take me back to my daily vigil in my pooja room.
Moong sprouts are my favorite , it is a no hassle food.. no cutting , peeling shredding.. just soak it overnight. drain the water and let it sprout!
So here goes my entry for the legume love affair hosted by Susan of the well seasoned cook...

What you need:

1 cup of moong(green gram)
1/4 cup of fenugreek seeds
1/4 cup of grated coconut
1tsp chilli powder
1tsp turmeric powder
1tsp cumin seeds
1tsp musturd seeds
sprigs of curry leaves
2-3 shallots(optional)
asafoetida
1tsp oil
1tsp lemon juice
salt to taste


Method:

Wash and soak moong and fenugreek seeds overnight. Let it drain and tie it in a wet muslin cloth or drain it in a colander. If in a colander just sprinkle water once in a while. Let it sprout.
Heat oil in a pan. splutter mustard seeds , add in curry leaves. sprinkle some asafoetida, add in the sprouts. Add some water. only enough to cook the sprouts. meanwhile blend the grated coconut, chilly powder, turmeric powder , some curry leaves,jeera or cumin seeds and chopped shallots.mix well either with hand or coarsely grind it.Once the sprouts are cooked , which would take 5-6 minutes, add in the coconut mix.add salt and mix well. squeeze in the lemon juice just before serving!


This goes well with rice or any bread or even just as a snack!
remember , this is packed with lot of health!To read on the health benefits of sprouts click here.

Thank you Susan for triggering the memories of my legume love affair! I think this post will also be right for the valentine's day theme hosted by Pooja of creative idea... though it is not a pink dish... lets go green !