Step 1

If you are new to making idli, then you can follow this Soft idli recipe.

Step 2

While the idlis steam, dry roast peanuts along with red chilies until light golden.

Step 3

Add urad dal and chana dal. Roast on a medium flame until they turn golden. Make sure peanuts, urad dal and chana dal  all are roasted well to deep golden.

Step 4

Add sesame seeds, coconut, cumin & curry leaves. Dry roast until the leaves turn crisp and sesame seeds smell good.

Step 5

Cool these and powder finely along with enough salt, tamarind (optional) and jaggery (optional) if using. Check the salt and add more if needed.

Step 6

Remove the idlis from the mould. Allow them to cool a bit.

Step 7

Pour ghee or oil to a hot pan. Add mustard seeds if using. Let them splutter.

Step 8

Add idlis and then switch off the stove.

Step 9

Sprinkle podi over the idli and toss gently. Add more or less podi & ghee as desired. Coat the idlis well with podi.

Step 10

Serve podi idli warm.