Health benefits of idli

On World Health Day 2012 we give you some healthy Indian food options. If you’ve decided to eat healthy but don’t really like eating bland or sweet oats, cornflakes and other such ‘food for weight watchers’ recommended by dieticians, fret not we fromhealth.india.com have come up with a list of Indian food items that are not only a treat to your gustatory senses but healthy as well!

First up in our list a favourite from down South, the unpretentious Idli:

Calorie count: One idli = 65 calories

Why is it a healthy option?

• A classic South Indian food made with fermented rice and black gram, Idlis are a great source of carbohydrates and proteins.
• The fermentation process increases the bioavailability of proteins and enhances the vitamin B content of the food.
• As it is steamed, fat content is low and it is easily digestible.
• Use of dal and rice in idli is a good combination as the amino acids in them complement each other.

Here’s a simple recipe for Idli, courtesy tarladalal.com:

Soaking Time: 2 to 3 hours.

Preparation Time:15 minutes

Fermenting Time: Overnight

Cooking Time:45 minutes.

Makes 30 idlis.

Ingredients

• 3 cups par-boiled rice (ukda chawal)
• 1 cup urad dal (split black lentils)
• salt to taste
• oil for greasing

 Instructions

• Wash and soak the rice and urad dal in lukewarm water for 2 to 3 hours.
• Drain, wash and grind to a smooth paste. 
• Cover and keep aside overnight to ferment. 
• Add that salt and mix well.
• Put spoonfuls of the batter into greased idli moulds and steam for 15 minutes.

Here’s the original recipe from Tarladalal