Make 4 different South Indian dishes with one basic batter

Always in a hurry in the morning while preparing breakfast? Or do you too opt for unhealthy options because you don’t have time to prepare something healthy? Then here is an easy way out for you. Prepare this easy South Indian batter to make delicious South Indian delicacies. From Idli and Uttapam to Dosa and Paniyaram, you can make four different dishes with just one basic batter.

Ingredients required- 4 cup rice, 1 cup urad dal, 2 tsp methi seeds and salt as per need.

Method

• Take a bowl, add rice, urad dal and methi seeds. Wash them properly and soak them in water for 4-5 hours.
• After that strain the water and keep the urad dal-rice in a bowl. Now add 1/3rd mixture in a grinder along with some ice-cold water. Add water just enough to soak the rice and urad dal in the grinder.
• Now grind the mixture to form a smooth paste. Take out the batter in a bowl.
• Add the leftover mixture to the grinder along with ice-cold water and grind again. Add water as per the requirement to make a thick batter. Collect the batter in a big bowl.
• Ice cold water is used to grind the batter because the mixer usually gets heated up and the cold water keeps the temperature at room temperature.
• Now add salt as per taste and use your hand to mix everything well. Using your hand to mix makes the batter fluffy.
• Cover the bowl with a lid and let it ferment overnight or for 12-14 hours.
• The next morning, check the batter for sourness and mix it well. Add some extra salt if needed. Your batter is ready to be used to make different South Indian dishes. You can also store the batter for 3-4 days.

In order to prepare idlis, grease the idli moulds with some oil and pour the batter into them. Place the moulds in a pressure cooker with some water below. Now close the lid without the weight and let the idlis steam for 12-15 minutes or until done. Take out the idlis from the moulds and serve hot with sambhar and coconut chutney.

To prepare the uttapam, grease a non-stick tawa with oil and spread some batter on it. Top it with chopped onions, tomatoes, capsicum and carrot. Pat down the veggies a bit and cover the tawa with a lid. Let the uttapam cook from both sides until golden brown. Enjoy them hot with coconut chutney on the side.

In order to make the dosa check the consistency of the batter and add more water if required. Heat a dosa tawa or a non-stick tawa and pour some batter on it. Spread it in circles to form the shape of a dosa. Add a filling of your choice like potatoes or paneer. Enjoy the crispy dosa with coconut chutney and a steaming bowl of sambhar.

To prepare the batter for appe, add chopped onions, tomatoes, capsicum and green chillies in the batter. Mix well and adjust the salt if needed. Grease an appe pan with some ghee and pour the batter in the moulds. Put the appe pan on flame and let them cook from both sides until golden brown. Serve hot with coconut chutney.