Idli and Besan Masala Gravy

This is an easy gravy that tastes very well with any tiffin item. You can also use it as a side for mixed rice. You can do it either with or without potatoes. I have also included the recipe for idli's here as I typically serve it with them for morning breakfast.



Ingredients:
- 1 big onion
- 2 tomatoes
- 1/2 cup peas
- 2 potatoes boiled and chopped
- 2-3 chilies chopped
- 1 inch ginger chopped
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 3 tbs basen flour
- salt to taste

Seasoning:
- 1/2 tsp mustard sees
- 1 tsp jeera seeds
- 1 tsp oil
- few curry leaves

Method:
1. In a sauce pan pour oil and add the mustard seeds. Once it splutter add jeera, chilies ginger and curry leaves.
2. Chop onions finely and add it to the pan. Once it is soft add the chopped tomatoes and peas. Fry these till the tomatoes becomes slightly mushy. Add the boiled potatoes, turmeric, and salt.
3. Meanwhile in a separate bowl mix the basen flour in some water. Dissolve it so it has no lumps. Mix it in with boiling vegetables. Add 2 cups of water and bring it all to a boil.
4. In a few minutes it will become thick. Garnish with cilantro.

Idli

Ingredients:
- 3 cups idli rice
- 1 cup whole urad dhal (Skin removed)
- 1 tsp methi seeds
- salt taste

Method:
1. Wash and soak the rice (with methi seeds) and urad dhal for 4 hours separately. In a wet grinder grind rice first and once it is smooth remove it. Now grind the urad dhal until it becomes smooth. You will see the urad dhal rising when you grind it.
2. In a big vessel mis it all together with salt.
3. Keep it in a warm dry place and it will rise overnight. You should be able to make idli's the next day. If it has not risen (if the weather is cold it might not rise overnight)then wait till evening.

Getting the right consistency is a little bit of a process. You might have to try it a couple of times to get it right. The fermentation of the idli dough greatly depends on the weather and how humid your place is. But once you get it right idli's are probably one of the easiest, healthiest and the tastiest food on the planet.