Rice Flakes Idli (Aval Idli)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw rice
• 1/2 cup rice flakes (aval)
• 1/2 cup yogurt, sour
• 5 green chillies
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1 tbsp bengal gram dhal
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 tsp whole pepper
• 1/4" ginger, finely chopped
• asafoetida, pinch
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

• Soak rice for 2 - 3 hours. Soak rice flakes separately in curd for about 1 1/2 hours.
• Blend them together with grated coconut and chillies coarsely.
• Add salt and blend again.
• Add pepper, cumin seeds and bengal gram dhal on top of the batter and allow to ferment overnight.
• Add ginger, asafoetida and baking soda and mix batter well.
• Pour into idli plates over cashews, if desired, and steam for 10 minutes or until cooked.
• Serve hot with any spicy chutney.