Kancheepuram idli

Ingredients:

½ cup black dal / urad dal
½ cup rice
1 cup idli rava
2 tbsp thick beaten rice/poha
4 tbsp Yogurt
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
2-3 tbsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp crushed pepper
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 Tbsp chana dal
Salt
Water

Method:
1) Soak the dal, rice, idli rava, thick beaten rice, fenugreek seeds for 4-5 hours. Grind it into a batter by adding water. Note: Consistency should be thicker than Dosa batter. Mix with yogurt and allow it to ferment for 8-10 hours in a warm place.
2) Take a plate/bowl that fits into a steamer or pressure cooker and line it with plastic cling wrap. Note: the sides should be at least 5 cms high.
3) Heat ghee in a skillet. Add cumin seeds, ginger, pepper, chana dal. Allow it to splutter. Add this to the batter and mix. Check for salt.
4) Pour the batter into the cling wrap lined bowl to a depth of 1 cm.
5) Get 2-3 cups water boiling in a the pressure cooker. Place the bowl/plate in it. Cover and steam for 15 mins on medium heat. Note: Do not use weight if steaming with a pressure cooker.
6) Remove the pressure cooker lid, pierce a fork through the idli. If nothing sticks to the fork - consider it done. Allow it to cool for a minute. Remove the idli from the bowl along with the cling wrap. Cut it into pieces.
Done!!!!
Serve with coconut chutney.

Tip: If the batter cannot ferment well due to cold weather- add a tsp of baking soda to the batter just before making idli.

Baghrir - Moroccan pancakes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup semolina
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3 cups water
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 sachet dry yeast
1/4 tsp turmeric - optional
Olive Oil - optional

Method:
1) Warm 3-4 Tbsp of water, add yeast and wait until it is frothy (10-15 mins). Mix this with remaining ingredients. Either mix with hand to remove any lumps. or use a blender - easier this way.
3) Put the batter in a large container (The batter will raise at least 3 folds) - cover with plastic cling wrap and keep it in a warm place for an hour.
4) Remove the plastic wrap, and mix the batter with a ladle.
5) Heat a pan (medium heat), pour a ladle-ful of batter and ease it into a circle. Add 3-4 drops of olive oil on the top.
6) Flip to the other side once the underside is done (2-3 minutes). Remove within 5-10 seconds.
DONE!!!

Tip 1: Traditionally, it is served with a syrup of honey and butter.
But if you are troubled by a lack of sweet tooth like me - serve with chutney/saagu ( as it is quite similar to set dosa) ;-)
Tip 2: Pancakes usually use eggs - the flour here serves as a vegan substitute :)