idli
Sambar's spongy companion
Idli are soft, savory South Indian cakes made from fermented rice and lentil batter, steamed in round molds.
They're a staple breakfast food, typically served with sambar (a lentil-vegetable stew) and coconut chutney.
The fermentation gives them a slightly tangy flavor and spongy texture: We ordered idli and dosa at the Indian restaurant.
Fermented flatbread, subcontinental
Fermented flatbread, subcontinental
- sambarSouth Indian vegetable broth
- chutneySpiced fruit-based condiment
- pohaFlattened dried rice
- parathaPan-fried unleavened flatbread
tiffin · healthy · quick · everyday · traditional
Vapor-powered vessel
- vaporGaseous form of liquid
- moldsHollow shaping containers
- fluffySoft and light-textured
- softYielding to touch
porous · spongy · airy · light · pillowy · cookware · muslin · plates
Staple cereal grain
- fenugreekAromatic legume seed spice
- saltSodium chloride compound
- batterUncooked cake mixture
- lentilsSmall edible legume seeds
water · proportion · consistency · grinding · soaking
Uncooked cake mixture
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- sourdoughWild-yeast bread starter
- lactobacillusAcid-producing beneficial bacterium
- probioticsLive microorganisms aiding digestion
leavened · cultures · overnight · grinding · soaking · tangy · aroma · natural
dosa
Fermented flatbread, subcontinental
dosa
Fermented flatbread, subcontinental
steamer
Vapor-powered vessel
soft · porous · spongy · airy · light · pillowy · cookware · muslin · plates · stackable
rice
Staple cereal grain
lentils · water · proportion · consistency · grinding · soaking
batter
Uncooked cake mixture
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- sourdoughWild-yeast bread starter
- lactobacillusAcid-producing beneficial bacterium
probiotics · leavened · cultures · overnight · grinding · soaking · tangy · aroma · natural · rise
- sit idly byFail to intervene
- idle chatterTrivial, aimless conversation
- idle threatsInsincere warnings lacking intent
- idle talkAimless conversation
- sitting idly byChoosing not to intervene
- idle handsUnoccupied extremities seeking mischief