Hittu / Soft Idli Steamed in Banana Leaf Basket.

 

In Kochi GSB Konkani community during festivals like Parab / Samsar Padvo /Avani Avittam idli is steamed in specially made green jackfruit leaves basket called khotto / hittu in konkani for breakfast. Hittu is served with coconut chutney or pickle or sambar. If jackfruit leaves are not available we can steam the idli batter in freshly made green banana leaf basket.

The following ingredients are needed to prepare Hittu / Soft Idli Steamed In Banana Leaves Basket.

Ingredients:
Urad dal.                    -1 cup
Idli Rava / Rice Rava.-2 cup (store bought)
Salt.                            -to taste
Water.                         -as required.
Green banana leaves - for making basket

Instructions:
1). Wash and soak urad dal for 3 to 4 hours. Drain soaked water and grind the soaked urad dal to a smooth and fluffy batter.When grinding urad dal batter add very little water if needed. Transfer the ground urad batter to a large vessel.

2). In a bowl soak idli rava / rice rava in enough water for 5 minutes. Drain the soaked water and squeeze the idli rava to remove the excess water. Add the squeezed idli rava / rice rava into the ground urad batter in the large vessel and mix well without lumps using your hand. Make the batter to a idli batter consistency and keep aside to ferment the batter for 8 hours or overnight.

Method:
1). To make banana leaf baskets, take a rectangular shape banana leaf piece. Gently roll the banana leaf into cylindrical shape. Join the sides of the cylindrical shape leaf using a small piece of broom stick or tooth pick. Then fold the bottom part of the cylindrical shape leaf to one side and join it with the side of the leaf using a tooth pick. Banana leaf basket is ready. Repeat the process and make banana leaf baskets and keep aside.

2). Add required salt into the fermented idli batter and mix it well with a ladle.

3). Pour the fermented idli batter in banana leaf basket. Fill the batter only 3/4 of the banana leaf basket as the idli batter will rise up when it steamed.

4). Boil sufficient water in a idli steamer. Place the banana leaf baskets filled with idli batter on the steamer plate. Close the steamer with lid and steam cook the idlis for 15 to 20 minutes.Once done switch off the flame.

5). Open the steamer and remove the banana leaf baskets with steamed idlis from steamer and allow to cool.

6). Once cooled remove the tooth picks from banana leaf baskets. Peel the leaves of the baskets and take out the steamed idlis from it.

Soft Idlis Steamed in Banana Leaves Basket are ready to serve with coconut chutney or hot sambar or spicy pickle for breakfast.