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Kanchipuram Idli Recipe – Kancheepuram Kovil Idli Recipe

Chitra

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Kanchipuram idli
Kanchipuram Idli is one of the most popular South Indian Idli recipe that is originated from Tamilnadu – Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple’s madapalli. This idli is served as temple prasadam. Its a world famous idli. Recently I tried this Iyengar style idli recipe from ” The Hindu” food safari section. 3 different recipes were given there from the temple and hotels of Kancheepuram. Every time I used to follow my cook book recipe for making Kancheepuram Idli which I have mentioned below as recipe 2. This time I tried Kanjeevaram Varadaraja perumal temple recipe ( Koil idli). It came out really well. 
We loved its taste.
The specialty of this idli lies in steaming it using “Mandharai leaves” . But I used banana leaves here. I steamed the idli in a big tumbler lined with banana leaf. Normally the cooking time of idli takes 2 hours as they make in kudalai ( a hollow bamboo rod). So Its also known as kudalai idli and Kovil idli. But I used pressure cooker to steam idli. Also the consistency of batter should be slightly coarse and thick to get the above texture in the picture. 
Remember one thing, you should eat it hot. Otherwise idli will become slightly hard when warm. If  you grind it too smooth, it will resemble our usual idli but it comes out very soft even after it cools down. This idli tastes the best with coconut chutney and idli podi. I’ve had this with sambar too. But I feel coconut chutney is the best side dish. My husband loves this idli a lot. With the pleasant aroma of steamed banana leaves, it tastes delicious & very soft .
Try it and let me know how it tasted. Lets see how to prepare Kanchipuram idli using two different recipes.
kancheepuarm idli copy

Kanchipuram Idli Recipe

Kanchipuram Idli Recipe How to make Kanchipuram idli – 2 recipes shared here

Cuisine: Indian
Category: Breakfast
Serves:4
Prep time: 16H(with fermentation)
Cook time: 20 Min
Total time: 16H20Min

INGREDIENTS
1 cup – 250ml

Recipe 1 – Temple version

  • Raw rice / Pacharisi – 2 cups
  • Urad dal – 1 cup
  • Methi seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Ghee – 1/4 cup
  • Cumin seeds – 2 tsp
  • Pepper corns – 1.5 tsp
  • Dry ginger powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves – few
  • Asafetida/Hing – 1/2 tsp
  • Salt & water – As needed

Recipe 2 – Cookbook version

  • Par Boiled rice / idli rice – 1/2 cup
  • Raw rice – 1/2 cup
  • Urad dal – 1/2 cup
  • Pepper corns – 1/2 tsp
  • Jeera – 1/2 tsp
  • Ghee – 2 tbsp
  • Sesame / Gingely oil – 2 tbsp
  • Hing / Asafetida – 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves – a few
  • Dry ginger / Sukku – 1/2 inch piece (crushed) (optional ) (you can use powder too)
  • Salt – as required.
HOW TO MAKE KANCHIPURAM IDLI – METHOD

RECIPE – 1 (TEMPLE VERSION FROM THE HINDU)
  • Soak rice , dal and methi seeds together for 4-5 hours. Grind them to a slightly coarse paste adding salt & required water. The batter should be thick.
  • Allow it to ferment for 12 hrs or overnight. The next day morning add jeera, pepper corns, ghee, hing and curry leaves. Mix well.
    kanchi idli tile1
  • Grease a tumbler with oil and line it with banana leaf . Pour the batter, fill it. Add water till half of the pressure cooker base and keep the tumbler inside it. Close it with a lid.
    Kanchi idli tile2
  • Steam it for 30 minutes to 1 hour. check it with the back of a spoon. If it comes out clean, idli is done..
    kanchi idli tile3

    Enjoy hot idli with coconut chutney !!

    RECIPE – 2 ( from cookbook)
  • Soak the dal and rice together for 2-3 hours. Wash , drain the water and grind .
  • Please don’t add more water to grind.The batter should be thick and little coarse.
  • After grinding the batter add salt , hing and mix well. Allow the batter to ferment overnight. The next day morning add crushed pepper , jeera , dry ginger powder , curry leaves , Ghee and sesame oil to the batter and mix well.
  • If u feel the batter is too thick, add a ladleful of water to it. Do not  disturb the batter for 30 mins- 1 hour. After 1 hour , place the banana leaf on the idly plate and pour the batter.      
  •         BEFORE STEAMING
  • Steam it for 15 to 30 mins.Once its done ,prick the idly with the backside of spoon and see whether the idlI is non sticky . At this stage the idli is cooked well.      
  •         AFTER STEAMING
  • Remove and serve hot with coconut chutney !

Note
  • As per the original recipe, the batter should be ground till coarse(rava consistency). But most of the time I grind the batter smooth. U ‘ll get a really soft idli !! My family likes that way. 
kancheepuram idly 1

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Chitra

43 responses to “Kanchipuram Idli Recipe – Kancheepuram Kovil Idli Recipe”
  1. Sailaja Damodaran Avatar
    Sailaja Damodaran

    Love to eat it with coconut chutney…..Looks very tasty & soft

    Reply
  2. priya Avatar
    priya

    so soft and different!…yummy!

    Reply
  3. Shama Nagarajan Avatar
    Shama Nagarajan

    yummy idli

    Reply
  4. Chitra Avatar
    Chitra

    Thanku all for the quick sweet comments 🙂

    Reply
  5. Raks Avatar
    Raks

    Crystal clear picture! Should try all soon.thanks for posting!

    Reply
  6. Latha Avatar
    Latha

    Idlis on banana leaf…interesting.

    Reply
  7. Saraswathy Balakrishnan Avatar
    Saraswathy Balakrishnan

    A very different iddly to be steamed with banana leaves pa..will surely try them if I get hold some banana leaves here..

    Reply
  8. Ash Avatar
    Ash

    This is a nice looking idli… b'cuz I loved the different texture of it in the pic…. And done differently too…. Hot hot idlis with chutney…I can only shout "Break it fast"!!!!!

    I think this post came after a long time…. I hope all's well…..

    Happy Celebrations!!!

    Ash….
    (http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

    Reply
  9. Priya Suresh Avatar
    Priya Suresh

    Wat a delicious, soft idli, had these idlies long back…Looks too marvellous CHitra..

    Reply
  10. Sarah Naveen Avatar
    Sarah Naveen

    oh wow!!! thats a perfect and yummy idli…

    Reply
  11. Cham Avatar
    Cham

    You are right- it is better with coconut chutney- Good one!

    Reply
  12. jayasree Avatar
    jayasree

    I can almost smell the flavor steamed leaves and idli together. It must surely be heavenly.. should try it soon.

    Reply
  13. chef and her kitchen Avatar
    chef and her kitchen

    I love it for d flavors…looks gr8..never steamed them in banana leaves..will try next time..f

    Reply
  14. Jayashree Avatar
    Jayashree

    I never knew that kanjivaram idlis were steamed in banana leaves. I can almost imagine how good it would smell.

    Reply
  15. Tina Avatar
    Tina

    Cute and delicious idli.

    Reply
  16. Rekha shoban Avatar
    Rekha shoban

    Healthy and delicious idly

    Reply
  17. Myvegfare Avatar
    Myvegfare

    lovely pics, i got introduced this idly after marriage, but never knew they were made in banana leaves!!, well, if i ever get hold of them here i will try!!

    Reply
  18. gtyuk Avatar
    gtyuk

    nice idlis, it's been a year since I ate them; I love it with coconut chutney but also very much with thuvayals 🙂

    Reply
  19. Rohini Avatar
    Rohini

    Yummy idlis!! Love to have them with coconut chutney! 🙂

    Reply
  20. prasu Avatar
    prasu

    idli with coconut chutney makes them so delitable dear.ur idlies look perfect dear.

    Reply
  21. Unknown Avatar
    Unknown

    Perfect and soft idili..Yummy with chutney!!

    Reply
  22. Shri Avatar
    Shri

    Well, heard this name over and over and little did I know this is how it looks..Yummy!

    Reply
  23. Manju Avatar
    Manju

    you wont believe that ive never had this before…but ive heard soo much about it that i wanna try it now!!

    Reply
  24. Uma Avatar
    Uma

    mmm. looks sooo soft and yummy Chitra!!

    Reply
  25. Gita Jaishankar Avatar
    Gita Jaishankar

    Nice idlis…I have never tried steaming idlis in banana leaf…thanks for the great recipe 🙂

    Reply
  26. Supriya Avatar
    Supriya

    yummy!

    Reply
  27. my kitchen Avatar
    my kitchen

    Idly with flavor of banana leaf, Loves to eat with tomato thokku

    Reply
  28. lata raja Avatar
    lata raja

    very tasteful idlis Chitra. I love them with milagu kuzhambu.

    Reply
  29. radha Avatar
    radha

    Looks so delicious. Hot idlis with chutney and sambar.

    Reply
  30. Srivalli Avatar
    Srivalli

    Good one, we love Kanchipuram idlies

    Reply
  31. Mythreyi Dilip Avatar
    Mythreyi Dilip

    This is my all time favorite Chitra. I add little turmeric and chopped coconut pieces. Ur version looks yummy and good!

    Reply
  32. Padhu Sankar Avatar
    Padhu Sankar

    Looks delicious!
    http://padhuskitchen.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  33. Sunitha Avatar
    Sunitha

    The idli looks supple and delicious.. one of my favourites..

    Reply
  34. Simi Tresa Antony Avatar
    Simi Tresa Antony

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    Reply
  35. Anupama Avatar
    Anupama

    nothing can beat these idlis… flavor packed!

    Reply
  36. Sanjana Avatar
    Sanjana

    These look AMAZING! I would love them for my dinner tonight. Thanks for visiting my blog Chitra 🙂 Do come back often. I look forward to following you!

    Sanjana x

    Reply
  37. Shoba Avatar
    Shoba

    Thank you chitra I can decide this dish as my son lunch box recipe.

    Reply
  38. Shanthi Avatar
    Shanthi

    Lovely way of doing kanchipuram idly….i can feel the banana leaf smell on idly….

    Reply
  39. Remya Avatar
    Remya

    lovely recipe i was searching it….thank u..i will try n let you know the result

    Reply
  40. chitra Avatar
    chitra

    which of the above two is Varadaraja Perumal Koil recipe?

    Reply
  41. chitra Avatar
    chitra

    also, do you use the weight for the pressure cooker ?

    Reply
    1. Chitra Avatar
      Chitra

      Hi its the first re cipe.no need to use weight valve.cook in low flame like. Cake baking.make sure there is enough water.

      Reply
  42. chitra Avatar
    chitra

    thanks

    Reply

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