* To make idly batter :

* Soak the idly rice and the urad dal+methi seeds separately for 2 hrs.

* Grind the dal first in grinder to a nice foamy batter with water as needed. Remove it in a big container. Add 2 tsp salt to it.

* Then grind the soaked rice with water as needed to a fine batter.

* Now mix both the grind urad dal and rice together.

* The batter should be like a pancake batter consistency, If the batter is watery then when you do idlis they won't come properly.

* Mix the batter nicely and leave it to ferment and puff, overnight so that the batter will be ready for doing idlies the next day.

* After the batter is fermented and raised mix it again and keep it in fridge.

* Take it out an hour before doing idly. Keep the idly vessel or pressure cooker with 2 cups water in it and heat.

* Grease the idly tray with a drop of oil and rub it and pour a certain amount of the batter in them and keep it in the cooker and steam cook it without whistle for 10-12 mins.

* Open the lid after steam is gone, let it warm a bit and remove the idly carefully.

* Serve hot with onion chutney, sambaar or any type of chutney.
Storage tips:
* The idly batter can be kept in fridge and used for about 10 days.
* The same batter can be used to make dosai's too.