Ramasseri is a traditional village in Palakkad, Kerala famous
for its soft and spongy idilis, the rice cakes. Unlike the usual idilis they
are different and unique in its shape and taste. Ramasseri Idlis are flat and round in shape like small dosas. Another specialty
is that they can be preserved for days without getting spoilt. The secrets of
the making of this food item are not unveiled yet by the traditional Mudaliar families
who prepare it for long years.
Preparation of Ramasseri Idly
The whole process of preparation of an idly include -
making a batter with rice and black gram(urad dal), keeping it for long hours,
usually a whole night, and finally pouring it in the idly mould to steam.
The Batter
The soaked rice and black gram is grind separately after
washing and removing the skin of the gram and they are mixed together. A pinch
of fenugreek and salt is added to this. This batter is kept aside for
fermentation. After 10 to 12 hours, they are steamed in clay pots to make delicious
idilis.
The Baking
A wet cotton cloth is placed tightly covering the
mouth of the specially designed clay pot for making Ramasseri idilis. The
batter is poured into this cloth and steamed for 2 to 3 minutes. Since the
idilis are baked in steam they are soft and fluffy.
Serving
Ramasseri Idly is served with coconut and tomato
chutney and podi in fresh banana leaf. The podi, a fine spicy powder, is made from mixing dal and
pepper powder. Three to four idilis are cooked at a time in mud pots arranged
in tires.
The idly shops in Ramasseri are busy in every mornings
and evenings. The customers, even from other villages and states wait before
the shops for this idly.
Where to get Ramasseri Idly
Two of the tea shops in this village famous for Ramasseri Idly are Sankar Vilas Tea Stall run by Jeevanandan and Saraswathy Tea Stall (09744946160) by Bhagyalaxmi Ammal.
How to Reach Ramasseri
In Palakkad- Coimbatore highway, take a deviation at
Puthussery to reach Ramassery.
No comments:
Post a Comment