Having leftover cooked idli in your house should not come as a surprise. This is because in some cases you just prepare it in excess with the intention of consuming it all at once, but things do not go as planned. When this happens you should not throw away your leftover cooked idli, but instead, you should store it and simply use it the next day or even after a couple of days, (that is if you store it the right way). The article below highlights some of the methods that you can use to store cooked idli, so carefully follow the methods in order to achieve the best results.
Contents
What is idli?
Idli is a dish that has its origins in India but, is now eaten in many parts of the world. It is made using rice and lentils which are ground together with water. The mixture is then left to ferment before being cooked. This dish is normally served during breakfast and it is severed together with things like chutney or sambar.
How to store cooked idli
Store cooked idli in the freezer
NB: this is the best method for storing cooked idli. This is mainly because extends the shelf life of cooked idli. So if you are someone who likes eating idli regularly then you can always make them ahead of time and store in the freezer.
Step 1
When storing leftover cooked idli in the freezer you need to start by letting them cool down. This is because if you store cooked idli in the freezer while hot, it will alter the temperature of the freezer. This will in turn affect the shelf life of other foods in your freezer.
Step 2
Once the cooked idli has cooled down, simply place it in an air tight container and store in the freezer. However, if you are storing a large number of idlis then you can always place wrap them with aluminium foil or place them inside freezer bags. Indicate the date in which you are placing them in the freezer so that you can recall when they are most likely to turn bad.
Store cooked idli in the fridge
NB: this method only preserves leftover cooked idli for about 2 to 3 days. Therefore, it is important to eat the cooked idle before the stipulated time frame in order to avoid disappointment.
Step 1
In order to store cooked idli in the fridge you need to start by ensuring that they have cooled down. This is because if you store leftover cooked idli in the fridge while hot they will cause the temperature of the fridge to change. This will then compromise the shelf life of other foods in the fridge.
Step 2
Take the cooked idli and wrap them in aluminium foil. If you do not have aluminium foil you can simply place the cooked idli in an air tight container.
Step 3
Store cooked idli in the fridge. They will last for about 2 to 3 days. Therefore, you need to eat them within that time frame to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Store cooked idli at room temperature
NB: this method is ideal for storing cooked idli which you intend to eat later during the day or the next day. This is because it only preserves cooked idli for a short time.
Step 1
When storing idlis at room temperature you need to start by ensuring that they have cooled down. This is because if you pack them while hot they might not be able to last for a longer period of time.
Step 2
When the cooked idlis have cooled down you can always coat them with til oil. The next thing is to add malgapodi powder to the cooked idli. This will help to add some flavour to the cooked idlis.
Step 3
Place the cooked idlis in an air tight container and store at room temperature. Cooked idlis that are stored at room temperature can last for a day or 2. Therefore only use this method if you are certain that you will consume cooked idlis in a short space period of time.
How to reheat cooked idli
Reheat cooked idli using a stove
NB: this is the best method of reheating cooked idli. This is because heat really circulates around the cooked idli thus leaving them completely reheated.
In order to use this method to reheat cooked idli simply take a large pot and place water which is just enough to cover the bottom. Bring the water to a boil then add a steamer basket. Place the cooked idlis on top of the steamer basket and cover with a lid. Let the cooked idlis reheat for a few minutes until they are nice, soft and warm.
Reheat cooked idli in the microwave
NB: this is actually the fastest and easiest method to use when reheating cooked idli.
When reheating cooked idli in the microwave, the first thing is to place the cooked idli in a microwave safe dish. Sprinkle a few drops of water on top of the cooked idli. This will help to protect it from drying out during the reheating process. Cover the dish with a wet paper cloth or towel. This will also help to protect the cooked idli from the microwaves high temperature which tend to dry out foods. Microwave the cooked idli for 20 seconds then remove it. Serve it while hot in order to reduce the chances of food poisoning.
Conclusion
Cooked idli can be stored using a number of methods as highlighted above. However, the best method for storing cooked idli is the freezer. This is because it really extends the shelf life of the cooked idli. It is worth noting that when using any of the methods stated above to store cooked idli you need to ensure that you store the cooked idle at least 2 hours after preparation. This is because if you leave it exposed without any covering or protection of some sort it will get affected by bacteria.
