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Rice flour forms a staple in most households in India and forms the base for a variety of good dishes. Whether it is in the South, where it goes into crispy dosas and idlis, or in the North, where it finds its way into sweet dishes and snacks alike. Rice flour has emerged to be an equally versatile ingredient, cutting across regional boundaries. Making rice flour at home ensures freshness and no preservatives in the ingredient one is going to use for one's loved recipes. Besides, it's cheaper and easier to prepare than you might think. Let's get right into this simple process of making rice flour at home and look at five delicious dishes you can make with it.
How to Make Rice Flour at Home
Making rice flour at home is quite a simple process. It does not call for too much equipment at all. Here is a step-by-step process:
Choose Your Rice: Use good-quality raw rice. You may use white, brown, or sticky rice, according to your preference and the dishes you wish to make.
Wash and Soak: Clean the rice to remove impurities and extra starch. Then, soak the rice in water for at least 1-2 hours. Soaking will help soften the grains, which can then be ground more easily.
Dry the Rice: After soaking, drain out all the water. Now, lay the rice on a clean cloth or paper towels to dry completely. This might take a few hours depending on the humidity in your location.
Grind the Rice: Once the rice has completely dried out, grind it in small lots in a high-power blender, food processor, or dedicated rice flour mill. Grind until you get a fine, powdery consistency.
Sift the Flour: This will help you attain a fine texture by riddling the ground rice flour through a fine-mesh sieve. In case some big pieces still exist, then you may re-grind them.
Proper Storage: Store this freshly made rice flour in an airtight container in a dry and cool place. The flour can be placed in the refrigerator or the freezer to store it for a longer period.
Dishes You Can Make using Rice Flour
Dosas: Among the erstwhile South Indian breakfasts that have become most commercial in the market are dosas. They are thin, crispy pancakes prepared from rice flour and urad dal batter, which undergoes fermentation. Have them with chutneys and sambar for a great meal.
Puttu: Puttu is steamed rice flour, which is a staple in Kerala, layered with grated coconut. It's normally relished with banana and kadala curry, which makes it healthy and wholesome for breakfast.
Rice Flour Chapati: These gluten-free flatbreads are an excellent alternative to wheat chapatis. They go beautifully with the curry or a dollop of ghee or butter.
Chettinad Kozhukattai: It is a popular Tamil snack, which is steamed dumplings comprising rice flour and filled with sweet or savoury mix. They are specifically prepared during festivals and special occasions.
Nippattu: Nippattu is a variety of crispy and spicy snack from Karnataka. These are rice-flour crackers with flavours of peanuts, sesame seeds, and spices that constitute the perfect tea-time or festival snack on any given day.
