#Steamed foods are many. Ela Ada of Kerala, Banho bo of Vietnam, Corundas from Mexico, Doklas from Gujarath, Momos, Kozhakkatai, honey sponge cake.... and many many more. But....

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  Sabka bhap hai IDLI. ************************


Now over to a steaming romantic story .....

This idli plate you see in the picture is an old one. It is a little larger than the normal size, and so was not able to use it. 

I think I inherited it from my mother in law's household.  People wanted to do away with idlis quickly in the mornings and opted for 4x4 plates which can be used inside cooker. So I took this idli plate just for keeps.

During this lockdown, since Watson had the inclination to eat idlis made in this thattu and I had the time to fulfill his inclination, we started looking out for this plate. We remembered very well that we had it somewhere, but could not go any further on investigating it's where abouts.  After 3 board meetings and 4 discussions on it's possibilities of having given it or  thrown it away and after CBI enquiry with brother in law,  and intense searching with the help of KGB, we found it on the attic, tucked under all my other vessels. 

Next thing was to find the right vessel or kadai that fits.

All my kadais are smaller than the idli plate and I had no lid to fit. 

Lid is very important.... The steam should not escape. ;) 

Pun unintended.....nu sollamaten. ;)

We tried everywhere to get the right sized idli patharam. We both tied  mask and went out to explore all the shops that were open in Mylapore. We went in and showed them the plate and they said no chance. I also tried  in Ratna stores T.nagar.

Then one morning I found Watson coming back home after his morning (walk) with something like a sword and shield. Like Bajirao in that movie. Actually he had a huge kadai and it's lid in his hands. He had taken his cycle and the idli plate to Parry's corner, M.A. Ethirajulu Naidu shop. 

We, at last won the battle. I put a red chutney thilak on his victory and made super duper idlis.  Apdi thanni thelichu edutha.....ahaaaa!!!! Steaming idlis. 

Masthani and Bajirao ate idlis and lived happily ever after.

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