Recipe: Eating on a Dime Idli-Sambhar

Lida Fuller

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Recipe: Eating on a Dime Idli-Sambhar Delicious, fresh and tasty.

Idli-Sambhar. idli sambar also known as tiffin sambar is a healthy & delicious mix vegetable dal soup served with South Indian breakfast foods. This idli sambar is a super fast recipe that uses only quick cook veggies. It is very delicious and can be served with idli, dosa, vada, pongal and even with rice. idli sambar recipe

Apart from idli, this sambar can also be served with dosa, vada and Pongal.

The hallmark of this idli sambar recipe is the addition of freshly roasted and ground spices.

Idli Sambar is a complete food in itself as it contains all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for your overall health.

You can cook Idli-Sambhar using 26 ingredients and 11 steps. Here is how you cook it.

Ingredients of Idli-Sambhar

You need 1/2 cup of urad dal.
It’s 3/4-1 cup of cold water (for grinding dal) – use chilled water in summer.
Prepare 1 cup of idli rice.
You need as needed of salt.
It’s for of Sambhar..
You need 1 Cup of Toor Dal.
It’s 1 tbsp of coriander seeds (or daniya).
Prepare 1 tbsp of Chana dal (or skinned split bengal gram).
It’s 1 tsp of urad dal (or skinned split black gram).
Prepare 1/2 tsp of cumin (or jeera).
You need 1/4-1/2 tsp of methi seeds (or fenugreek seeds).
Prepare 4-5 of red chilies (less spicy variety).
Prepare for of tempering or tadka for sambar recipe.
Prepare 2 tsp of ghee or oil.
You need 1 sprig of curry leaves.
You need 1/2 tsp of cumin (or jeera).
You need 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds.
Prepare 1 Pinch of methi seeds or fenugreek seeds.
It’s 2 pinches of asafoetida or hing.
It’s 2 of finely chopped onions.
You need 2 tbsps of tomato purée.
Prepare 1 of Red chilli broken (less spicy variety).
It’s 1/4 cup of Coriander leaves few with tender stalks – chopped.
Prepare as needed of salt.
Prepare 1 tsp of amchoor powder.
Prepare 1 tsp of sambhar powder.

Different vegetables like beans, carrot, drumstick, etc. present in the sambar provide enough fiber that aides your digestive health.

If you already haven't relished Idli Sambar at an Indian household or an Indian restaurant yet, then this is a must try!

Idli Sambar are a typical South Indian breakfast that has become popular across the globe for it's soft spongy Idlis and lipsmackingly delicious Sambar.

Idli Sambar aka Tiffin Sambar is a recipe from my Mom in law.

Idli-Sambhar step by step

Wash dal and rice until water runs clear. Soak them in lot of water for at least 5 to 6 hrs. After 4 to 5 hours, drain the water from dal & rice..
Grinding urad dal – Add dal, salt & enough cold water to grinding jar or a wet grinder. If you leave in a hot climate then skip adding salt now and add it just before making idli otherwise the batter turns sour..
Set the batter aside in a warm place for at least 6 to 12 hrs until the batter ferments and rise well. Sometimes it may take up to 18 hours depending on the weather and temperature.A well fermented batter will yield good soft idli. The batter must rise and look fluffy but not turn sour..
On a high flame, bring enough water to boil in an idly steamer or a pressure cooker. Grease your idly plates lightly..
Mix the batter gently a few times. do not over do as the aerated batter will turn flat. Fill the moulds with batter. When the water begins to bubble and steam up, place the stand in the steamer. Cover and steam for exactly 10 mins on a medium high flame..
After 2 mins, remove the idli stand. Set aside to cool down for 2 to 3 mins. When cooled, the idli must not be wet on top. With the help of a spoon remove them to a plate..
For Sambhar:Wash toor dal a few times in cooker or pot until the water runs clear..
Pour 2 cups water & pressure cook on a medium heat for ten minutes depending on the brand of cooker. The dal needs to be cooked till smooth..
When the pressure goes off, mash the dal to smooth. The dal needs to be very smooth otherwise it doesn’t taste good.Pour the tamarind pulp, filter if you desire. Add smooth dal, mix well to blend the dal with water. Bring it to a boil. Check if there is enough salt & sourness. If needed add more..
Meanwhile, heat another pan with oil or ghee. Add mustard, cumin & methi. When they begin to sizzle, add curry leaves, broken red chilli. When the leaves turn crisp, off the heat add hing. Add chopped onions,roast and add tomatoes purée,sauté well.You can also add 1/8 to 1/4 tsp of sambhar powder to the hot pan.Add some sambhar to the pan..
Quickly pour this seasoning to the sambar. Stir well. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes for the sambhar to become flavourful. We usually pour 2 to 3 ladles of sambhar to the tempering pan as the aroma of the tempering will be great this way.Serve hot with Idlis..

This is a no-dal recipe and it is so easy to make.

Idli sambar is not only popular in India but throughout the world.

This amazing recipe is native to South India and is loved by all sorts of foodies.

The recipe is served in the entire India as a street food as well as in high end restaurants.

Idli is steamed and is high in protein and so is sambar, the concoction of lentils and veggies.