Best way to make IDLI SAMBAR

Idli Sambar recipe:

Description:

Idli Sambar is a popular South Indian dish consisting of soft, fluffy rice cakes (idli) served with a flavorful and aromatic lentil-based vegetable stew (sambar). This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it a perfect choice for a wholesome breakfast or a light meal.

Ingredients: For Idli

• 1 cup of rice
• 1/2 cup of urad dal (split black gram)
• Salt to Taste
• Water for soaking

More recipe : https://www.vegrecipebook.in/dal-makhani-recipe-2023/

For Sambar:

• 1 cup of toor dal (split pigeon peas)
• 2 cups of mixed vegetables (such as carrots, potatoes, eggplant, drumsticks, and okra), chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2-3 green chilies, slit
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon of sambar powder (readily available or homemade)
• A small piece of tamarind, soaked in warm Water
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
• teaspoon of cumin seeds
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• A few curry Leaves
• Chopped fresh coriander leaves for garnish

More recipe : Click

Instructions:

For Idli:

• Rinse and soak the rice and urad dal separately for 4-6 hours.
• Drain the water and grind them into a smooth batter, adding water as needed.
• Add salt to the batter and let it ferment overnight or for 6-8 hours.
• Grease idli molds, pour the batter into each mold, and steam for 10-12 minutes until they are cooked and fluffy.

For Sambar:

• Pressure cook the toor dal with water until soft and mushy.Mash it and set aside.
• In a large pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves.
• Add chopped onions and green chilies. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.
• Add tomatoes, turmeric powder, and sambar powder. Cook until the tomatoes become soft.
• Add the mixed vegetables and sauté for a few minutes.
• Extract tamarind juice from the soaked tamarind and add it to the pan along with salt. Simmer until the vegetables are tender.
• Add the mashed toor dal and simmer for a few more minutes until the sambar reaches a thick consistency.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Health Benefits:

• Idli is a good source of carbohydrates and protein.
• Sambar is rich in protein and fiber from lentils and vegetables.
• The dish is low in saturated fats and cholesterol.
• It provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Nutritional Value (Approx. Per Serving)

• Calories: 250-300 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 50-60g
• Protein: 10-15g
• Fat: 2-3g
• Fiber: 8-10g

Time of Cooking:

• Idli: 15-20 minutes (excluding fermentation time)
• Sambar: 30-40 minutes

Preparation Time:

• Idli batter preparation: 10 minutes (excluding soaking time)
• Sambar preparation: 20 minutes

Calorific Value:

• Approximately 250-300 calories per serving.

FAQs:

1. Can I use store-bought idli batter?

Yes, you can, for convenience.

2. What can I substitute for tamarind?

You can use lemon juice as a tamarind substitute.

3. Is sambar powder necessary?

It adds flavor, but you can use a mix of coriander, cumin, and red chili powder as an alternative.

4. Can I customize the vegetables in sambar?

Yes, use your favorite vegetables or what’s available.

5. Can I make idli without a steamer?

You can use a microwave or idli cooker.

Enjoy your nutritious and delicious homemade Idli Sambar!