Idli Sambar

Published under: Sambar
Different vegetables like beans, carrot, drumstick, etc. present in the sambhar provide enough fiber that aides your digestive health.
Idli Sambar on a banana leaf

Idli is a popular South Indian dish which is loved and relished across the country. It is a typical dish made from batter prepared from rice, urad dal, Bengal daal, and a few other kinds of cereal as well. Nowadays, people prefer making idlis from Semolina (Rava) as they also taste unique and delicious.

A common practice is to eat idlis with coconut chutney. However, having them with the traditional South Indian sambar gives a special experience to the food lovers. Some people prefer having it with both chutney and sambar.

Idlis are light to digest and are ideal breakfast snack as well. This dish has become so popular that even people living in northern, eastern and western parts of India enjoy having it with their friends and family.

Idli Sambar on a banana leaf

The sambar nourishes you with plenty of minerals and vitamins whereas the idli revitalizes you with carbohydrates and proteins. Also, idlis are not as heavy as rice or roti which makes it an ideal food for those who are on a diet. Since the batter is fermented before using, the nutrients get directly absorbed in the body. Also, you will hardly feel heavy or lazy after eating Idli Sambar.

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. Different vegetables like beans, carrot, drumstick, etc. present in the sambar provide enough fiber that aides your digestive health. Moreover, idlis are steamed and sambar contains very little content of oil which makes it perfect for your cardiovascular health too.

Do not ferment the batter for too long as it might add a tangy taste to the idlis. However, some people like to have tangy idlis as well. Idli Sambar can be carried in lunch boxes or can even be packed for trips and tours as its taste and freshness can be retained for a long time.

Idli Sambar on a banana leaf
5 from 2 votes

Idli Sambar Recipe

Different vegetables like beans, carrot, drumstick, etc. present in the sambhar provide enough fiber that aides your digestive health.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: South Indian
Keyword: sambar

Ingredients for Idli Sambar

  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 tsp Sambar Powder
  • 1 tsp Masoor Dal
  • 1 tsp Toor Dal
  • 1 no Drumstick cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 no Tomato chopped
  • 2 nos Onions finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp Yellow Pumpkin chopped
  • 1 tbsp Beans chopped
  • 1 tbsp Carrot chopped
  • 2 tsp Coriander Leaves finely chopped
  • 1 cup Tamarind Extract
  • as per taste Salt
  • as required Oil

To Grind:

  • 1 tsp Bengal Gram Dal
  • 1/2 tsp Urad Dal
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 2 tsp Coriander Seeds
  • 2 tsp Coconut grated
  • 2 nos Dry Red Chillies

For Tempering:

  • 1/2 tsp Fenugreek Seeds
  • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds

How to make Idli Sambar

  • Heat little oil in a frying pan.
  • Fry the ingredients to grind for 45 seconds.
  • Grind to a fine powder and keep aside.
  • Boil the masoor dal and toor dal together.
  • Transfer the tamarind extract to a pan over medium flame.
  • Add salt, turmeric powder, sambar powder and mix well.
  • Heat little oil in a frying pan.
  • Saute the onions, tomatoes, beans, pumpkin and carrot for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add to the tamarind extract and bring to a boil.
  • Add the ground masala and cooked dals.
  • Stir well and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Fry the tempering ingredients in little oil and add to the sambar.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves.

Notes

Serve hot with idli, dosa or pongal.

Praveen Kumar
Praveen Kumar
Praveen Kumar founded Awesome Cuisine, a platform created in 2008 to showcase India's vibrant culinary heritage. A digital marketer by profession and a passionate food lover, Praveen has been exploring the world of food since his school days. With Awesome Cuisine, he combines his expertise in digital marketing with his deep love for food, sharing delicious recipes and inspiring others to appreciate the joy of cooking. Through Awesome Cuisine, he invites you to join him on a flavorful journey and discover the wonders of Indian cuisine.

12 comments

Shankar August 10, 2011 - 1:29 am

Great…

Reply
priya July 3, 2010 - 5:29 am

Excellent recipe, give image ple.

Reply
Lavi June 19, 2010 - 2:08 pm

how a sambhar can be made without sambhar masala & tamarind water.
also moong dal is added which is not reqd…what kind of SAmbhar is dis??????? surely not a south indian one…

Reply
ngar May 20, 2010 - 3:22 am

its good

Reply
ipsita April 18, 2010 - 4:29 am

yummy………………… yaar
very delicious

Reply
ipsita April 18, 2010 - 4:26 am

yummy…………… very delicious
thanks

Reply
Sriram March 19, 2010 - 12:09 am

Very poor explanation. Without tamarind water how can you make sambar. Thoor dal to be pressure cooked and then added. It is not the way to make sambar. I request the website people to screen the recipe before putting onto the website.

Reply
potato chips January 16, 2012 - 1:52 am

hey its not that every sambar should be added tamarind water.. The unique taste of this idly sambar is that, it is made without tamarind water.
The rich taste and flavour is created by the other spices which we usually do not add in the normal sambar..

Reply
premashyam August 5, 2009 - 9:57 am

excellent taste thanks for giving this method

Reply
vel April 6, 2009 - 2:57 pm

It is really delicious , Thanks

Reply
vel April 6, 2009 - 2:55 pm

It is really delicious, Thanks

Reply
priti November 17, 2008 - 12:14 pm

good

Reply

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