Sambar for Idlys

Sambar is an authentic recipe from the South. Made out of dhal, it gets its flavor mainly from the ingredients used and the way its cooked. Both thuvar dhal and split moong can be used for making Idly sambar. Today am gonna blog the sambar that I made with Thuvar dhal.

INGREDIENTS :

1 cup thuvar dhal (cooked well)
1 big onion (sliced to 4)
2 med tomatoes
2 tbsp channa dhal
1 tbsp urad split
3 tbsp dhaniya seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
3-4 red chillies (can be kept less or substituted with green chillies)
3-4 tbsp coconut (optional,if weight conscious)
2-4 tbsp skinned bengal gram (pottu kadalai in tamil)
2 tbsp oil
2 tsp mustard seeds
2-3 sambar chillies (the round red ones,optional)
salt to taste
cilantro leaves to garnish

PREPARATION :

1.Wash the thuvar dhal, add 2 cups of water and pressure cook till 3-4 whistles.
2.In a small pan heat 1 tbsp oil and when its hot enough add chana and urad dhal and fry till golden brown.
3.Add the dhaniya seeds,red chillies,cumin seeds and fry till a nice aroma (2 min max).Immediately transfer to a cup as we dont wanna burn the ingredients.
4.Add 1 tbsp oil and when hot add the sliced onions and fry till soft and done
5.Add the chopped tomatoes and fry till done (if the skin starts peeling off a little it indicates its done)
6.Add this to the roasted dhal and grind with the coconut and skinned bengal gram to a smooth paste,adding water.
7.Mix this paste with the cooked dhal ,add salt to taste and let it come to a boil on a low flame.
8.In 1 tsp of oil add the mustard seeds when hot,until it splutters.Then add the sambar chillies and curry leaves and mix with the dhal
9.Ganish with cilantro leaves and serve hot.

SERVES - 4