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Showing posts with label IDLI/DOSA SAMBAR RECIPES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IDLI/DOSA SAMBAR RECIPES. Show all posts

August 17, 2016

Easy Hotel Sambar Recipe – How To Make Restaurant Style Idli Sambar

Easy hotel sambar recipe for idli

This is an easy version of hotel sambar recipe for idli without making hotel sambar powder. Usually I make Tamil nadu Hotel style idli sambar adding freshly roasted and ground spices. To make my job easier, I started making Idli sambar powder in bulk and use it to my need. Few months back, I watched Venkatesh Bhat’s hotel style idli sambar recipe in Samayal Samayal cookery show. It is a simplified & quick version of restaurant style idli sambar without any grinding job. As I had already tried Kerala ulli sambar recipe (Vengaya sambar), I found this recipe very close to it. So I tried it confidently.

As expected, it came out really well. I started making it regularly with my own modifications. This has become Raksha’s favorite idli sambar. It tastes good for all tiffin recipes like Idli, dosa, vada, Pongal and rice upma as well. For variations and to make it more healthy for your kids, you can add vegetables like potato, carrot & use few pieces of pumpkin instead of jaggery to give a natural sweetness in sambar. This sambar tastes mildly tangy and spicy which makes it drinkable. So you can dunk your idlis in this sambar and enjoy eating it ! If you like the taste of this sambar, you can use this sambar recipe for making mini idli sambar and sambar vadai. Try this easy version of idli sambar and prepare a quick side dish for idli, dosa during busy morning hours. Ok, lets see how to make hotel style idli sambar in an easy way !

Check out my other Idli Sambar varieties too !

restaurant style idli sambar


Hotel Style Idli sambar Recipe


Hotel Style Idli sambar Recipe Hotel style idli sambar recipe - Quick version
Cuisine: South Indian
Category: Side dish For Idli, dosa
Serves: Serves 3
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
  • Toor Dal - 1/4 cup
  • Moong dal - 1 tbsp
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Cooking oil - few drops
  • Water - 2 cups
  • Big onion - 1 no (cubed) Or shallots/small onion - 10nos
  • Ripe tomato - 2 nos (Small sized, Do not chop it, use whole tomato)
  • Asafetida/Hing - a big pinch
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Grated jaggery - 1/2 tsp
  • Besan flour – 1 tsp
To temper
  • Cooking oil or ghee - 1 tbsp ( Use ghee for best taste)
  • Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
  • Methi seeds - 1/8 tsp( 5nos)
  • Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
  • Sambar powder - 1 tbsp
  • Red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Dhania powder – 1 tsp
Ghee  - 1 tsp & coriander leaves - to garnish

** Skip onion to make no onion, no garlic idli sambar
** Use 3 pumpkin cubes along with dal to get natural sweetness in sambar.
**Add mixed vegetables like carrot & potato with dal to make it more healthy.Use one tomato if its bigger in size or sour in taste .
         
HOW TO MAKE HOTEL SAMBAR - METHOD

  • Wash and take the toor dal, moong dal in a pressure cooker base. Add 2 cups of water and let it soak for few minutes till you chop onions. Chop the onion and add to the cooker. Add 2 small or one big whole tomato ( Do not chop the tomato because dal may not cook mushy), turmeric powder, curry leaves, hing and few drops of cooking oil. Add enough water and cook the dal in low flame for 2 whistles. Remove the lid after the steam is released. Mash the dal + tomato very well. Make sure dal is well cooked and mashed well.
Hotel style idli sambar recipe
  • Dilute besan flour in 1/4 cup of water and add to the cooked dal ( ** Adding besan flour helps to get a creamy texture to this sambar and blends well with dal).  Add jaggery. Mix well. In a kadai, heat ghee.  Keep the flame low. Splutter mustard seeds, methi seeds, urad dal, cumin seeds & sambar powder, red chilli powder and dhania powder. Saute for few seconds without burning sambar powder. Do not change its color. Add the mashed dal + besan flour mixture to the kadai. Boil the sambar for  few minutes by adding chopped coriander leaves and 1 tsp ghee. Check for taste, Add salt or red chilli powder if  needed for spicy taste. Boil for one more minute. Switch off the flame ,cover the sambar with a lid and give a standing time of one hour before serving. This sambar thickens when it cools down.So add 1/2 cup water to adjust its thickness and check for salt. Reheat it if you wish and then serve.
    Hotel style idli sambar recipe
  • Enjoy with hot idli, dosa & pongal. Drizzle a tsp of sesame oil or ghee if you like !

Try this easy version of hotel idli sambar at home and enjoy with piping hot idlis !
You will love it !
restaurant style sambar for idli

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July 18, 2016

Idli Sambar Powder Recipe – How To Make Hotel Idli Sambar Podi

Idli sambar powder recipe
Homemade idli sambar powder – Idli sambar can be prepared in many ways. But most of the people like hotel idli sambar ( restaurant style idli sambar) as it has got a special flavor.Usually my Mom & MIL makes Idli sambar adding freshly ground spices in addition to our usual Kuzhambu milagai thool/sambar powder just like hotels. My mom calls this powder “Mel podi” in Tamil. My MIL makes this sambar podi every time freshly whereas my mom makes this powder in bulk quantity and stock it for a week. She adds this powder to idli sambar and lunch sambar as well. Its a very simple recipe with just 5 ingredients. Sendhil loves hotel style idli sambar as it is more flavorful than the plain idli sambar. But most of the time especially during busy morning hours, I make a simple onion sambar for idli without adding mel podi. Recently my mom suggested me to grind and store this idli sambar powder and use it whenever needed. I gave a try and it really helped me for quick & easy cooking. Its smell & flavor lasted for more than 2 weeks even though I made in small quantity. If you have leftover lunch sambar in hand, you can add this powder to convert into idli sambar. Check out Notes section in this post. I have shared in detail.Friends, do try this idli sambar powder and make restaurant style sambar at home easily. Lets see how to make it.
Idli sambar powder recipe

Idli sambar powder - Hotel idli sambar podi


Idli sambar powder - Hotel idli sambar podi How to make idli sambar powder at home for making hotel style sambar
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Homemade powders
Serves: 1/2 cup
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp - 15ml : 1 tsp - 5ml
  • Dhania/Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp (heaped)
  • Chana dal - 2 tbsp
  • Methi seeds/ Fenugreek - 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds/Jeera - 1 tsp
  • Red chilli - 5 nos ( I used byadge & guntur chillies for color & spiciness)
  • Cooking oil - 1 tsp
For variations you can few curry leaves while roasting. Dry grated coconut can be added while grinding but not more than 1 tsp.
METHOD

  • In a small kadai, heat oil. Add the methi seeds, when it starts to sizzle add the chana dal, pinched red chillies, cumin seeds and dhania seeds.Roast everything in low to medium flame. Make sure no dals or spices are burnt.
Idli sambar powder recipe
  • Let them cool down. Grind everything to a fine powder. Store in an air tight box and use it whenever needed. This sambar powder stays good for one week if stored in an air tight box.
Idli sambar powder recipe
  • Please refer my HOTEL IDLI SAMBAR post for the procedure of making sambar. In that recipe, I have shared the ingredients of spices to roast & grind. No need to make that powder. Instead add 1 tbsp of  this sambar powder at the end.Give a boil.Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. If you have left over lunch sambar in hand, you can easily convert that into hotel style idli sambar. For that : Season mustard seeds, cumin and curry leaves in ghee ( Add chopped small onions if needed). Add 1 tbsp of this idli powder in the ghee,saute for a second and add to the left over sambar. Dilute 1 tbsp of besan flour in 1/4 cup of water. Add to the sambar. Mix everything well. Let the sambar boil nicely. Check for taste and add more salt or sambar powder if needed.Enjoy !
Note : In this recipe, I have used less number of chillies. So I add either green chilli or add some sambar powder or red chilli powder for extra spiciness. So please add more chilli powder or chillies as per you need.
Try to prepare this sambar 1-2 hours before serving. This standing time helps for all the flavor to enhance while serving. You can use this powder for making sambar 3-4 times.
Try this homemade idli sambar powder and share your feedback with me.

Idli sambar podi recipe

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May 30, 2016

Idli Sambar Recipe – How To Make Tiffin Sambar

Idli sambar recipe
I learnt this recipe from my friend Shalini. This method of making South Indian Idli sambar must be new to many of you I guess. This recipe calls for grinding masala using raw vegetables, coconut & sambar powder. So the flavor and taste of this sambar is different from our usual Hotel idli sambar and its healthy too. But this recipe is easy to make and tasted awesome. My entire family loved it very much. A big hug to my friend Shalini for teaching me this yummy Idli sambar. I am sure, I will be making this side dish for idli, dosa very often in my kitchen. Lets see how to make Idli sambar recipe using ground vegetable masala.

Idli sambar recipe with ground vegetables


Idli sambar recipe with ground vegetables Idli sambar recipe with ground vegetable masala
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Sambar recipes
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 25 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
To pressure cook
  • Toor dal – one handful (2 tbsp)
  • Big onion - 1 no
  • Tomato - 1 no
  • Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
  • Cooking oil - few drops
  • Water – 1.5 cups
To grind
  • Carrot - 1/2 no (medium)
  • Cabbage – 1 small leaf or roughly chopped cabbage - 2 tbsp
  • Grated coconut - 2 tsp
  • Sambar powder - 2 tsp
  • Tamarind - Berry size ( sundakkai alavu)
To Temper
  • Ghee – 2 tsp
  • Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves – few
  • Hing/Asafetida – 1/8 tsp
Salt & water – as needed
Jaggery – 1/2 tsp
Coriander leaves – to garnish
 HOW TO MAKE TIFFIN SAMBAR - METHOD

  • Wash and pressure cook the dal, Chopped onion, one whole tomato ( Do not chop the tomato), Turmeric powder and few drops of cooking oil. Add enough water and cook the dal in low flame for 2 whistles. Remove the lid after the steam is released. Mash the dal + tomato very well and set aside.
  • In a mixie jar, take the sliced carrot, chopped cabbage, grated coconut, sambar powder and tamarind. Add the required water and grind them to a smooth paste.
How to make idli sambar
How to make idli sambar
  • Add this ground paste to the cooked dal mixture. Mix well. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of water based on the thickness. Let the sambar roll boil well at least for 3-4 minutes in medium flame till the raw smell of vegetable and sambar powder goes off. Add jaggery when it boils. Check for taste.
How to make idli sambar
  • Heat ghee in a kadai and when it gets heated, splutter the mustard seeds, urad dal , hing and curry leaves. Add to the sambar and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Mix well and cover the sambar till use. Serve with hot idli drizzled with a tsp of gingely oil.
How to make idli sambar
Enjoy !

Note
  • Adjust the quantity of sambar powder as per your taste.
  • As we are grinding the vegetables and coconut, it gives thickness to the sambar. So it needs less toor dal.
  • Do not add more vegetables for grinding as it may change the flavor of sambar.
  • I have added tomato, onion along with dal. If you wish, you can saute them in oil and then add to the dal.
  • Tempering in ghee gives a nice flavor.


Enjoy this yummy sambar with hot idli drizzling a tsp of sesame oil/gingely oil!!
Idli sambar
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May 11, 2016

Tomato Kurma Recipe –Thakkali Kurma For Idli Dosa

Tomato kurma recipe
I learnt this tomato kurma recipe from my apartment neighbor aunty. She make this tomato kurma kuzhambu (She calls this as Thakkali sambar in Tamil) as a side dish for idli, dosa and Idiyappam very often. The awesome aroma of this gravy that wafts through my apartment made me ask the recipe from her and tried it immediately. It was a lovely combo for idli & dosa. I am sure it goes well with chapati/Roti and Appam if its made slightly thick but not with rice. 
In Tamil, we used to call mildly spiced gravies as Kuruma Kulambu. This is one of its kind. It tastes like kurma but looks like Kuzhambu/Sambar/Gravy in consistency. Do not forget to smell your hands after eating ;))  If you are looking for tomato kuzhambu recipe without coconut for rice , please check it HERE. Now Lets see how to do Tomato kurma for idli, dosa. 

Tomato kurma recipe

Tomato kurma for Idli, Dosa and Idiyappam


Tomato kurma for Idli,dosa and Idiyappam How to make Tomato kurma for Idli, Dosa, Appam and Idiyappam
Cuisine: South Indian
Category: Side dish for idli dosa
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 20 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup = 250ml

  • Cooking oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1/2 tsp
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Big onion – 1no
  • Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
  • Red chilli powder – 1 tsp ( I used Kashmiri chilli pwd)
  • Salt & water - as needed
To grind
  • Grated coconut -1.5 tbsp
  • Fried gram dal/Pottukadalai – 1 tsp
  • Cinnamon - 1 small piece
  • Cloves - 1 no
  • Cardamom - 1no ( small)
  • Dhania seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Fennel seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Ginger - 1/2 inch piece
  • Garlic cloves - 3 nos
  • Khus-khus - 1/2 tsp ( optional)
  • Ripe tomato - 2 nos ( saute in oil and then grind with above ingredients)
  • Cooking oil - 2 tsp
Coriander leaves – to garnish
HOW TO MAKE TOMATO KURMA - METHOD

  • Wash and chop the tomato into cubes. Heat oil in a kadai and saute the tomato pieces till mushy. Take the grated coconut, gram dal,  whole spices, ginger, garlic, dhania seeds, khus khus and grind it coarsely without adding water. Now add the sauteed tomato and again grind everything to a smooth paste adding enough water.
Tomato kurma
Tomato kurma
  • Heat oil in a kadai and splutter mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves. Saute the finely chopped onions till transparent. To this add, the ground masala paste along with a cup of water. Add salt, turmeric powder and red chilli powder.
Tomato kurma
Tomato kurma for idli dosa
  • Boil the gravy till the raw smell of masala paste goes off. If the gravy becomes too thick, add little water, check for sat, boil and remove in a bowl. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with Idli, dosa adding a tsp of gingely oil.
Enjoy !

Note
  • Add minimum quantity of whole spices else it will over power the taste of kurma.
  • Add more or less chilli powder based on the tanginess of tomato.
  • You can skip cardamom while grinding.

Enjoy this yummy kurma kuzhambu with Idli, dosa, Idiyappam and Appam !
I love to have Idli drenched in Kurma like you see in the picture. How about you ??
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March 1, 2016

Instant Sambar For Idli – Pottukadalai Sambar Recipe

pottukadalai sambar for idli
Its my long time wish to make sambar recipe for idli dosa without dal. Recently my reader Suchi Vasan shared an Instant Pottukadalai sambar for idli. Its a very simple & quick sambar recipe that can be made without toor dal, moong dal or coconut. Tomato, onion, sambar powder & fried gram dal( pottukadalai in Tamil) is enough to make this side dish.

I won’t say its taste is as good as dal/paruppu sambar. It doesn't suit well for Pongal or rice but it tastes good with idli, dosa. Do try it during busy morning hours & make your job simple. Lets see how to prepare Instant Idli sambar using pottukadalai.

Check out my other Idli sambar recipes HERE and my instant idli sambar without dal

Pottukadalai sambar

Instant sambar recipe for idli dosa


Instant sambar recipe for idli dosa How to make quick & easy sambar for idli.
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Side dish
Serves: Serves 3
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 10 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes
INGREDIENTS

  • Ripe tomato - 2 nos ( big)
  • Big onion or small onion - 2 nos/12 nos
  • Red chillies - 4 nos
  • Fried gram dal/Pottukadalai - 2 tbsp
  • Dhania powder - 1/2 tsp to 3/4 tsp
  • Sambar powder - 1 tsp
  • Salt & water - as needed
To temper
  • Cooking oil - 1 tbsp + 1/2 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Urad dal - 1 tsp
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Asafetida/Hing - 2 pinches
  • Coriander leaves - to garnish
  • Ghee - 1 tsp ( to garnish)
METHOD

  • Wash & chop the tomato & onions. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a kadai and saute red chillies, onions, tomato pieces & pottukadalai/fried gram dal. Saute until tomato turns pulpy.Let the mixture cools down. Grind to a smooth paste adding required water.
instant pottukadalai sambar recipe
  • In a kadai,heat oil.Temper mustard seeds, urad dal, hing & curry leaves. Add onion & saute until transparent if using. I din’t use onions. Add the ground tomato paste. Add 1 cup of water & mix well. Add salt, turmeric powder,sambar powder & dhania powder. Let the sambar boil well for few minutes. Add more water based on the consistency you need. Garnish with coriander leaves and a tsp of ghee. Easy, Instant Idli sambar is ready. Enjoy !
Instant pottukadalai sambar


Note
  • Add more chillies while roasting if you want spicy sambar.
  • Add ghee for more flavor at the end.
Enjoy this easy, tasty sambar with idli & dosa !
Instant tiffin sambar

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August 27, 2015

Kerala Ulli Sambar Recipe - Kerala Sambar For Idli, Dosa & Rice

For every Onam sadya menu,I love to try varieties of Kerala style sambar.I have tried Mixed vegetable sambar and Arachuvitta sambar. This year, I prepared Kerala Ulli sambar/Onion(Shallot) sambar without coconut for the first time from Kothiyavunu. It was easy to make without coconut, grinding job and tasted yummy just like restaurant style sambar. It was a good side dish for idli,dosa & tiffin varieties like pongal,upma and it was also a good accompaniment for plain rice.We loved this sambar very much.The highlight of this recipe is that the spice powders are roasted and mixed with the sambar at the end.It gives a superb flavor to the sambar and tastes more like hotel ones.You can try this sambar for mini idli.It tastes awesome with ghee.Do try this easy sambar recipe for this Onam sadya and enjoy.Lets see the preparation of Kerala style ulli sambar .

Check out our Tamil nadu style Vengaya sambar recipe for rice.


Kerala Ulli Sambar Recipe


Kerala Ulli Sambar Recipe Kerala Ulli Sambar Recipe - How to make Shallot/Small Onion sambar for idli,dosa & rice
Cuisine: Kerala
Category: Side dish
Serves: Serves 4
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 200ml
  • Toor dal - 1/2 cup
  • Tamarind - Medium lemon size
  • Coconut oil – 1 tbsp ( for sauting)
  • Small onion/Shallots - 20 nos
  • Green chillies – 1-2 nos
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Tomato - 1 no
  • Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder - 2 tsp
  • Sambar powder – 1 tbsp
  • Salt & water - as needed
  • Jaggery – 1/2 tsp
To temper
  • Coconut oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Hing/Asafetida - a pinch
  • Red chilli - 1 no
To garnish
  • Coriander leaves - as needed
METHOD
  • Soak tamarind in war water and take the extract using 1 cup of water.Pressure cook toor dal adding enough water,turmeric powder & a pinch of hing.Mash well and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a kadai and saute the small onions,green chillies,curry leaves till onion turns transparent. Add the tomato pieces,salt & saute till mushy.

  • Add the tamarind extract,turmeric powder and boil well. Add jaggery.After the onions are cooked well,add the mashed dal.

  • Heat oil in a kadai and when its heated , splutter mustard seeds,cumin seeds,hing,sambar powder,red chilli powder & dhania powder.Mix well in medium flame and add everything to the sambar.Boil well for a minute.Add raw curry leaves.Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Enjoy !

Visit my Onam Sadya recipes here

Note
  • Make sure you don’t burn the masala powders while roasting.
  • Adding them at the end is the highlight of this ulli sambar.So do follow the same.
  • Add more chilli powder & sambar powder as per your taste.
  • You can also add big onions if you don’t have small onions in hand.But small onions gives the nice flavor.
Enjoy Kerala style Ulli sambar with by mixing with plain rice & ghee.It can also be had with Idli,dosa & pongal !



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May 26, 2015

Udupi Sambar Recipe-Hotel Style-No Onion No Garlic Sambar

Udupi hotel sambar
Last week I tried this Udupi hotel sambar recipe for idli and that too without onion,garlic brahmin version after years.I came across this recipe in “The Hindu” Food safari section.The recipes I have tried from that section is always a super hit in my home.The best example is my soft kulcha recipe.The taste & cooking method of this udipi sambar is very close to my Hotel idli sambar using freshly ground sambar powder.So Sendhil & myself liked it a lot and relished with idli,dosaHappy.Try this recipe if you are looking for a no onion no garlic side dish for idli,dosa & pongal.You will love it !Lets see how to make this Karnataka Udupi's most popular sambar recipe with step by step pictures.
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May 6, 2015

Mini Idli Sambar - Ghee Sambar Idli Recipe - Hotel Style 14 Idli Sambar

Mini idli sambar
Hello friends, Sorry I couldn’t post biryani recipes in my Sunday lunch series for the past two weeks. As l was having continuous trips to Salem, I couldn’t do it. I will come up with a yummy biryani this weekend for sure. Today’s post is a kids friendly breakfast recipe. Yes, it is hotel style mini idli sambar. It is popularly known as ghee sambar idli, 14 idly sambar in Tamil nadu. My friends here call it as Button idli sambar, Coin idli sambar etc etc by different names. This is my daughter’s favorite breakfast/dinner recipe. 

Generally I make idli sambar for dinner more than breakfast. I follow my hotel idli sambar recipe with some modifications for making mini idli sambar. Most of the people make this sambar in a simple way just by adding sambar powder and tamarind. But I always make it using freshly ground sambar masala and tomatoes (without tamarind and vegetables). 

My friend Shalini suggested me to use raw onions and coriander leaves along with ghee for topping which adds great taste to this recipe. You can drink/eat this sambar with raw onions as such even without mini idlis. This combination tastes soo good. Last year I conducted a small party at my home for Raksha’s birthday.

On that day, I made mini idli sambarvermicelli pulao and curd rice along with corn cheese balls chips ice cream and gulab jamun. This mini idli sambar was a super hit among my friends and kids. Everybody asked for second serving and the whole sambar bowl got emptied quickly. I was thinking to share this recipe in my blog for long time. But I couldn’t. At last I made it yesterday just for blogging sake. It came out really well. Sendhil liked it a lot. 

For parties, you can make it in bulk quantity easily if you have mini idli stand with 3 plates and you can serve them hot anytime by reheating the sambar. 

Friends, do try this kids favorite ghee sambar idli during this vacation and take the credits from your family members. Lets see how to make this mini idli sambar recipe in detail.
Ghee sambar idli recipe

Mini idli sambar recipe


Mini idli sambar recipe How to make  hotel style 14 idli sambar/ghee sambar idli recipe.
Cuisine: Indian
Category: Breakfast
Serves:  2
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes


INGREDIENTS
1 cup - 250ml
For idli
  • Idli dosa batter - 2 cups
  • Rice flour -1.5 tsp( optional)
  • Water & salt - add only if needed
  • Oil - to grease
  • Ghee - to serve
For sambar
  • Toor dal - 1/2 cup
  • Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp
  • Hing/Asafetida – 2 pinches
  • Cooking oil - few drops
  • Ripe tomatoes - 3 nos ( Do not chop)
To roast & grind
  • Cooking oil - 1 tsp
  • Dhania/Coriander seeds - 2 tsp
  • Chana dal - 1 tbsp
  • Red chillies - 2 nos
  • Methi seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Grated coconut - 2 tbsp ( 2 small finger size pieces)
To saute in oil
  • Cooking oil - 1 tbsp
  • Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
  • Hing - few pinches
  • Small onions - 10 nos
  • Curry leaves - few
  • Sambar powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Salt & water - as needed
  • Jaggery – a small piece
For topping
  • Coriander leaves - for topping
  • Finely chopped big onion - 1 no ( for topping)
  • Ghee - few tsp to drizzle on top
HOW TO MAKE MINI IDLI SAMBAR - METHOD

  • Pressure cook toor dal adding turmeric powder, hing, whole ripe tomatoes( I don’t chop tomatoes because dal may not turn mushy) and a drop of cooking oil. 
  • Cook for one whistle in very low flame adding 2 cups of water (If you wish, You can add drumstick and other vegetables in a bowl and cook separately inside the cooker). Remove the lid and mash the dal with tomatoes using a whisk.
Mini idli sambar recipe
  • Peel and chop onions. Heat oil in a kadai and roast all the ingredients given under “to roast and grind” in medium flame till the dals turn golden. Make sure u don’t burn the dhania seeds. Lastly add the coconut , mix well and switch off the flame.
  •  If using pieces of coconut, just add it at the beginning and roast it along with dals. Grind everything to a fine powder and set aside. Mix this powder with the cooked & mashed dal.
Mini idli sambar recipe
  • In the same kadai, heat oil and temper mustard, jeera. Saute small onions, curry leaves. Add a cup of water, sambar powder, required salt, jaggery, turmeric powder, hing and cook the onions well.
Mini idli sambar recipe
  • Add the cooked dal + ground masala powder mixture to the sambar and add 1/2 cup of water to adjust the consistency. Boil well for few minutes till you get a nice aroma.
  • Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Transfer the sambar to a vessel and add 2 tsp of ghee. Keep it closed and give a standing time of 30 minutes to 1 hour for all the taste to blend well.
Mini idli sambar recipe
  • To make mini idlis, take 1 cup of idli batter and add 1 tsp of rice flour if you want to thicken the batter. Mix well . Grease the mini idli stand with oil and spoon the batter in each hole. Steam in idli pot for 10 minutes till they are done. Keep it in a hot box/ Casserole till serving.
  • While serving, reheat the sambar. Take a small bowl and pour 2 ladleful of sambar. Put the idlis, add few tsp of ghee, finely chopped coriander leaves, onions and serve hot.
Mini idli sambar recipe

Enjoy !
Note
  • I have not used vegetables here. If you wish to add some veggies, take the chopped carrot, drumstick, potato in a small bowl and pressure cook with dal by keeping the bowl inside the cooker.
  • You can also saute the finely chopped tomatoes along with onions instead of pressure cooking with dal.
  • Adding jaggery gives a nice sweet taste to sambar. U can replace the jaggery by adding few pumpkin pieces to add natural sweetness.
  • If you want to make this sambar in a simple way without grinding masala, add 1 tsp of sambar powder and 1/2 tsp of red chilli powder while cooking onions.


Try this yummy mini idli sambar for your kids during this vacation and make them happy.
Mini idli sambar recipe
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