South Indian Sambar (for Idli)

This is one of my favorite dishes from Tamil Nadu – a simple stew, really, but with these delightfully unplaceable flavors from the combination of spices and leaves. Serve it as a soup if you wish; however, the classic accompaniments would be rice and gram bean idli in the morning, or dosa in the evening. The idli dough is fermenting tonight, so it will be just a bowl of this great fresh soup and a few papad with lemon pickle. Ah, and a glass of wine, to celebrate a memorable meal.

Yum!

Rinse, cover w/water,
pressure cook 3-5m
1c Toor dal (flavor and stew-like), or
Masoor dal (lighter flavor, broth)
heat oil medium til hot,
add cumin to brown;
add remainder of spices
and fry briefly
2 T
1/2 t 
1 t
1 t
1/2 t
1/8 t
1/2 t
1 t
Oil
Cumin seeds
Red chili powder
Coriander powder
Coriander seeds
Hing (Asafotida) powder
Black mustard seeds
Fenugreek (Methi) seeds
add all vegetables,
including chopped leaves;
stir 2-3 minutes;
add cooked dal
and mix well
2
1
5
3
2
1/2″
1 c
8-10
1 t
1 t
Carrots, chopped roughly (approx. 1″)
Green chili, chopped
Okra, sliced lengthwise into 4
Egg plant (baby), tubular type, 1″ cubes
Tomato, chopped coarsely
Ginger, chopped
Coriander leaves, chopped
Kuri leaves
Lemon/Lime juice
Tamarind, soaked in water and crushed
add water and salt
to taste, cook 10-15m
2-3 c
taste
Water
Salt

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  1. Pingback: Parupu Pura Shaadam « A Well-Lit Path

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