Idli Sambar Recipe — Easy & Authentic

Idli Sambar is a beloved South Indian dish consisting of steamed rice cakes served with a spicy lentil soup. It’s nutritious, delicious, and perfect for breakfast or a light meal.

🥗 Nutrition (per serving)

🥦 Ingredients

For Idli

• 1 cup idli rice
• 1/4 cup urad dal (split black gram)
• 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed

For Sambar

• 1 cup toor dal (pigeon peas)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 potato, chopped
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp sambar powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp tamarind pulp
• Coriander leaves for garnish
• 2 tbsp oil
• Mustard seeds and curry leaves for tempering

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Step 1: Soak idli rice and urad dal with fenugreek seeds in water for 6-8 hours.
2. 2Step 2: Drain and blend the soaked ingredients into a smooth batter, adding water as needed.
3. 3Step 3: Ferment the batter overnight or for 8 hours until it rises.
4. 4Step 4: For sambar, cook toor dal in a pressure cooker until soft.
5. 5Step 5: In a pan, heat oil, add mustard seeds and curry leaves, then sauté onions, tomatoes, and vegetables.
6. 6Step 6: Add turmeric, sambar powder, and cooked dal, mix well, and add tamarind pulp and salt.
7. 7Step 7: Simmer the sambar for 10-15 minutes and garnish with coriander leaves.
8. 8Step 8: Steam the idli batter in an idli maker for about 10-12 minutes until cooked.
9. 9Step 9: Serve hot idlis with sambar and coconut chutney.

💡 Chef's Tips

• Use freshly ground spices for better flavor.
• Adjust the consistency of sambar with water as per your preference.
• For softer idlis, ensure proper fermentation of the batter.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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