Idli Sambar

It is the traditional Idly sambar in Tamilnadu. The sambar is special for only Idli and dosas. It is different from the usual sambar that we made for the rice. We use both toor dal and moong dal.

My mom is the best cook in the world and this is my mom's recipe. When she makes at home when we were kids I don't have a count on how many idli or dosa I eat.  My mom uses both the dals which is unusual in most homes in South India and don't use tamarind pulp which is must in sambar in most homes. 

You can any type of vegetables like plantain, sweet potatoes.

Ingredients:

• Moong dal - 1cup 
• Toor dal - 1/4 cup 
• Drumsticks - 5(11/2 inch pieces)
• Carrot - 1(cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
• capsicum - 4 to 5 pieces
• Brinjal - 1 Medium size(cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
• Potato - 1(cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
• Green chili - 2nos
• Cumin seeds - 1tbsp
• Tomato - 1medium size
• Onion - 1medium size 
• Sambar powder - 1tbsp
• Turmeric powder - 1tsp
• Salt for taste

For tempering/tadka/thalikka:

• Oil as needed
• Shallots - 1small(chopped)
• Mustard seeds - 1tbsp 
• Urad dal - 1/2tbsp 
• Curry leaves - Optional

Instructions

• In a pressure cooker fry the moong dal for 6-7 minutes until lightly golden brown.
• Add the toor dal, vegetables, chopped tomato, chopped onion, green chilies, and cumin seeds. Pressure them till 2 whistles. 

• Then, open the cooker and add sambar powder, turmeric powder, salt and cook for 5 minutes.

• Now, in a tempering vessel pre-heat, the oil and splutter the mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves.

• Add the onion and fry them till golden brown and then, add to the sambar.

• Serve sambar with Idli, dosa and even with plain white rice.