Tiffin Sambar – Idli Sambar (with toor dal)

Idli and sambar is the most wonderful combo for any South Indian. This Tiffin Sambar is a very good accompaniment for idli, dosa,pongal or even upma and khichdi. This version is made with toor dal. Sambar made with freshly ground sambar powder has a very unique flavour. I had posted this recipe long long ago, and am updating the pics now.

Do check my Idli/Dosa post HERE!! Post with video for batter grinding/consistency!!

Now to the recipe…

[Preparation Time-10 mins : Cooking Time- 20 mins]

Ingredients:

• Toor Dal – 1/4 cup
• Shallots – 10 to 12
• Tomato – 1 chopped
• Tamarind paste – 1/2 tsp
• Coriander leaves – few
• Sambar powder – 2 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder – 1/8 tsp
• Oil –  1 tbsp
• Salt – as required

To temper:

• Mustard – 1 tsp
• Urid dal – 1/2 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds – 1/8 tsp
• Dry chilli – 1
• Asafoetida – 1/8 tsp
• Curry leaves – 1 sprig

Method:

• Presure cook toor dal with turmeric powder & a pinch of asafoetida. Heat a pan with oil and temper with the items given in “to temper” and fry. Add shallots and fry till transparent. Add chopped tomatoes and saute until tomatoes turn mushy.

• Meanwhile add 1 cup of water to tamarind paste and dilute it. To this add sambar powder & salt and keep it ready. (I had homemade sambar powder ready, so used it here) Add this to the onion, tomato and let it boil until the raw smell goes off. To this add cooked toor dal and mix. Let the Tiffin Sambar boil for a few mins until all the ingredients blend well with each other. Finally add some coriander leaves and switch off the flame.

Tiffin Sambar is ready!!

Serve hot with Idli/Dosa or Pongal..

Tips:

1. Unlike the sambar that we have with rice, this Tiffin Sambar should be less tangy.
2.  If u are using any vegetables like carrots, potato, brinjal… let them cook in the tamarind water and then add the cooked toor dal. I used carrots, U will not be able to see it in the stepwise pics though.
3. Shallots add a very unique flavour, so use them instead of the normal onions.
4. U can make the Tiffin Sambar and then temper it finally too.