Steamed Rice Cakes with Lentil Stew — Idli Sambar
A South Indian weekend brunch of steamed fermented rice-and-lentil cakes served with a tangy lentil-vegetable stew tempered with curry leaves.
Indian
Categories
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
For 2 servings
Instructions
Prep
Rinse 120g toor dal. Soak 3 tsp tamarind paste in 200ml warm water 5 minutes, then strain, discarding solids. Peel and cut 2 small carrots into 1-inch sticks. Cut 2 small tomatoes into wedges. Halve 4 shallots. Cut 2 drumsticks into 2-inch lengths. Brush idli moulds lightly with oil. Chop 2 tbsp fresh coriander.
Simmer 1
Combine toor dal, 800ml water, and 0.5 tsp turmeric in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim foam, reduce to low, cover, and simmer 25 minutes until dal is completely soft. Whisk briefly to break down any whole lentils.
Simmer 2
Return dal to medium-low heat. Add drumsticks, carrots, tomatoes, shallots, 0.5 tsp turmeric, 3 tbsp sambar powder, tamarind water, and 1 tsp salt. Simmer 8 minutes uncovered until vegetables are tender but holding shape and sambar thickens slightly.
Bloom
While sambar simmers, heat 2 tbsp oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and cook 15 seconds until they pop. Add 0.5 tsp urad dal, cook 30 seconds until light golden. Add 20 curry leaves, 2 broken dried red chillies, and 1 pinch asafoetida. Sizzle 5 seconds until curry leaves crackle. Pour entire tempering into sambar.
Steam
While sambar rests 2 minutes covered, bring 2 inches water to a boil in steamer base. Fill idli moulds 3/4 full with batter. Place idli stand inside, steam covered on medium heat 10 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Rest idlis 2 minutes covered, then run a spoon around each mould and lift out.
Plate
Arrange 6 to 8 warm idlis on plates (3 to 4 per person). Pour hot sambar alongside. Garnish sambar with 2 tbsp fresh coriander. Serve immediately with coconut chutney, lemon pickle, and roasted papad on the side.
Recipes use AI and Edamam. Always check for allergens before cooking. Spotted something wrong—email us at hello@grubplanit.com.