Ingredients:
- Tur Dal – 1/2 cup
- Onions – 2 nos (large-sized; julienned and halved to a shorter length)
- Tomatoes – 3 nos (large-sized; cubed into 1/2 pieces)
- Chilli powder-1tbsp
- Curry leaves – a sprig; finely chopped
- Coriander/Cilantro – a handful; finely chopped
- Tamarind puree – 1/2 cup
- Rasam powder – 2 tbsps
- Salt – to taste
- Jaggery – 1 tbsp
- Oil – 1 tbsp
Note: You could replace the onions with shallots or pearl onions. They make this sambhar taste even better!
To grind together:
- Freshly grated coconut – 1/2 cup
- Onion – 1 no (large-sized; cubed)
- Jeera/Cumin seeds – 2 tbsps
For the tempering:
- Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
- Asafoetida – a generous pinch
- Ghee – 1 tsp
Directions:
- Pressure cook the tur dal and tomatoes together (with adequate water), till the dal is softly cooked and set aside.
- In a wok, heat 1 tbsp oil and saute the onions on a medium flame till they are cooked tender.
- Add the tamarind puree, rasam powder, salt and jaggery. Also add the curry leaves and coriander, and let it boil on a medium flame for 15-20 minutes (A lovely aroma will fill the kitchen and the entire house by now, and your tummy will start preparing for the treat that will ensue soon!).
- Mash the cooked dal+tomato mixture and add to the wok. Let boil another 10 minutes. Add adequate warm water to adjust the consistency.
- In the meanwhile, grind together the ingredients mentioned (for grinding) to a smooth paste, with adequate water.
- Add the ground paste to the sambhar,chilli powder,salt and let it boil on medium for another 5 minutes, or till you see a frothy surface on the top.
- Prepare the tempering and stir in.
"Now the delicious mini idlis in sambar is ready to serve"