20-Min Sambar with Store-Bought Idlis
Skip the idli grinding — use store-bought frozen idlis and build a quick, tangy sambar in one pot. Aromatic, warming, complete in 20 minutes.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 280
- Protein
- 10g
Ingredients
- 8 pieces frozen idlis
- 2 tbsp sambar powder
- ¼ cup yellow split peas (toor dal), rinsed
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrot, zucchini, or bell pepper, diced)
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 8 leaves fresh curry leaves
Instructions
- 1
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium pot over medium. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 2
Add curry leaves, then toor dal and diced vegetables. Stir for 1 minute to coat with oil.
- 3
Pour 2 cups water into the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes until dal softens.
- 4
Stir in sambar powder and tamarind paste. Simmer for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly, until the spices bloom.
- 5
Add frozen idlis to the pot and gently stir. Simmer for 2 minutes until idlis are heated through.
- 6
Taste and adjust salt and spice. Serve hot in bowls, ladle sambar over the idlis.
Tools you’ll need
- medium pot with lid
- wooden spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
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