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Sambar and Idli

Soft steamed idli cakes served with a warm, spiced lentil-vegetable sambar, finished with a swirl of coconut milk for richness. A comforting South Indian breakfast that's surprisingly quick to assemble.

Total time
20 min
Servings
2
Calories
320
Protein
12g
Sambar and Idli
comfortingindianveganvegetariangluten freedairy freelegumessoft

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces idli
  • ½ cup toor dal
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables
  • 2 tbsp sambar powder
  • ¼ cup coconut milk
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Rinse the 0.5 cup toor dal and pressure cook with 1.5 cups water until soft, about 10 minutes. Mash lightly.

  2. 2

    In a pot, add the cooked dal, 1 cup mixed vegetables, 2 tbsp sambar powder, 1 tsp salt, and 2 cups water. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Stir in the 0.25 cup coconut milk and simmer for 2 minutes until heated through. The sambar should be slightly thick and fragrant.

  4. 4

    Steam the 4 idli pieces according to package instructions, about 5 minutes, until soft and fluffy.

  5. 5

    Serve the hot sambar over the warm idli, with an extra swirl of coconut milk if desired.

Tools you’ll need

  • pressure cooker
  • pot
  • steamer

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