Idly - Sambar

Ingredients for Idly batter:

Idly rice - 4 cups

Whole Urad dal - 1 cup

Methi seeds - 1tbsp (optional)

Salt - to taste

Method:

Soak the rice and methi seeds seperately overnight. Soak the urad dal just half an hour before grinding. First grind urad dal and methi seeds to a smooth paste by adding required water. After it is well done, transfer the urad dal mix to a broad vessel. Next grind the rice nicely. Mix both together along with salt using your hands. Allow it to ferment for atleast 8-10 hrs or overnight. Prepare idlies the next day. The Idlies will come out very soft.

Note:

• Use cold water for best results
• You can even use ice cubes while grinding the batter.

Ingredients for sambar:

Mixed vegetables (potato, carrot, brinjal, drumstick etc ) - chopped

Small onion - a few

Tomato - 1 (chopped)

Ginger - 1 piece (chopped)

Garlic - 4 pods (chopped)

Tamarind juice - 1 tbsp

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Sambar powder - 1 tbsp

Toor dal / Moong dal - 1 cup (both will be good)

Salt - to taste

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Methi seeds - 1/4 tsp

Hing - 1/2 tsp

Method:

Pressure cook the dal till soft and keep it aside. Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, Methi seeds and hing. Add onions, tomatoes and fry for few minutes. Then add the mixed vegetables. Fry for another 5 minutes. Add the tamarind juice, turmeric powder and salt. Add required water and allow it to boil till the vegetables are cooked. Add the cooked dal and mix well. Allow to boil well and serve with hot Idlies / dosas.