India the land of species and good and spicy food.The first recepie that i have for you all is idlli-sambhar.It belongs to the south of india.It is considered one of the key foods of any south indian family.

Ingredients for Idli:

Rice-2 cups Urad Daal (white)

1 cup Salt-1

1/2 tblsp Baking Soda

 A pinch Oil-for greasing

Method

Pick, wash and soak the daal overnight or for 8 hours. Pick, wash and drain the rice. Grind it coarsely in a blender. Grind the daal into a smooth and paste. Now mix the grinded rice and daal together into a batter. Mix salt and set aside in a warm place for 8-9 hours or overnight for fermenting. Idlis are ready to be cooked when the batter is well fermented. Grease the idle holder or pan well and fill each of thm with 3/4th full of batter. Steam cook idlis on medium flame for about 10 minutes or until done. Use a butter knife to remove the idlis.

Ingredients for Sambhar:

1 drumstick, cut into 4 pieces

1 potato, peeled and cubed

 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp (imli)

1 cup toovar dal (arhar)

1 tomato

 chopped 1 onion

chopped 2 brinjals

salt to taste

For the Sambhar Masala

1 tablespoon toovar dal (arhar)

 1 tablespoon split Bengal gram (chana dal)

1 tablespoon split black gram (urad dal)

1 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)

1/2 teaspoon asafoetida (hing) 6 to 8 red chillies

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi)

1 teaspoon oil

For the Tempering

1 teaspoon mustard seeds 6 curry leaves

1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)

2 tablespoons oil

Method:

For Sambhar Masala

Heat the oil and roast all the ingredients for the sambhar masala in it.

Grind to a fine paste in a blender using a little water. Keep aside.

For Dal

Wash and pressure cook the dal, tomato, onion, brinjals, drumstick and potato with 2 cups of water.

Then add the tamarind pulp, sambhar masala, salt and 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Prepare the tempering by heating the oil and frying the mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida until the mustard seeds crackle. Add this to the sambhar and simmer for 15 minutes.

Serve hot !!!