Low Fat Sambhar Idli

Delight in the wholesome goodness of *Low Fat Sambhar Idli*, a comforting South Indian classic reimagined to be light yet flavorful. This recipe combines fluffy, steamed idlis made from a fermented rice and lentil batter with a hearty, spiced sambhar packed with protein-rich toor dal and colorful mixed vegetables. With only minimal oil and nutrient-dense ingredients like tamarind, fenugreek seeds, and aromatic curry leaves, this dish is an excellent choice for a low-fat, nutritious meal. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this balanced dish pairs soft idlis with a vibrant, tangy sambhar, creating a satisfying and nourishing culinary experience. A must-try for those seeking healthy, homestyle South Indian food!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Idli rice
• 0.25 cup Urad dal
• 0.25 cup Cooked rice
• 0.5 teaspoon Fenugreek seeds
• 0.5 cup Toor dal
• 1 tablespoon Tamarind
• 1 medium, chopped Onion
• 1 medium, chopped Tomato
• 1 cup, chopped Mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, potato)
• 1.5 tablespoons Sambhar powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Asafoetida
• 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 8 leaves Curry leaves
• 1.5 teaspoons or to taste Salt
• 3.5 cups Water
• 1 chopped Green chili
• 2 tablespoons, chopped Cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Wash and soak the idli rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds in water for at least 4-5 hours or overnight for the batter.

Step 2

Drain the soaked rice and dal mixture. Add it to a blender with cooked rice and grind to a smooth batter using minimal water.

Step 3

Transfer the batter to a bowl, add salt, and mix well. Set it aside to ferment in a warm place for 8-12 hours.

Step 4

After fermentation, if the batter is thick, add a little water to get a smooth pouring consistency.

Step 5

Grease the idli molds, pour the batter into each mold, and steam in an idli steamer or pressure cooker without the whistle for about 12-15 minutes.

Step 6

To prepare the sambhar, wash the toor dal and pressure cook it with 1.5 cups of water and turmeric powder until soft.

Step 7

Soak tamarind in half a cup of warm water, squeeze out the pulp, and set aside.

Step 8

In a large pot, heat 1 teaspoon of oil. Add mustard seeds, let them splutter, then add cumin seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida, and green chili. Sauté briefly.

Step 9

Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, followed by tomatoes and mixed vegetables. Cook for 5 minutes on medium heat.

Step 10

Add sambhar powder and salt, mix well, then add tamarind pulp and 1.5 cups of water. Simmer until vegetables are tender.

Step 11

Mash the cooked dal and add it to the simmering vegetable mixture. Adjust the consistency with water if needed and check seasoning.

Step 12

Simmer the sambhar for an additional 5-10 minutes, then garnish with chopped cilantro.

Step 13

Serve hot idlis with the sambhar and enjoy a low-fat, flavorful South Indian meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1976.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1649.2

Total Fat 8.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4907.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 343.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 51.1g	0%
Total Sugars 96.4g
Protein 59.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 552.9mg	0%
Iron 21.2mg	0%
Potassium 3066.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 4.4%

Protein: 14.2%

Carbs: 81.4%