How many calories are in one serving of Idli Sambar?

One serving of Idli Sambar (about 4 idlis and a bowl of sambar) contains approximately 420-480 calories, making it a substantial and balanced meal. The exact count can vary based on the amount of oil and vegetables used.

Is Idli Sambar healthy?

Yes, Idli Sambar is considered a very healthy meal. The idlis are steamed, making them low in fat. The fermentation process makes them easy to digest and good for gut health. The sambar is rich in plant-based protein from lentils and packed with fiber and vitamins from the vegetables.

Why are my idlis flat and hard?

Flat, hard idlis are usually caused by issues with the batter. Common reasons include: improper fermentation (too little or too much), over-mixing the batter before steaming, incorrect rice-to-dal ratio, or using old baking soda instead of relying on natural fermentation.

Can I make idli batter without a wet grinder?

Yes, you can use a high-powered blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec). The key is to grind the dal and rice separately and use cold water to prevent the blender from overheating the batter, which can kill the yeast needed for fermentation.

How can I make my sambar more flavorful?

To enhance your sambar's flavor, use fresh, high-quality sambar powder, add small onions (shallots), use ghee for tempering, and don't skip the asafoetida. Allowing the sambar to simmer on low heat for at least 10-15 minutes helps the flavors meld beautifully.

How long can I store the idli batter?

Once fermented, you can store the idli batter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The batter will become more sour over time, which some people prefer.

Idli Sambar Recipe

Ingredients

For 4 servings

2 cup Idli Rice

1 cup Urad Dal (Whole, skinned urad dal)

0.25 cup Poha (Thick variety)

1 tsp Fenugreek Seeds

3 tsp Salt (Divided use)

9 cup Water (Approx. 3 for batter, 6 for sambar)

1 cup Toor Dal (Also known as Arhar Dal)

0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder

25 g Tamarind (Seedless block)

2 cup Mixed Vegetables (Chopped; e.g., carrots, drumsticks, pumpkin, beans)

1 pcs Onion (Medium, chopped)

2 pcs Tomato (Medium, chopped)

3 tbsp Sambar Powder (Adjust to taste)

1 tsp Jaggery (Optional, for balancing flavor)

2 tbsp Ghee (For tempering)

1 tsp Mustard Seeds

0.5 tsp Cumin Seeds

0.25 tsp Asafoetida (Also known as Hing)

2 pcs Dry Red Chilli (Broken in half)

10 pcs Curry Leaves

3 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)

1 tsp Oil (For greasing idli plates)

Instructions

Prepare the Idli Batter (Requires 8-12 hours fermentation)

Rinse idli rice and urad dal separately until the water runs clear. Soak them in separate bowls with plenty of water for at least 6 hours. Add fenugreek seeds to the urad dal bowl.
Just before grinding, soak the poha in a little water for 15-20 minutes until it softens.
Drain the urad dal and fenugreek seeds. Grind them in a wet grinder or high-speed blender, adding about 1 cup of cold water gradually, until you get a very smooth, light, and fluffy batter. This should take about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
Drain the rice and grind it to a fine, slightly coarse texture, adding about 1 to 1.5 cups of water as needed. The texture should be like fine semolina.
Add the ground rice batter and soaked poha to the urad dal batter. Add 1.5 tsp of salt and mix everything thoroughly with your clean hands for a minute. This helps in uniform mixing and initiates fermentation.
Cover the bowl and place it in a warm, draft-free spot to ferment for 8-12 hours, or until the batter has doubled in volume and has a pleasant sour aroma.

Cook the Dal for Sambar (15 minutes)

Rinse the toor dal thoroughly. Place it in a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water and the turmeric powder.

A classic South Indian breakfast combo featuring soft, fluffy steamed rice cakes (idli) served with a flavorful, aromatic lentil and vegetable stew (sambar). It's a wholesome and satisfying meal perfect for any time of day.

This south_indian recipe takes 60 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 872.42 calories per serving with 34.8g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for breakfast or brunch or lunch or dinner.

Idli Sambar

Ingredients

Nutrition per Serving

Instructions

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About This Idli Sambar Recipe

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Recipe Variations

Rava Idli

Vegetable Idli

Tiffin Sambar

Different Vegetables

Health Benefits

Gut-Friendly and Easy to Digest

Balanced Macronutrient Profile

Rich in Fiber and Vitamins

Frequently Asked Questions