Onion Sambar | Quick & Easy Side Dish for Idli / Dosa

A day-to-day menu of most Indians is vegetarian and many Indians are in fact Lacto-Vegetarians. A little secret many Indians have not observed or non-Indians do not know is that Indian Food is mostly Vegan. Vegan Thursdays is a concept conceived by Priya, a well known food blogger and a dear friend. Every month, the first and last thursdays, we a group of food blogger will be posting a vegan recipe. Here I am with a simple side dish for Idli for my first entry to the Vegan Thursdays! 

If you are looking for a quick side dish for idli/dosa look no further. This is a simple and easy to make sambar with chickpea flour which is super tasty. Back home in India this sambar used to feature whenever we make idlis. Some steaming hot idlis dunked in this sambar... delicious!! 

Ingredients:
Chickpea flour / Besan / Kadala maavu - 3 tbsp heaped
Water - 3-4 cups
Onion - 1 cup - sliced thin
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp (Use 3/4 tsp if extra hot chilli powder)
Salt - to taste
Curry leaves - a few
Cilantro / Coriander leaves - a little
For Tempering:
Oil - 2 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Urad dhal - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

Method:
Mix besan with 1 cup of water such that there are no lumps. Add turmeric powder and set aside. Heat oil in a kadai and splutter the mustard seeds and urad dhal. When the mustard splutters add the curry leaves and asafoetida. Add the sliced onions and saute in medium high heat until the onions are soft. Now sprinkle the chilli powder and fry for a minute. Pour the besan mixture with the remaining water and allow it to come to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the raw smell of the besan disappears. Remove from heat and garnish with coriander leaves. This is a great side dish for Idli / Dosa.


I am taking a break from blogging for the next few weeks for my India trip. I have scheduled some posts though.. Keep visiting and supporting as always.