SOUTH INDIAN SPICY SAMBAR WITH SHALLOTS

 

Shallots/Small red onions/Sambar Onions have a distinctive tapered shape which makes them look different from other members of the onion family. their flavor is so delicate. Shallots are a little sweeter than regular onions and have a more subtle flavor. Small Red Onions have lots of vitamins and minerals.

These sambar onions play a major role in the larger kitchens as well as in markets. These sambar onions are costly and are prepared on special occasions. Here is a traditional recipe of preparing sambar with these onions.

INGREDIENTS:

Toor dal

Tamarind

Sambar onions

Green chillies

Coriander seeds

Red chillies

Asafoetida

Channa dal

Fenugreek

Coconut

Oil

Mustard seeds

Curry leaves

Coriander seeds

Salt

Turmeric powder

PREPARATION:

Wash and cook toor dal along with green chillies in a pressure cooker

Soak tamarind and extract juice

Select and remove the outer skin of sambar onions and cook separately in a vessel.

Take a kadai. Pour oil, roast coriander seeds, red chillies, channa dal, and fenugreek till golden brown.

Allow it to cool and grind it along with coconut pieces.

Take a big vessel. Pour the tamarind juice, add salt and allow it to simmer for sometime.

Then add the grinded paste and mix well.

Allow it to cook for a while, then add cooked toor dal.

Add turmeric powder, asafoetida and curry leaves.

Mix well and finally add cooked sambar onions and allow it to simmer for sometime.

Add chopped coriander leaves.

Take a kadai, pour oil. Add mustard seeds when they crackle , pour it over the prepared sambhar.

Serve hot with White rice, ghee and a curry or Appalam.