Idli with Ridge gourd sambar - Soft idli with sambar

Idli or Idly is a traditional breakfast in almost all south Indian homes. 

Idli is always taken with sambar and chutney. We have many varieties of chutneys, but most of us prefer onion+tomato chutney or coconut chutney.

This ridge gourd sambar is an excellent combination for hot idlies, which makes you forget your favorite chutneys. 

Ridge gourd goes well with moong dal (split yellow gram). So, moong dal is used for this sambar. 

Moong dal is one of the easiest dals to digest, which is rich in protein and iron. Sambar should be lighter in consistency when compared to regular idli sambar and it is easy to prepare. 

Ridge gourd is rich in dietary fiber and it is used for weight loss. The inner soft part is taken for sambar and the skin can be used to make thogayal. 

Sambar Preparation

Ingredients:

Ridge gourd - 1 medium sized 

(remove the skin and cut into pieces)

     

Moong dal - 1/4 cup   

Red chilies - 3                                  

Tomatoes - 2 small ones                

Onion - 2 nos                                    

Asafoetida - a pinch

Turmeric powder

Salt

Cooking Oil - 2 tsp

Curry leaves

Coriander leaves

Pressure cook moong dal.

In a kadai, add oil, splutter mustard seeds, add red chilies, asafoetida and then add onion. 

When the onion is slightly cooked, add ridge gourd. Stir it for a minute. Now add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, and salt. Let the tomatoes cook softly. 

Add a little amount of water and cover with a lid. Let all the ingredients mix well and boil for 2 minutes. 

Then add cooked and mashed moong dal. 

Add water such that the sambar is little lighter in consistency than the usual rice sambar. Do not add more water. If it is too watery, you will miss its taste. 

Garnish with curry leaves and coriander leaves.

Idli is a steamed food, that doesn't have fat and calories to increase our weight. I have narrated idli batter preparation in another post, which will be helpful for beginners to make soft idlies.