Vellarikkya Ulli Sambhar ~ Lemon Cucumber and Small Onion Sambhar

I contemplated a while before posting this recipe.I mean,Sambhar is something people make on a daily basis isn't it,what is new about it?So many blogs have recipes in detail about sambhar made from scratch and being in South India,I am sure every one of us grew up eating sambhar and we just need to put some known ingredients together and a delicious sambhar will be ready in minutes.

But like most of the bloggers I know,every new recipe is looked upon as a prospective blog post:)

At home,amma makes many different varieties of sambhar.It all depends on which vegetable is in stock at a given time.Sambhar made with ash gourd and pumpkin was/is my all time favorite.I love the tangy and sweet taste of it and when paired with dosa,it makes for a great combination making you forget how many dosas you eat.


It wasn't different this time when we were home.When I saw dosa for breakfast,I tried smelling the sambhar to make out the ingredients used.She kept me guessing till I got a taste of it.I loved the ulli sambhar+vellarikkya combo so much that it has become my new favorite.It tastes awesome with dosa and makes for a great side-dish with rice too!

Vellarikkya Ulli Sambhar


Ingredients


Vellarikkya/Lemon Cucumber/Dosakkaya - 1 medium sized,chopped into cubes
Ulli/Pearl onions - 1/2 cup,peeled
Toor dal - 1/2 cup
Tomato - 1 medium,chopped
Coriander leaves - 2-3 tbsp,chopped
Eastern Sambhar Powder - 2 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste


For the seasoning


Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Hing/asafoetida - 1/4 tsp


Method

Cook together vellarikkya,ulli and toor dal in a pressure cooker for 3-4 whistles(after the first whistle,simmer and cook for 3 more whistles).
Soak the sambhar powder in 1/4 cup warm water,reserve.

Open the cooker and add tomatoes,coriander leaves,sambhar powder and salt to taste and let it boil.
Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Prepare tadka in a pan using oil,splutter mustard seeds and add hing.Add the seasoning to the sambhar.
Garnish with some more coriander leaves while serving.

Notes

• The amount of vegetables to add in the sambhar depends on ones taste and preference.While amma added more of vellarikkya,I added more onions.
• I have used Eastern sambhar powder here,you can use your favorite brand.

Check out Konkani style Sambhar/Kolmbho,Ulli Sambhar and Varutharacha Sambhar too!