Varutharacha Ulli Sambar is a typical Kerala style Sambar recipe that best goes with everything, Rice, Dosa, Idli. Especially for Sambar Idlis, it tastes divine :). When Idli is had with this Sambar without much hindrance topped with ghee and freshly chopped coriander leaves is a bliss.

Varutharacha Ulli Sambar Pictorial Directions:

Name: Varutharacha Ulli Sambar
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1/2-3/4 cup tur dal; 1/4 cup shallots; 2 nos green chillies; 1/4 tsp turmeric powder; a pinch asafoetida; 1 1/2 tbsp grated coconut; 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds; 3 dry red chilly; 1 spring curry leaves; a pinch fenugreek seeds; 1/2 tsp cumin seeds; 1 large tomato (roughly chopped); 1 gooseberry size tamarind; salt (to taste); 1 tsp mustard seeds; 1 dry red chilli; 1 spring curry leaves; 1 tsp chopped corinader leaves

Pressure cook tur dal, shallots, green chilly, turmeric powder and asafoetida with enough water to 3-4 whistles. Mash them slightly.

take shallots, dal and turmeric powder in a cooker

add asafoetida

green chillies and water required and cook until mashed.
Heat little oil in a kadai, saute grated coconut, coriander seeds, red chilli, curry leaves, fenugreek seeds and cumin seeds. Roast them till coconut turns reddish brown. Taste of the sambar is in how much you roast the coconut. Stop it when it is brown as in the pic. Too much it browns it will get the bitter taste. Grind it to a smooth paste.

roast all ingredients

add curry leaves

roast till it turns brown
To the cooked dal mixture, add roughly chopped tomatoes, the ground masala, tamarind water and salt. Add water to adjust consistency and give it a boil.

add chopped toamtoes

Add turmeric extract

Add ground masala and salt
Season with crackled mustard seeds and red chilli. Top it with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

season it

Varutharacha Ulli Sambar Recipe:

Print Recipe