Last updated on April 26th, 2020
Vengaya sambar recipe with step by step photos. Onion sambar recipe known vengaya sambar in Tamil is one of the most popular sambar recipes in Tamil cuisine. Here is how to make onion sambar for rice, idli .
When I shared my south Indian Tamil style sambar recipe here, many readers asked me for this vengaya sambar recipe. Onion sambar is something I make at least once in a week, it is a staple and favorite at home. Though peeling pearl onions take some time, it is well worth it :).
These onions are so good for health, have a unique flavor and taste. Small onions suits best for sambar, chutney, uthappam recipes. You can very well make sambar with regular onions in the non availability of pearl onions.
To make onion sambar recipe, I have used homemade sambar powder. I never use store bought sambar powder so cannot particularly recommend a brand. We can though use any of your favorite sambar powder in vengaya sambar recipe. I have also heard from friend’s that MTR sambar powder is good enough. You can even make onion sambar with fresh sambar masala.
Serve vengaya sambar piping hot with rice, potato or raw banana roast,raita etc.
More sambar recipes
instant sambar, tiffin sambar, hotel sambar recipe, kadamba sambar.
Step by step vengaya sambar recipe or onion sambar recipe
1. Pressure cook toor dal until mushy and soft. Mash well and set aside. soak tamarind in warm water and take thick extract.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a pan. Add peeled pearl onions and saute for 2 minutes. Next add chopped tomatoes, if using and saute till mushy.
3. Once the onions are soft add sambar powder, turmeric powder and saute well till the raw smell goes off.
4. After a bit add tamarind extract and mix well. Add 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil.
5. Now add mashed toor dal and mix very well. Season with salt. Bring to a boil, add jaggery and then simmer for 5-7 minutes. Finally add coriander powder and mix well.
6. Tadka: In a small pan, heat 3 teaspoons oil. Temper with mustard seeds, dried red chili, methi seeds. Add to the sambar and mix well. Remove from flame, serve vengaya sambar with rice or dosa or idli.
Vengaya sambar recipe card below:
Vengaya sambar recipe, how to make onion sambar | Onion sambar recipe
Ingredients
- 25 pearl onions
- 1 to mato optional
- 1/2 cup toor dal cooked and mashed well
- Thick extract from a small lemon sized tamarind OR 2 tablespoons tamarind extract
- 2 tablespoons sambar powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- Salt
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- To temper:
- 3 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds/methi seeds
- 3-4 dried red chilies
Instructions
- Pressure cook toor dal until mushy and soft. Mash well and set aside. soak tamarind in warm water and take thick extract.
- Heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a pan. Add peeled pearl onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, if using and saute till mushy.
- Add sambar powder, turmeric powder and saute well till the raw smell goes off.
- Add tamarind extract and mix well. Add 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil.
- Add mashed toor dal and mix very well. Season with salt. Bring to a boil, add jaggery and then simmer for 5-7 minutes. Add coriander powder and mix well.
- In a small pan, heat 3 teaspoons oil. Temper with mustard seeds, dried red chili, methi seeds. Add to the sambar and mix well. remove from flame, serve vengaya sambar with rice or dosa or idli.
Notes
2. Do not boil the sambar long time after adding dal.
3.You can add drumstick, radish, capsicum along with onions
Nutrition
Mangala says
All time favorite Sambar here. I made it today too!