Gola(Unda) Sambhar

I am back again with another scrumptious recipe....!!!

Though slightly tricky to make, the unda sambhar is an instant favorite.

My grandma, Indira Ramarao(daughter of Koviladi Madhav Rao) married to C.H. Ramarao, whose authentic recipes I am sharing.

GOLA(UNDA) SAMBHAR

(medium spicy)

Ingredients:

1. Tur dal- 1 cup
2. Red chilli- 8 long
3. Green Chilli- 4 long
4. Asafoetida(Hing)-1/4 tsp
5. Coconut grated-1/3 cup
6. Rice flour- 1 tsp
7. Tamrind- big lime sized
8. Jaggery-1/2 tbsp
9. Mustard seeds-1/4 tsp
10. Curry leaves-1 stem
11. Turmeric Powder
12. Salt as per taste

Method:

• Soak the tamrind in water and take out the pulp. The tamrind water should be thin in consistency.
• Soak the tur dal in water for a minimum of 1 hour or more.
• Drain the tur dal and add the red chillies, green chillies, hing, grated coconut and salt. Grind these in a coarse and tight consistency.
• Add rice powder directly to this ground batter and mix evenly. Divide this batter in 80: 20 ratio. 
• Take the larger potion of the batter and mould it into small balls(gola or unda). Ensure that these balls are NOT pressed tightly.
• Then take a pressure cooker tray and grease it with oil. Place the prepared golas in it and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Keep aside.
• Add salt & haldi to tamrind water and let it cook for approximately 15 minutes.
• Add jaggery to the tamrind water and cook till jaggery dissolves.
• Add the golas or undas to the tamrind water and boil till the tamrind water seeps in. (Ensure that the golas are covered by the tamrind water. )
• Now add the remaining batter(gola batter) in tamrind water and mix evenly being careful not to break the undas or golas.
• On a low  flame continue to cook for 10 minutes or till you can smell the flavours. The gravy should only be slightly semi solid in consistency.
• In a separate pan heat oil and add curry leaves and mustard seeds and remove when the mustard splutters. Add this to the sambhar.
• Add this to the sambhar.

Gola(Unda) Sambhar is ready!!!

• It is important to follow the rice flour measurements as more of it can harden the golas and less of it can lead to it melting and being mixed in the sambhar.

Side Dish- To be eaten with papad

Eating Procedure-Add the unda sambhar to hot rice with ghee for best taste.