I am running out of ideas for my lunch box and it always seems to be only dal or Rice varieties. Long back, I used to pack rotis and sabjis too. But it got stopped since we decided to have rotis for dinner. Since anyway its going to be some sabji and roti, hubby dear can't manage another dose of this for lunch too. Now this puts me in great difficulty on what to think of. Of course, there is a fixed menu for Wednesday and Saturday, which happens to be rice varieties like Veg briyani or Puloa and Pulihora or Lemon rice. It can't get any more simpler ok.
Now its been ages since I have prepared Tomato rice, not sure why but somehow not able to get around preparing it. I like hot straight from stove types of tomato bath, and if it gets packed, the wetness gets settled and it becomes something else when I reheat. And hubby dear can't reheat at office. So this puts this dish off the menu completely. Now coming back to the question of having variety in the lunch, don't think I am going to talk about Tomato Rice, though for all the talk on that. Today its again going to regular sambar and poriyal. How boring! But I am planning to address that and come out with a different combi for lunch just to ensure to make it little more interesting to look forward to. Now lets get on to business.
Today's Lunch Box had
Vendaka Sambar ~ Lady's finger Sambar
Plain Rice
Beans Carrot Fry
Curd Rice.
Lady's Finger/ Okra/ Bendakaya Sambar
Preparation Time : 15 mins
Cooking Time : 15 mins
Ingredients Needed
Toor Dal - 1 cup
Lady's Finger/ Okra/ Bendakaya - 150 gms
Sambar Onions - 100 gms
Sambar Powder - 1 tsp
Tomatoes - 2 medium
Tamarind pulp - small lime size
Coriander Leaves - few chopped
Oil - 1 tbsp
Salt to Taste
Turmeric a pinch
For Seasoning
Mustard Seeds + Urud Dal + Fenugreek - 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves - few
Garlic - 4 pods
Method to Prepare:
Clean Toor Dal and pressure cook it with 2 drops of Oil and turmeric. This makes it cook fast. Keep it for 1 whistle. Remove and let it cool down.
Clean and wipe the Okra well. Then chop Okra into 4" long pieces. Heat a tawa or Kadai, fry it on hot tawa till its semi cooked.
Soak tamarind and extract pulp from it.
Soak Shallot (Sambar onions) for 5 mins, this way the skin comes out easily. Chop Onions and tomatoes.
Heat oil in a pan, add the seasoning ingredients. Then add chopped onions. Sauté till they are cooked, add tomatoes, Sambar powder. Cook till the tomatoes are soft. Add the semi cooked okra at this stage.
Then add the cooked toor dal, tamarind pulp. The dal should be well cooked. We usually mash with pappu guthi, which a long wooden stick like ladle.
Cook on high flame for 5 mins, then simmer for 10 mins till its cooked well. Garnish with coriander leaves.
Beans Carrot Fry
Ingredients Needed:
Beans & Carrot - 500 gms
Yellow Moong Dal - Handful
Green Chillies - 2 chopped
Turmeric powder a pinch
Mustard seeds + Urud Dal - 1/2 tsp
Curry Leaves few
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tbsp
Method to prepare:
Wash and trim the beans. Scrap the carrot skin and chop to fine pieces.
Par boil this in 1 cup of water along with Yellow moong dal.
Heat oil in kadai. Add seasonings items. Once they splutter, add curry leaves and green chillies. Fry well.
Then add the par boiled vegetables along with dal. Add turmeric pw and salt to taste. Mix well. Simmer it for 5 mins.
Hope you enjoyed!
vimmi says
Hi Sri,
Ur Dabba looks amazing. What u call boring becomes a tasty affair for us north indians bcos sambhar happens to be my fav. But I know what u mean. I am a stay at home mom and my hubby takes roti sabji to office. Its always a struggle to decide on what to make.
sagari says
if i show this lunch box recipes to my husbend means he will give a strong look at me i think u understand i am soo bad preparing lunch boxes lovely post thanks for sharing yummy combo
bindiya says
Simple and easy , but yes I agree everybody needs new ideas and something interesting (in the lunchbox!) to look forward to!
Padmaja says
Valli
I love you lunchbox options!! they are so simple yet so tasty!!! Have a great weekend
Siri says
Sri, I always look forward for ur LBS Series. Loved the Benkaya Sambhar. planning to make it today for dinner..:)
easycrafts says
All of my favourites together....am i also invited for lunch
Asha says
I am buying a air ticket to Chennai right now girl!:D
Richa says
wow! how can u call that boring??
3 diff veg and 2 dals in one meal, wowieee, will take ur dabba anytime 🙂
Suganya says
I get really hungry when I see your LBS and Viji's WEB. Even after having my breakfast 🙁
Kamini says
You never seem to run out of ideas! This is such a nice series (although for me all it entails is drooling at the computer!) - my lunch boxes never had anything like this in them!
Linda says
I wish you would come pack me a lunch like that, Srivalli! 🙂
renuka says
A wonderful thali spread and the vendakkai sambar will always taste good.An excellent blog Sri,the 'surprise ingredient' is being sent today Please acknowledge when you receive it
Srivalli says
ec, thank you..sure..come on
Asha, wow..I will be so glad!
vimmi, thanks for dropping by..glad you liked it
sagari, hhaah..thanks
bindiya, thank you..thats the tough part!
Richa, yeah at times it gets boring..thank you
Padmaja, thanks
Siri, Thank you!..feels good to know
Suganya, am so glad, nice to know
Kamini, glad you feel that way
Cynthia says
I'll be content and very happy with the lady's finger dal and rice 🙂
Siri says
Just to let u know dear, the Bendakaya Sambhar was a super duper hit today. It was so yummy, that the entire biig kadai of sambhar is done by just two ppl ( me and 'S'). Thanks soo much Srivalli. Looking forward for more such traditional, yet simple recipes dear!
- Siri
Srivalli says
Cynthia, yes that has a wonderful taste. Lady's finger gives a distinct taste!
Linda, would be glad to do that!
renuka, thanks for dropping by. Sure will let you know once I get it
Siri, so glad that you tried it and liked it. Thanks for letting me know
Some Kinda Wonderful says
I never thougth of putting okra (one of my most favorite veggies) into my sambar. I usually put spinach in it, or tomato, or leave it plain. This looks and sounds sensational!
RELATIONSHIP says
Hi,
i have saved ur blog as a bookmark.every morning i go thro' ur blog like newspaper to get inspiration n ideas for cooking.
hats off to ur great work.
i like the stories n narration u write for every dish. u r also inspiring me to put a blog with my experimental cookings.
if i start one will surely mail u for ideas.
have a grt life my friend...
saveetha