And this is all because my IIT Kanpur is better than your IIT Madras. Let me give my recipe and start the true sambhar war right in the earnest. Over the months, I have evolved my own recipe for onion sambhar, borrowing ideas from these stalwarts. Let me share it with you all. Move over, Mukund.
Small onions are available frozen in grocery stores.
Thaw them well in advance. If you can't find small onions, then slice about six or seven usual onions into long strips. Let it boil in medium heat. When fried enough to a pleasant smelling brown, add about 6 to 10 dry red chillies, depending on how wimpy you are. Then finally add the coconut pieces and fry for an extra minute or two.