How To Make Easy South Indian Sambar | Homemade Sambar

South Indian Sambar | Sambaaru is a tasty vegan and gluten-free South Indian vegetable stew. The recipe slightly varies in different regions of India but the basic ingredients are more or less the same like lentils, mixed vegetables, sambar masala, and tamarind.

The important ingredient in making delicious sambar is sambar powder. Many people currently choose to buy or use sambar powder from a store. It may be found in any Indian store. It is simple to make your own sambar powder, which is healthier and you know exactly what goes into it.

Sambar goes well with Rice, Idli, or Dosa.

Which Lentils/Dal For Sambhar?

Toor dal is commonly used to make sambar. I use a variety of lentils. Experiment with varying proportions of different lentils such as chana dal, yellow split peas, toor dal, red lentils, and moong dal. I tried all of them and found them to be great. Why not try a variety of lentils for a change? They all give various nutrients.

Easy South Indian Sambar Recipe | Homemade Sambar

Sambar is one of the most popular recipes in every south Indian family. Sambhar is a vegetable stew or soup cooked with lentils, a range of vegetables, tamarind, and a variety of spices.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

For Cooking Dal

• 1/2 cup/100 gms Toor Dal Pigeon Pea / തുവരപ്പരിപ്പ്
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder മഞ്ഞള്‍പൊടി
• 2 Garlic cloves വെളുത്തുള്ളി
• 1 1/2 cup water

For Tamarind Pulp

• 1/3 cup Tamarind Water പുളി – small lime sized ball

Vegetables For Sambar

• 6 pieces Pumpkin, chopped മത്തങ്ങ
• 1 Drumstick, slightly peeled and cut in to long pieces. 8 pieces (മുരിങ്ങക്കായ്‌) /singi/shinga
• 1/2 carrot chopped
• 2 small egg plants / Brinjal വഴുതനങ്ങ, 9 pieces
• 1 Tomato തക്കാളി

For Gravy

• 1/4 Teaspoon Fenugreek Seeds / methi seeds
• 1/4 tsp Cumin Seeds
• 2 sprigs Curry Leaves കറിവേപ്പില
• 1/2 tsp Asafoetida Powder കായപ്പൊടി/hing
• 1 Large Onion or 10 Shallots ചെറിയ ഉള്ളി
• ½ Teaspoon Mustard Seeds കടുക്
• 2 Tablespoon Sambar Powder
• 1 Green Chilli പച്ചമുളക്
• 2 Dry Red Chillies ഉണക്കമുളക്
• 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Chilli Powder മുളകുപൊടി
• ½ tsp Coriander Powder മല്ലിപ്പൊടി
• 1 tsp Salt ഉപ്പ്
• 1/4 cup Coriander Leaves മല്ലിയില
• 2 tbsp Oil Any oil is fine, coconut oil / വെളിച്ചെണ്ണ

Instructions

 

Cooking Dal:

• Rinse 1/2 cup Toor Dal thoroughly.
• In a pressure cooker, combine Toor Dal, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1 1/2 cups water.
• Cook under pressure until tender (about 3 whistles). Let it cool, then mash and set aside.

Preparing Tamarind Water:

• Soak a small lime-sized ball of tamarind in warm water for 10 minutes.
• Mix well and strain the tamarind water. Set aside.

Preparing Vegetables:

• Cut all vegetables according to the ingredient list.

Preparing Sambar:

• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
• Add fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, dried chilies, curry leaves, and asafoetida. Stir for 10 seconds.
• Add sliced onions/shallots and green chili. Sauté until onions are soft.
• Add chopped tomatoes and sauté until soft.
• Add the prepared vegetables (carrot, pumpkin, drumstick, eggplant). Stir well.
• Add salt, turmeric powder, Kashmiri chili powder, and coriander powder. Sauté for 2-3 minutes over medium low heat. Stir often so it doesn't stick to the bottom.
• Stir in the sambar powder and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Add 1 cup water, cover, and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat.
• Uncover and add the tamarind pulp. Boil for 5 minutes.
• Add the cooked dal and mix well. Adjust seasoning if needed.
• Let it boil for another 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with rice or idli for a delicious South Indian meal. Enjoy your flavorful Sambar!

Notes

You can add any vegetables for the sambar, here are few common vegetables that go well with sambar. 

• Elephant Foot Yam (ചേന)
• Raw Plantain (നേന്ത്രക്കായ്‌)
• Pumpkin (മത്തങ്ങ)
• Yellow Cucumber (വെള്ളരിയ്ക്ക)
• Ash Gourd
• Drumstick (മുരിങ്ങക്കായ്‌)
• Snake Gourd (പടവലങ്ങ)
• Brinjal (വഴുതനങ്ങ)
• Carrot (കാരറ്റ്)
• Ivy Gourd (കോവയ്ക്ക)
• Long Beans (പച്ചപ്പയർ)
• Okra / Lady’s Finger (വെണ്ടയ്ക്ക)

Keyword sambar, sambhar, vegetable soup

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