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sambhar

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
Cook Time 40 minutes
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