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Sambar Recipe: A Traditional South Indian Delight

Introduction

Sambar is a flavorful, nutritious, and aromatic lentil-based stew that hails from South India. It is an integral part of South Indian cuisine and is typically enjoyed with rice, idli, dosa, or vada. This dish is a perfect blend of lentils, vegetables, tamarind, and spices, making it both delicious and wholesome. 


Ingredients

To make a delicious sambar recipe you will need the following ingredients:

For the Lentils:

  • 1 cup toor dal (pigeon peas)

  • 2 cups water

  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Tamarind Extract:

  • 1 small lemon-sized tamarind ball

  • 1/2 cup warm water

Vegetables:

  • 1 small carrot (chopped)

  • 6-8 pieces of drumstick

  • 1 small brinjal (eggplant, chopped)

  • 1 small tomato (chopped)

  • 6-8 shallots or 1 small onion (chopped)

For the Spice Mix:

  • 2 tablespoons sambar powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (optional, for extra spice)

  • Salt to taste

For the Tempering:

  • 2 tablespoons oil (coconut or vegetable oil)

  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

  • 2 dried red chilies

  • 1 sprig curry leaves

  • A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

For Garnishing:

  • 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves (chopped)


Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Lentils

  1. Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under running water.

  2. In a pressure cooker or a deep pan, add the washed dal, turmeric powder, salt, and 2 cups of water.

  3. Cook until the dal is soft and mushy. If using a pressure cooker, cook for about 3-4 whistles.

  4. Mash the cooked dal using a ladle or a whisk and set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare Tamarind Extract

  1. Soak the tamarind in warm water for 10-15 minutes.

  2. Squeeze the tamarind to extract the juice and discard the pulp.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

  1. In a large pan, add 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil.

  2. Add chopped carrots, drumstick, brinjal, shallots, and tomatoes.

  3. Cook until the vegetables turn soft but not mushy.

Step 4: Add Spices and Lentils

  1. Add the tamarind extract to the cooked vegetables.

  2. Stir in sambar powder, red chili powder, and salt.

  3. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes so that the flavors blend well.

  4. Add the cooked and mashed lentils to the mixture.

  5. Stir well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Adjust the consistency by adding water if necessary.

Step 5: Tempering

  1. Heat oil in a small pan.

  2. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.

  3. Add cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves.

  4. Add a pinch of asafoetida and sauté for a few seconds.

  5. Pour this tempering over the sambar and mix well.

Step 6: Garnishing and Serving

  1. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

  2. Serve hot with steamed rice, idli, dosa, or vada.

Tips for the Perfect Sambar

  • Use fresh tamarind extract instead of store-bought tamarind paste for an authentic taste.

  • Adding a teaspoon of ghee while serving enhances the flavor.

  • Drumsticks give a unique flavor to the sambar, so try not to skip them.

  • Adjust the spice levels according to your preference.

  • If you don’t have sambar powder, you can make your own by dry roasting and grinding coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dried red chilies, fenugreek seeds, and coconut.


Variations of Sambar


  • Arachuvitta Sambar: This version includes freshly ground coconut-based masala instead of store-bought sambar powder.

  • Tiffin Sambar: A lighter version often served with idli and dosa, made with moong dal instead of toor dal.

  • Karnataka Style Sambar: Slightly sweet due to the addition of jaggery and ground coconut.

  • Kerala Style Sambar: Features a mix of vegetables and the aroma of coconut oil.


Conclusion

A sambar recipe is not just a dish; it’s an emotion for South Indian households. Its tangy, spicy, and aromatic flavors make it a favorite across India and beyond. With this step-by-step guide, you can prepare restaurant-style sambar at home and impress your family with your culinary skills. Enjoy this wholesome dish with your favorite accompaniment and savor the authentic flavors of South India!

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