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
Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under running water.
In a pressure cooker or a deep pan, add the washed dal, turmeric powder, salt, and 2 cups of water.
Cook until the dal is soft and mushy. If using a pressure cooker, cook for about 3-4 whistles.
Mash the cooked dal using a ladle or a whisk and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare Tamarind Extract
Soak the tamarind in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
Squeeze the tamarind to extract the juice and discard the pulp.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
In a large pan, add 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil.
Add chopped carrots, drumstick, brinjal, shallots, and tomatoes.
Cook until the vegetables turn soft but not mushy.
Step 4: Add Spices and Lentils
Add the tamarind extract to the cooked vegetables.
Stir in sambar powder, red chili powder, and salt.
Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes so that the flavors blend well.
Add the cooked and mashed lentils to the mixture.
Stir well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Adjust the consistency by adding water if necessary.
Step 5: Tempering
Heat oil in a small pan.
Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
Add cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves.
Add a pinch of asafoetida and sauté for a few seconds.
Pour this tempering over the sambar and mix well.
Step 6: Garnishing and Serving
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
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!