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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!