Main Course

Sambar

Posted by paisunayana on

Sambar is a south indian dal (lentil) based vegetable stew, that is usually served with Idli or dosa for breakfast, or served with white rice for lunch and dinner. I always use homemade sambar powder, I have posted the recipe in this blog earlier.

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ingredients:

  • Cooked tuvar dal- 1 C
  • Pearl onions/ Shallots- 10/15 (peeled & whole)
  • Drumsticks- 2 (slightly peeled and cut to about 2 inch pieces)
  • Okra (Bhindi)- 3/4 (cut to about 2 inch pieces)
  • Green Beans- 4/5 (cut to about 1 inch pieces)
  • Carrots- 1 small ( sliced thick and quartered)
  • Potatoes- 1 medium (big cubes)
  • Tomato- 1 large (cubed)
  • Tomato paste- 1 Tsp (optional)
  • Red onion- 1 small (chopped)
  • Tamarind pulp concentrate- 1 Tsp
  • Sambar powder – 2 Tbsp
  • Red chilli powder- 1 Tsp
  • Curry leaves- 1 large Sprig
  • Mustard seeds- 1 Tsp
  • Coconut oil- 2 Tbsp + 1 Tsp for tadka
  • Salt- to taste

Method:

  1. In a large saucepan heat about 1 Tbsp of coconut oil and saute the pearl onions, bhindi, green beans, carrots and potatoes. Fry them just a bit.
  2. In a large pressure cooker add the cooked tuvar dal, the fried vegetables, cubed tomato and drumsticks. Add sufficient water. Mix in the tomato paste if using and cook to 1 whistle. Switch off the heat.
  3. Once the pressure has decreased and you can easily open the cooker, add the tamarind pulp and salt and bring to a boil and switch off. Do not close the lid to build pressure while doing this.
  4. In the same large saucepan heat about 1 Tbsp of coconut oil, add the chopped red onions and fry them till they start turning brown, now add the red chilli powder and the sambar powder and fry till the sambar powder starts turning brown. Please make sure not to burn it. This should be done on a medium-low flame. To this add the cooked vegetable and dal mixture from the pressure cooker, mix well and bring the sambar to a boil. Adjust the salt accordingly.
  5. In a small tadka pan heat about 1 Tsp of coconut oil. Splutter mustard seeds, curry leaves and add this to the top.
  6. Enjoy with Idli, Dosa or white rice.

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