Saucepans and Spices

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SAMBAR

Shilpa Anand

South Indian Cuisine

Sambar
With my Homemade Sambar Masala .
Sambar is a delicious thick lentil soup with Tuvar Dal , mixed vegetables, tamarind and a special spice powder called Sambar Masala.
Today I’ve made my own fragrant homemade Sambar Masala.
This healthy and nutritious South Indian Sambar is relished with Idlis, dosas, vadas and even with Rice.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE HOMEMADE SAMBAR MASALA:

  • 1 tbsp Chana dal

  • 1tbsp Urad dal

  • 1tbsp Coriander seeds

  • 1tbsp Cumin seeds

  • ¼ tsp Methi  seeds

  • ½ tbsp Mustard seeds

  • ½ tsp Black pepper

  • 2tbsp dry Coconut 

  • ½ tsp Hing

  • 3-4 dry red chillies

  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder 

  • Few  curry leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Dry roast all ingredients ( except Hing and turmeric powder ) in a pan for 3-4 mins on low flame until aromatic and colour of the dals change to golden

  • Switch off the flame and cool the ingredients

  • Transfer to a spice grinder 

  • Add Hing and turmeric powder 

  • Grind it to powder.

  • Your fresh aromatic Sambar Masala is ready 

PREPARATION FOR THE DAL

  • 1cup Tuvar dal 

  • Wash and soak dal for 10 to 15 mins 

  • Rinse and pressure cook the dal with 2 cups of water and salt. Cook on a medium flame for 4-5 whistles.

  • Cool and keep aside.

VEGETABLES FOR THE SAMBAR:

  • Tomatoes chopped

  • Onions  sliced

  • Shallots whole

  • Carrots chopped

  • Drumsticks small pieces

  • Pumpkin small pieces

  • Eggplant ( baingan) small pieces 

Other Ingredients

  • 1-2 tbsp of oil

  • 1tbsp mustard seeds

  • Handful of curry leaves

  • 2-3 dry red chillies

  • 1-2 tbsp Tamarind paste

  • 1tsp red chili powder 

  • ¼ tsp turmeric

  • Pinch of Hing 

  • Salt to taste

  • Sugar to taste 

PREPARE THE SAMBAR

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Heat oil in kadhai 

  • Add mustard seeds and wait for them to crackle

  • Add red chillies and Hing 

  • Add curry leaves

  • Fry for a min

  • Add sliced onions and fry for 1-2 min

  • Add all other vegetables 

  • Add little salt 

  • Fry for 2-4 mins on med flam

  • Add water 

  • Cover and cook the vegetables for 4-5 mins 

  • Now add turmeric and chilli powder

  • Add tamarind paste 

  • Fry for 1-2 mins

  • Add 1-2 tbsp of Sambar Masala 

  • Fry until oil separates from sides of kadhai

  • Now add the boiled Tuvar dal

  • Add shallots 

  • Add ½ to 1 cup hot water to the mixture

  • Cover and cook for another 10 to 15 mins on low flame

  • Your delicious Sambar is ready

  • You can adjust the water to your desired Sambar consistency

  • Garnish with coriander leaves