INDIAN SAMBAR Recipe | Lentil Based South Indian Soup Recipe

toor dal

🥗Healthier: moong dal

💰Cheaper: chana dal

Moong dal is lighter and easier to digest.

sambar powder

🥗Healthier: homemade spice mix

💰Cheaper: curry powder

Homemade mix allows control over spice levels.

tamarind

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lemon juice provides acidity with fewer calories.

mixed vegetables

🥗Healthier: seasonal vegetables

💰Cheaper: frozen vegetables

Frozen vegetables are often more affordable and convenient.

Rinse Ural lentils a couple of times in water and cook them.

Prepare sambar powder by roasting chickpeas, Ural lentils, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and 4 green chilies until fragrant.

Transfer roasted spices to cool.

Chop pumpkin, potatoes, shallots, carrots, and beans, and add to a pot with water and tomatoes.

Cover and simmer vegetables on high heat until tender, about 15-20 minutes.

Grind the cooled sambar powder into a fine powder.

Rinse cooked lentils and grind into a smooth paste, adding water if necessary for consistency.

Check if vegetables are cooked, then add half of the sambar powder and salt, simmer for another 3-5 minutes.

Add tamarind paste (1 to 1.5 teaspoons) to the stew.

Bring the stew to a boil again.

Prepare tempering by heating coconut oil, adding cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and a chili.

Add dried curry leaves and hing to the tempering, then pour into the stew.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary