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SAMBAR | Classic South Indian LENTIL STEW With Vegetables| Sambar Recipe

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Recipe Information

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Video-Specific Recipe

Sambar

Cultural Context

Sambar hails from South India, where it is a staple in Tamil cuisine, often served with rice or idli. This lentil-based stew showcases a variety of vegetables and is flavored with tamarind and a unique spice blend. Traditionally, it is a communal dish enjoyed during festivals and family gatherings. Today, sambar has transcended regional boundaries, becoming a beloved dish throughout India and even in Indian restaurants worldwide.

IndianINmain
45 min
medium
4 servings
Servings4
1/2 cup toor dal
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups hot water
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
small onions
1/2 teaspoon asafoetida
1 chopped tomato
pumpkin
daikon radish
carrots
drumstick
frozen green beans
frozen eggplant
1/4 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons sambar powder
2 teaspoons jaggery
1 heaped teaspoon tamarind concentrate
2 tablespoons hot water
curry leaves
chopped coriander leaves
2 teaspoons ghee
dry red chilies

toor dal

🥗Healthier: moong dal

💰Cheaper: split peas

Moong dal is lighter and cooks faster, while split peas are more economical.

tamarind

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lemon juice offers a similar tanginess with fewer calories.

sambar powder

🥗Healthier: homemade spice blend

💰Cheaper: basic spices

A homemade blend can be healthier and more tailored to taste.

mixed vegetables

🥗Healthier: seasonal vegetables

💰Cheaper: frozen vegetables

Seasonal veggies are often fresher and cheaper.

1

Soak 1/2 cup of toor dal for about an hour.

2

Rinse the dal thoroughly before cooking.

3

In a pressure cooker, add the soaked dal, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 1/2 cups of hot water.

4

Cover and pressure cook for 15 minutes, allowing the pressure to release naturally after cooking.

5

Heat a pot over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.

6

Once the oil is hot, lower the heat and add 1 teaspoon of black mustard seeds, waiting for them to splatter.

7

Add 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds and 1/4 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds, being careful not to let the fenugreek seeds turn dark.

8

Add small onions and 1/2 teaspoon of asafoetida, frying until the onions soften.

9

Add chopped tomato and cook until softened.

10

Add hard vegetables like pumpkin, daikon radish, and carrots first, followed by green beans and eggplant later.

11

Add 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1/4 teaspoon of Kashmiri red chili powder (optional).

12

Add 1 1/2 cups of hot water and cover until the vegetables are half cooked.

13

Once half cooked, add 1/2 teaspoon more salt and then add the eggplant.

14

Cover until all the vegetables are soft.

15

Prepare tamarind by using 1 heaped teaspoon of tamarind concentrate mixed with 2 tablespoons of hot water.

16

Once the vegetables are soft, add the cooked dal to the pot.

17

Rinse the pressure cooker insert with a splash of water and add the tamarind mixture.

18

Add 2 teaspoons of jaggery for sweetness and the green beans.

19

Tear a few curry leaves and add them to the pot, covering on medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes.

20

After 6 minutes, heat 2 teaspoons of ghee in a pan for the final turka.

21

Add 1/4 teaspoon of mustard seeds and wait for them to crackle, then add 1/4 teaspoon of cumin seeds and dry red chilies.

22

Add a few more curry leaves to the hot ghee and transfer this mixture into the dal.

23

Add chopped coriander leaves and serve.

Cooking Techniques

boilingsautéingmixing

Equipment Needed

pressure cookerpotladlepan

Spice Level:

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dietary

vegetarianvegan

Also Known As

SambharSambharam

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