Authentic South Indian Sambar Recipe

Today we are learning famous Sambar Recipe in easy steps. Sambar is popular classic South Indian dish that made with lentil, vegetable, and spices for create a delicious and nutritious. You can taste it with breakfast, rice, idli, dosas or vada, sambar is best dish that pair with any your meal.

What is mean by Sambar ?

Sambar is a classic South Indian dish that made with lentil, vegetables, spices, sambar powder. Sambar is a first choice dish in South Indian homes and it also popular and loved all over Indians.

Basic sambar made with some vegetables, lentils, sambar powder, tamarind and some spices. A best sambar powder is makes your sambar tasty and good. You can use your favorite sambar powder or you can make sambar powder at home by using spices, chillies, and more items you can add according your taste and customize a best sambar powder at home.

Here is simple step-by-step guide to making a easy and delicious sambar recipe:-

Ingredients for Sambar Recipe:

For Sambar:

- Toor dal (split pigeon peas): 1 cup

- Turmeric powder: ½ teaspoon

- Tamarind: 2 tablespoons tamarind paste

- Mixed vegetables: 2 cups (e.g. carrots, beans, pumpkin, brinjal, or radish)

- Tomatoes: 2, chopped

- Green chilies: 2, slit

- Sambar powder: 2 tablespoons

- Asafoetida (hing): ¼ teaspoon

- Salt: taste as required

- Water: as your Requirement

For Tempering:

- Oil or ghee: 2 tablespoon

- Mustard seed: 1 teaspoons

- Curry leaves: 10-12

- Dry red chilies: 2

- Fenugreek seeds (optional): ½ tea spoon

For Garnish:

- Coriander leaves: 2 tablespoon (chopped)

• Instructions for Sambar Recipe:

Step 1: Cook Toor Deal:

1. Wash the toor dal: Rinse 1 cup toor dal under water 2-3 times until the water clear.

2. Cook the toor dal: Add washed dal to a pressure cooker with 2½ cups of water, add ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, and add a pinch of hing.

3. Mash the toor dal: When pressure is release, open that cooker and mash the all toor dal until smooth.

Step 2: Prepare Tamarind Pulp

1. Soak small sized ball of tamarind in ½ cup of warm water for 10-15 minutes.

2. Squeeze and extract the pulp, discarding the fibrous residue. If using tamarind paste, dilute 2 tablespoons in ½ cup of water.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

1. Chop the all vegetables: Cut all mixed vegetables (2 cup) into small sized pieces. Common vegetables include carrots, beans, drumsticks, pumpkin, and brinjal.

2. Cook vegetables: In a deep pan or pot, add the chopped vegetables, chopped tomatoes, slit green chilies, and 2 cups of water. Cook on medium flame until vegetables are cooked.

Step 4: Combine Dal and Vegetables

1. Add the mashed dal into cooked vegetables. Mix well.

2. Pour in the tamarind pulp and stir thoroughly.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of sambar powder, ¼ teaspoon of hing, and salt to taste. Mix well.

Step 5: Make the Sambar

1. Add 1-2 cups of water to adjust the consistency, depending on your preference.

2. Bring the mixture to gentle boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors for meld together.

Step 6: Prepare for the Tempering

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in small pan.

2. Add 1 teaspoons of mustard seed.

3. Add 10-12 curry leaves, 2 dry red chilies, and ½ teaspoon of fenugreek seeds (optional). Fry 10-15 seconds.

4. Pour tempering over the sambar mix well.

Step 7: Sambar is ready to Serve

1. Turn off heat and garnish the sambar with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

2. Serve your spicy and tasty sambar with steamed rice, idli, dosa, or vada.

• Tips and tricks for Perfect Sambar

1. Consistency: Adjust the thickness of sambar to adding more water. It should be neither too thick not too watery.

2. Vegetables: Use fresh and seasonal vegetables for best taste. You can customize the choice of vegetables thats suit your preference.

3. Tamarind: The tanginess of sambar depends on tamarind. Use the quantity as your taste.

4. Spice level: Increase or decrease the amount of sambar powder and green chilies based on your spicy level and taste.

5. Freshness: Use fresh sambar powder for authentic flavor & taste.

• Time Management for Recipe:

Prepration Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time for sambar: 45 minutes

Difficulty Level: Medium

• Some Types of Sambar:

1. Tiffin Sambar: A light version of sambar made that pair with idli and dosa, with few vegetables and a thinner consistency.

2. Kerala Sambar: This Sambar includes roasted coconut paste, gives it rich and unique flavor.

3. Instant Pot Sambar: You can prepare sambar an Instant Pot by pressure cooking dal, vegetables, and spices.

• Health Benefits of Sambar:

Rich in Protein: Toor dal is best source of plant-based protein, making sambar nutritious addition to vegetables.

High in Fiber: The mix of vegetables provides dietary fiber, aiding digestion.

Low in Fat: Sambar is naturally low in fat, makes a healthy and balanced option.

Rich in Antioxidants: The spices and tamarind in sambar are loaded with antioxidants.

• FAQs

Q1: Can I use moong dal instead of toor dal?

Ans: Yes, moong dal can used as a substitute. It gives a slightly different texture and flavor but is equally delicious.

Q2: How can I make sambar powder at home?

Ans: Roast and grind spices like coriander seeds, dried red chilies, cumin, fenugreek seeds, and curry leaves. Store the powder in an airtight container for freshness.

Q3: Can I freeze sambar?

Ans: Yes, you can store leftover sambar in the freezer for up to a month. reheat sambar before serving.

Conclusion

This easy sambar recipe is great way to enjoy a delicious and healthy South Indian dish. With its combination of protein-packed lentil, nutrient-rich vegetable, and aromatic spices, sambar is perfect for any occasion. Follow this recipe, and you’ll have a comforting bowl of sambar ready to serve your meal. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cook, this recipe is become a favorite in your kitchen.

All The Best !