Sambar Recipe
Recipe Summary
- This video demonstrates how to make a delicious and flavorful Sambar, a classic South Indian lentil and vegetable stew. The recipe involves pressure cooking toor dal, then adding a variety of vegetables, sambar masala, and tamarind, followed by a fragrant tempering of spices and garlic. It's a wholesome and aromatic dish perfect for a comforting meal.
All Ingredients - For Dal
- Soaked Arhad Dal (Toor Dal) 1 cup
- Water 2 cups
- Salt ½ tsp
- Turmeric Powder ½ tsp
All Ingredients - For Sambar
- Chopped Tomato 2 medium
- Chopped Pumpkin 1 cup
- Chopped Radish ½ cup
- Chopped Ladiesfinger ½ cup
- Drumstick 2 sticks
- Chopped Brinjal 1 cup
- Roughly Chopped Onion 1 medium
- Water 1 cup
- Sambar Masala 2-3 tbsp
- Water (for paste) ½ cup
- Tamarind Paste ½ cup
- Salt to taste
All Ingredients - For Tempering
- Oil 3 tbsp
- Crushed Garlic 6-8 cloves
- Red Chilli 3-4 whole
- Curry Leaves 1 sprig
- Mustard Seeds 1 tsp
Tools You'll Need
- Pressure cooker
- Pan
- Mixing bowl
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Tamarind paste?
- 1 tbsp lime juice + 1 tbsp brown sugar (per 1 tbsp paste)
- Pomegranate molasses (1:1)
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Curry leaves?
- 1 bay leaf + a pinch of lemon zest — Aroma only — flavor is unique.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Dal
Add 1 cup of soaked Arhad Dal (Toor Dal) to a pressure cooker.
Step 2: Add Water and Spices
Pour 2 cups of water, add ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp turmeric powder into the pressure cooker with the dal.
Step 3: Pressure Cook Dal
Cover the pressure cooker and cook on high flame until 2-3 whistles are released. Then, turn off the flame and let the pressure release naturally.
Step 4: Check Dal
Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and stir the cooked dal. It should be soft and slightly mashed.
Step 5: Add Vegetables
Add 2 medium chopped tomatoes, 1 cup chopped pumpkin, ½ cup chopped radish, ½ cup chopped ladiesfinger, 2 drumsticks, 1 cup chopped brinjal, and 1 medium roughly chopped onion to the cooked dal in the pressure cooker.
Step 6: Add Water and Mix
Add approximately 1 cup of water to the vegetables and dal. Mix all the ingredients well to combine.
Step 7: Cook Vegetables
Cover the pressure cooker again and cook on low flame for , allowing the vegetables to soften.
Step 8: Prepare Sambar Masala Paste
While the vegetables are cooking, take 2-3 tablespoons of sambar masala in a small bowl and mix it with ½ cup of water to form a smooth paste.
Step 9: Check Vegetables
After , open the pressure cooker. The vegetables should be tender.
Step 10: Add Sambar Masala and Tamarind
Pour the prepared sambar masala mixture into the cooker. Then, add ½ cup of tamarind paste and some salt to taste.
Step 11: Mix and Simmer
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Let the sambar simmer gently for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 12: Prepare Tempering
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a separate pan. Add 6-8 crushed garlic cloves and sauté until they turn light golden.
Step 13: Add Red Chillies and Curry Leaves
Add 3-4 whole red chilies and 1 sprig of curry leaves to the pan. Sauté until the curry leaves are fragrant and the chilies are slightly roasted.
Step 14: Add Mustard Seeds
Add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds to the tempering. Let them splutter.
Step 15: Combine Tempering with Sambar
Carefully pour the hot tempering mixture into the simmering sambar in the pressure cooker.
Step 16: Final Mix and Simmer
Stir the tempering into the sambar. Cover the cooker and cook on low flame for another to infuse the flavors.
Step 17: Serve
The Sambar is now ready to be served hot with rice, idli, or dosa.
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