Get ready to spice up your life with a mouth-watering bowl of sambhar! This delicious lentil and vegetable stew is a favourite in the southern part of India, and it's easy to see why. Combining toor dal, tamarind juice, and a mix of aromatic spices creates a simply irresistible flavour. Plus, with various nutritious vegetables, sambhar is a meal that's good for you, too. Serve it with steamed rice, dosa, idli, or uttapam for the...
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Soak tamarind in hot water for 15-20 minutes.
Squeeze the soaked tamarind with your fingers in the bowl. Strain it through a sieve and keep the pulp aside to use it later.
Slice the onions and keep them aside.
Dice the tomatoes, chop the chilli and keep them aside.
Scrape and chop the drumsticks in 2-3 inches sticks and keep them aside.
Peel and cut the eggplant into small pieces and keep them aside.
Rinse dal in water 2-3 times and add it to a pressure cooker. Add water (3 cups), salt, turmeric and asafoetida.
Cover the lid and pressure cook the dal for 4-5 whistles on high heat. Turn off the flame.
Let the steam release on its own. Open the cooker's lid, stir it with a ladle, and keep it aside.
Dal can also be cooked in an Instant Pot.
Add dal, salt, turmeric, asafoetida and water to the pot and cook for 8 minutes on high pressure. Let the pressure release on its own.
Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed wok or a pot on medium to high flame.
Add dry red chillies, curry leaves and black mustard seeds. Let them crackle.
Add sliced onions and saute for 2-3 minutes till translucent and light pink in colour.
Add the diced tomatoes and green chilli and mix. Cook for 4-5 minutes till tomatoes turn mushy.
Add drumsticks and eggplant and mix.
Now add sambhar powder, desiccated coconut (optional), red chilli powder, kashmiri red chilli powder and salt. Mix nicely and cook for another minute.
Add the tamarind pulp. Add 2-3 tbsp of water and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Now add the boiled dal and mix. Add 1-2 cups of water (as required for consistency) and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and let the dal simmer on low flame for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally at intervals.
Check the seasoning, adjust to taste, and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Turn off the flame.
Serve hot with rice, dosa, idli or uttapam.
I have used homemade sambhar powder for this recipe. You can use any brand of store-bought sambhar powder.
I prefer unpolished toor/arhar dal as it tastes good and is rich in fibre and has micronutrients like potassium, iron and zinc.
Always use new tamarind for cooking sambhar for better flavour and tanginess.
To make Sambhar tangier, add more tamarind pulp or a tbsp of lemon.
Tamarind can be soaked overnight in water.
To make sambhar less tangy, lessen the quantity of tamarind as per your taste.
I prefer to use fewer vegetables in cooking sambhar. You can add vegetables like bottlegourd, okra, shallots, carrots, etc.
You can add less or more water to change the consistency of the sambhar. Adding too much water lessens the flavour and the taste.
You can add 1-2 tbsp of rice flour to thicken the consistency of Sambhar.
Fresh coconut can be used instead of desiccated coconut.
You can add a small piece of jaggery or sugar to balance the sourness of sambhar.
How do I cook sambhar using an Instant Pot?
To cook sambhar in an Instant Pot, rinse the toor dal and add it to the pot along with 3 cups of water, salt, turmeric, and asafoetida. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes and let the pressure release naturally. After that, follow the remaining steps of sautéing the vegetables and mixing in the tamarind pulp as per the recipe.
What vegetables can I substitute in sambhar for a different flavor?
You can substitute drumsticks and eggplant with other vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or even spinach for a different flavor profile. Just ensure that the vegetables you choose cook well and complement the spices used in sambhar.
How should I store leftover sambhar for later use?
Store leftover sambhar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to a month. Just make sure to reheat it thoroughly before serving.
What are some good side dishes to serve with sambhar?
Sambhar pairs beautifully with steamed rice, dosa, idli, or uttapam. You can also serve it with a side of coconut chutney or papad for added texture and flavor.
Is sambhar suitable for a vegan diet?
Yes, sambhar is naturally vegan as it is made with lentils, vegetables, and spices without any animal products. It's a nutritious and hearty option for those following a plant-based diet.
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