Tiffin Sambar by Gayatri

Name: Tiffin Sambar
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: South Indian
Ingredients: 0.5 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas); 2 cups water; 0.25 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp refined oil; 12 small shallots (or 1 medium onion, chopped); 1 medium tomato, chopped; 1 small carrot, chopped; 1 small drumstick, cut into 2-inch pieces; 0.25 cup pumpkin; 1 medium Colocasia; 2 tbsp tamarind pulp; 1.5 tbsp oil or ghee; 1 tsp mustard seeds; 0.5 tsp cumin seeds; 0.25 tsp fenugreek seeds (methi); 2 dried red chilies; 1 pinch asafoetida (hing); 1 sprig curry leaves; 2 tsp sambar powder; 0.25 tsp turmeric powder; 1 to taste salt; 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves

Tiffin Sambar is a lighter, mildly spiced South Indian lentil-based stew typically served with idli, dosa, pongal, or vada. Unlike regular sambar, it has a thinner consistency and often includes a flavorful homemade sambar powder and soft-cooked vegetables like carrots, shallots, and tomatoes.

toor dal (split pigeon peas)

small shallots (or 1 medium onion, chopped)

medium tomato, chopped

small carrot, chopped

small drumstick, cut into 2-inch pieces

fenugreek seeds (methi)

chopped fresh coriander leaves

Calories

53.9kcal (2.69%)

Step 1

Wash the toor dal thoroughly.

Step 2

Pressure cook it with water, turmeric powder, a few drops of oil, and pumpkin pieces for 3–4 whistles or until very soft and mushy.

Step 3

Once cooled, mash the dal well until smooth.

Step 1

In a pan, heat oil.

Step 2

Add shallots and sauté for 2 minutes.

Step 3

Add chopped tomatoes, carrots, and drumstick, and sauté for another 2–3 minutes.

Step 4

Add water along with Colocasia and cook until vegetables are soft.

Step 5

Add tamarind extract and boil for 5 minutes to reduce the raw tamarind smell.

Step 1

Add the mashed dal to the cooked vegetables.

Step 2

Stir well and add sambar powder, turmeric powder, and salt.

Step 3

Add more water if needed to get a slightly thin, pouring consistency.

Step 4

Simmer for 5–7 minutes until everything blends well.

Step 1

In a small pan, heat oil or ghee.

Step 2

Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.

Step 3

Add cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, red chilies, asafoetida, and curry leaves.

Step 4

Pour this tempering over the simmering sambar and mix.

Step 1

Turn off the heat.

Step 2

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Step 3

Let the sambar rest for 10 minutes to enhance flavor.

Calories

53.9kcal (2.69%)

Use shallots for authentic hotel-style flavor.

Adjust tamarind to taste—tiffin sambar should be mildly tangy.

You can add a small piece of jaggery for a slight sweet note.

Can I use regular onions instead of shallots?

Yes, you can use regular onions, but shallots provide a more authentic flavor.

What can I serve Tiffin Sambar with?

Tiffin Sambar pairs well with idli, dosa, ven pongal, or medu vada.

Can I skip the tamarind pulp?

Tamarind pulp adds tanginess to the sambar, but you can substitute it with lemon juice if needed.

How do I make homemade sambar powder?

Homemade sambar powder typically includes roasted spices like coriander seeds, dried red chilies, fenugreek seeds, and lentils, ground into a fine powder.

Can I make this sambar ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it ahead of time. The flavors deepen as it rests, making it even tastier.

toor dal (split pigeon peas)

small shallots (or 1 medium onion, chopped)

medium tomato, chopped

small carrot, chopped

small drumstick, cut into 2-inch pieces

fenugreek seeds (methi)

chopped fresh coriander leaves

Calories

53.9kcal (2.69%)

Step 1

Wash the toor dal thoroughly.

Step 2

Pressure cook it with water, turmeric powder, a few drops of oil, and pumpkin pieces for 3–4 whistles or until very soft and mushy.

Step 3

Once cooled, mash the dal well until smooth.

Step 1

In a pan, heat oil.

Step 2

Add shallots and sauté for 2 minutes.

Step 3

Add chopped tomatoes, carrots, and drumstick, and sauté for another 2–3 minutes.

Step 4

Add water along with Colocasia and cook until vegetables are soft.

Step 5

Add tamarind extract and boil for 5 minutes to reduce the raw tamarind smell.

Step 1

Add the mashed dal to the cooked vegetables.

Step 2

Stir well and add sambar powder, turmeric powder, and salt.

Step 3

Add more water if needed to get a slightly thin, pouring consistency.

Step 4

Simmer for 5–7 minutes until everything blends well.

Step 1

In a small pan, heat oil or ghee.

Step 2

Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.

Step 3

Add cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, red chilies, asafoetida, and curry leaves.

Step 4

Pour this tempering over the simmering sambar and mix.

Step 1

Turn off the heat.

Step 2

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Step 3

Let the sambar rest for 10 minutes to enhance flavor.

Calories

53.9kcal (2.69%)

Use shallots for authentic hotel-style flavor.

Adjust tamarind to taste—tiffin sambar should be mildly tangy.

You can add a small piece of jaggery for a slight sweet note.

Can I use regular onions instead of shallots?

Yes, you can use regular onions, but shallots provide a more authentic flavor.

What can I serve Tiffin Sambar with?

Tiffin Sambar pairs well with idli, dosa, ven pongal, or medu vada.

Can I skip the tamarind pulp?

Tamarind pulp adds tanginess to the sambar, but you can substitute it with lemon juice if needed.

How do I make homemade sambar powder?

Homemade sambar powder typically includes roasted spices like coriander seeds, dried red chilies, fenugreek seeds, and lentils, ground into a fine powder.

Can I make this sambar ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it ahead of time. The flavors deepen as it rests, making it even tastier.

Tiffin Sambar

Stuck mid-recipe?

Ingredients

For Pressure Cooking Dal

Vegetables

For Tempering

Spices

Garnish

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

53.9kcal (2.69%)

Protein

2.7g (5.4%)

Carbs

6.9g (2.5%)

Sugars

0.8g (1.6%)

Healthy Fat

1.6g

Unhealthy Fat

0.6g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

How to make Tiffin Sambar

Cook the Dal

Cook the Vegetables

Add Dal and Spices

Tempering

Garnish & Serve

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

53.9kcal (2.69%)

Protein

2.7g (5.4%)

Carbs

6.9g (2.5%)

Sugars

0.8g (1.6%)

Healthy Fat

1.6g

Unhealthy Fat

0.6g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

FAQS

Tiffin Sambar

Stuck mid-recipe?

Ingredients

For Pressure Cooking Dal

Vegetables

For Tempering

Spices

Garnish

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

53.9kcal (2.69%)

Protein

2.7g (5.4%)

Carbs

6.9g (2.5%)

Sugars

0.8g (1.6%)

Healthy Fat

1.6g

Unhealthy Fat

0.6g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

How to make Tiffin Sambar

Cook the Dal

Cook the Vegetables

Add Dal and Spices

Tempering

Garnish & Serve

Want to keep this recipe for later? We can email it to you!

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories