Sambar (Vegetable and Lentil Stew)

Sambar is a flavorful South Indian lentil stew made with toor dal (pigeon peas), tamarind, assorted vegetables, and a special spice mix called sambar powder. It's tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies for added aroma and taste.

There are many different variations of making sambar (each one absolutely delicious), this is my version to make sambar for a quick and delicious meal.

Sambar is commonly served with a variety of South Indian dishes, including:

• Idli – soft steamed rice cakes (Recipe posted on blog Idli )

• Dosa – crispy fermented rice-lentil crepes (Recipe posted on blog for Masala Dosa )

• Vada – savory fried lentil doughnuts

• Uttapam – thick rice pancakes topped with vegetables (Recipe posted on blog for Masala Veggie Uttapam & Onion Uttapam)

• Plain or flavored rice – especially sambar rice (sambar mixed with rice and ghee)

Sambar (Vegetable and lentil stew)

Ingredients -

• Toor dal, Soaked and Rinsed, 2 cups

• Hing (Aesophotida) powder, 1/2 tsp

• Mustard seeds, 1 tbsp

• Cumin seeds, 1 tbsp

• Ginger garlic paste, 2 tbsp

• Red chillies, whole, 3

• Green chillies, 2, fine chopped

• Tamarind paste, 2 tbsp

• Red Onions, 1 medium sized, sliced thinly

• Tomatoes, 2, sliced thinly

• Cauliflower, florets, 2 cups

• Brinjal (Eggplant), 2 small, chopped roughly 1 inch cubes

• Potato, 1 small, riughly chopped small cubes

• Carrot, 1 large, chopped

• Sambar mix powder, 3 tbsp

• Turmeric, 1 tsp

• Salt, 4 tsp

• Water, 7 cups

  
  

Recipe -

1. Rinse and soak 2 cups of toor dal for about 30 minutes and then transfer to pressure cooker with 5 cups water, 1 tsp turmeric powder and 1 tsp salt. Pressure cook for 5 whistles on medium heat.

   Once done, turn off heat and let the pressure cooker sit aside to cool completely.

2. Put 2 tbsp oil in a saucepan on medium heat. Put in 1/2 tsp hing, 1 tbsp mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let it sputter.

   Immediately add red chillies, fine chopped green chillies and curry leaves to it.

   
   

3. Add in ginger garlic paste cook on medium heat for a few seconds. Then add in sliced onions and cook for around 5 - 6 mins until onions are slightly golden.

   Then, add in sliced tomatoes and cook for about 3-4 mins until tomatoes are softened.

3. Now add in chopped cauliflower florets, eggplant/brinjal, potatoes and add in chopped carrots with 1 cup water and 3 tsp salt. Cover and cook for 10-12 mins. Mix every 4 minutes making sure the ingredients do not stick to the pan.

   
   

4. Add in 3 tbsp of sambar masala and mix well. Cook for about 2 mins and then transfer in the cooked dal with 2 cups water, mix well and cover the lid.

   Let cook on medium heat for 8 minutes.

5. Add in 1/2 cup tamarind paste and mix well. Cook for another 10 mins on low heat and it is done.

   
   

   Serve with some hot steamed rice and papads or enjoy with south indian dishes like idlis, dosas, uttapams, appams.

   
   

   

   Happy Eating :D