Sambar Recipe | Authentic South Indian Sambar Recipe (step by step)

Sambar is a popular South Indian dish that is made using lentils and vegetables. It is a staple food in the Southern regions of India and is consumed as a main dish with rice, idli, dosa, vada or any other South Indian breakfast items. Sambar is not only delicious but also very nutritious as it is loaded with vegetables, protein from the lentils and a mix of flavorful spices. In this article, we will look at an authentic South Indian sambar recipe that you can easily make at home.

Ingredients:

For the Sambar Masala:

• 2 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 4-5 dry red chillies
• 1 tsp turmeric powder

For the Sambar:

• 1 cup toor dal
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, eggplant, okra, pumpkin, drumstick, etc)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chillies, slit
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tsp jaggery or sugar
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as required
• Coriander leaves, for garnishing

For the Tadka:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp urad dal
• 1 tsp chana dal
• 2-3 dry red chillies
• A pinch of hing (asafoetida)
• Curry leaves

Instructions:

1. Firstly, rinse the toor dal with water and soak it in water for 30 minutes. This will help the dal cook faster.
2. Heat a pan and dry roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, black pepper and dry red chillies until they turn fragrant and slightly brown. Add turmeric powder and roast for another minute. Let the mixture cool down and then grind it to a fine powder using a mixer grinder.
3. Pressure cook the toor dal with 3 cups of water and a pinch of turmeric powder for 5-6 whistles. Once the pressure releases, mash the dal with a ladle or a whisk.
4. Heat oil in a pan and add the chopped onions. Saute till they turn translucent.
5. Add the mixed vegetables, green chillies and salt. Mix well and cook for 5-6 minutes.
6. Add chopped tomatoes and cook till they turn soft and mushy.
7. Add the ground sambar masala, tamarind paste and jaggery/sugar. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
8. Add the mashed toor dal to the vegetable mixture and mix well. Add water to adjust the consistency of the sambar. Bring the sambar to a boil and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
9. In a separate pan, heat oil and add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal, chana dal, dry red chillies, hing and curry leaves. Let them splutter and add this tadka to the sambar.
10. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or any South Indian breakfast item of your choice.

Tips:

• You can use any vegetables of your choice in the sambar. Make sure to chop them into bite-sized pieces.
• If you do not have tamarind paste, you can use lemon juice as a substitute.
• Adjust the quantity of water as per your preference for the consistency of the sambar.
• To make the sambar spicier, you can add more red chillies or increase the quantity of black pepper in the sambar masala.
• Adding jaggery or sugar to the sambar balances the sourness from the tamarind and enhances the overall taste of the sambar.
• If you don't have access to fresh vegetables, you can use frozen vegetables instead.
• You can also add a small piece of ginger while sautéing the onions for added flavor.

Conclusion:

Sambar is a healthy and delicious South Indian dish that is packed with the goodness of lentils and vegetables. This authentic South Indian sambar recipe is easy to make at home and can be customized as per your taste preferences. Serve it hot with rice or any South Indian breakfast item of your choice and enjoy a flavorful meal.