Kerala Sambar

Simple but extremely Tasty Sambar Recipe. Use store-bought sambar masala powder or try out my homemade Sambar Masala Recipe.

Check out the Intro page for more details, links and video.

Ingredients:

You can use other vegetables like ( wintermelon, pumpkin, yam, eggplant etc). Above I have listed my favourite combination. Do not add too many pieces though.

Method:

1. Add the tur dal to a small pressure cooker. Rinse the dal well and pour out the water.
2. Add  2 1/2 cups of fresh-water. Pressure cook till you hear the 3rd steam whistle. Set aside without opening the cooker, allowing it to cool on its own.
3. Prep remaining ingredients now. Add the tamarind pulp to a small bowl and cover with the boiled water. Mash lightly with a fork and set aside, to soften.
4. Slice the onion, carrot, drumstick, tomato, and plantain into sambar-sized pieces ( small cubes or thumb-length according to the vegetable being used).
5. Heat the coconut oil in a  heavy-based wok. Add the mustard seeds and allow them to pop.
6. Next, add the cumin seeds, and when fragrant, add the curry leaves and dried red chilies.
7. When they are bright in color add a very small piece of the compounded asafoetida directly into the oil. It will melt through. You can add some more, later if you need to.
8. Add the onion and saute till softened.
9. Once onions are soft, add the tomato and lady’s fingers and saute for 2 minutes on low, whilst stirring.
10. Now, open the cooled cooker and add all the contents (cooked dal and its liquid) into the wok. Also, add all the remaining chopped vegetables at this stage. You can do a tasting, and also add a small amount of extra asafoetida if needed.
11. Bring to a boil, and add salt to taste(1tsp). Also, add the sambar masala powder. Add about 3 Tbsp of the prepared Sambar Masala powder.
12. Strain the tamarind solution and add 3 -4 Tbsp of the thick solution, according to taste.
13. Stir well and bring to a boil once again.
14. Simmer till all the vegetables are tender. About 2-3  minutes.
15. You can add boiled water as needed if you need to loosen the consistency.
16. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves ( chopped ) and serve hot with rice, dosa idli etc..

Kerala Sambar

Notes:

• Sambar tends to thicken upon cooling or sitting a while, Simply add boiled hot water as needed and add some salt if needed.
• 

  Varutharacha Sambar! Mixed Vegetable and Dal Potage with coconut taste

• 

  Homemade Sambar Masala (with Video)

Sambar:  Vegetables, Dal, Tamarind, Asafoetida, Oil, Spice.

EAT AND TELL!!!

Let us know if you tried – Kerala Sambar