Sambar – One of the quite essential south indian sidedish…In the recent days I have been getting many reader requests for posting the step by step method of how to make basic sambar…that too very specific in murugakkai sambar…though I have posted few other sambar recipes like arachuvitta sambar, tiffin sambar etc. In my cooking learning process, sambar didnt dispapoint me at all as it came out goodthough not perfect even for the first time.I think the sambar powder matters the most, ammas sambar powder is very popular among relatives and friends that everytime we pack to give it to them.Have you ever seen the outer wrapper of ashirwad sambar powder? Yes that was the inspiration for this click…Whenever I go to Nilgiris super market I stare at the wrapper and tell to myself….I will post the sambar recipe only if I am able to click like that…Hope I have done justice to it 🙂
Sambar Recipe – Ingredients
Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 20 mins | Serves : 2
Recipe Category: Sidedish | Recipe Cuisine: South Indian
Recipe Category: Sidedish | Recipe Cuisine: South Indian
Toor Dal – 1 cup
Small Onions – 15
Tomato – 1 big sized (or) 2 small chopepd roughly
Drumstick – 2 chopped
Sambar powder – 1.5 tbsp
Thin Tamarind extract – 1/3 cup
Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
Coriander leaves – just to garnish
Oil – 1 tsp
Salt – to taste
To temper:
Oil – 1 tsp
Ghee – 1/2 tsp(optional)
Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp
Urad Dal – 1/2 tsp
Fenugreek Seeds – 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves – 1 sprig
Hing – a generous pinch
Red Chillies – 2
Method:
- Pressure cook toor dal with a pinch of turmeric powder and enough water for 4-5 whistles or until mushy. Mash it well with a laddle,Set aside.In a kadai heat oil add onion, tomato saute till golden brown till tomato raw smell leaves.Then add drumstick and saute for 3mins.
- Then add the sauted items to toor dhal, add 1 cup water(adjust to desired consistency).Then add sambar powder and mix well to avoid lumps.
- Allow it boil in medium flame till the veggie gets cooked.Once the veggie gets cooked add tamarind extract and allow it to boil for a good 5-10mins till it reaches sambar consistency.Adjust salt at this stage.
- Heat oil – add the items under ‘to temper’ and transfer it to the sambar. Add chopped coriander leaves and switch it off.
Serve hot with rice and any poriyal of your choice. I served it with carrot poriyal.
My Notes:
- If you are using thick tamarind pulp then add just 1/4 cup.Always add tamarind extract only after the veggie gets cooked.
- Tempering at the last stage retains the flavour of the tempering for a long time.
- Smells and tastes good for 2 days if refrigerated. But heat it once inbetween cool down and then refrigerate.
- Boil well till the raw smell of the veggie as well as toor dal leaves.Switch off according to the thick consistency you prefer.
- I use homemade sambar powder which we grind in bulk.
Love drumsticks in sambar, they gives a wonderful flavor na,beautiful spread.
Very healthy and delicious sambar.
Cuisine Delights
"My Monthly Event – Spotlight: Show Your Best Creation "
My kids love this… Absolutely perfect
Event: Dish name starts with R till April 15th and a giveaway
Wow…sambar looks wonderful…
My favorite of all sambhar, gives a great flavor! Nice clicks
yum yum sambar
Nice clicks! May I know why we add tamarind extract at the end?
It gives a slight tanginess to the sambar, we usually add for any sambar
great flavour i love this sambhar recipe
Hey 250 ml container of toor dal uncooked is a big quantity. Is this necessary
It depends on the serving count….may be you reduce it to 3/4 cup if you feel its a big quantity for u
Wowwwwwwwwww… wonderful and flavorful sambhar… Looks inviting 🙂
Flavorful sambar, loved the way u made this, very new to me. nicely presented
my most fav sambar!!!! loved your clicks!!!
Sowmya
Ongoing Event – HITS – Diabetic Friendly
Ongoing Event + Giveaway – Italian Dishes
It's very famous in my place…drumsticks bring special flavour to the sambar
Simply awesome. adorable clicks!!
You had me at drumsticks! 🙂
flavorful sambhar…nice clicks
Wow ! Super flavored sambar, love this with Potato fry !
Flavorful sambar. Looks inviting.
beautiful clicks.. sambar looks so delicious..
I tried the sambar recipe yesterday night for dinner. It came out really well..
Made the sambar as per your recipe. Tasted very different from the regular sambars I make. It is very good. Thanks for sharing.
இன்று முயற்சி செய்தேன்(மனைவி இந்தியாவில் இருப்பதால்) எங்கோ சொதப்பி விட்டது. புளி அளவில் அதிகமாகிவிட்டது. 🙁
Oh good luck next time….
Hey Sharmilee, I am a great fan of your recipes, I keep surprising my wife with some fantastic food, and definitely for indian cuisines I refer your portal.
Why don't you plan for a app in Android and apple store.
We are there to support you.
Hi Sharmi, Instead of tamarind extract can I add lemon juice? If yes pls help me with the measurement
No no lemon juice cannot be a substitute for tamarind in making sambar…as the flavour is completely different..
yummy tummy sambar loved it
Hi sharmi. Came out very well..had the feel of mom's cooking
I dont have sambar powder…
In what ration should i add merchi powder and dhaniya powder(sambar for 2 people)????
Add 1 tsp chilli powder and 2 tsp coriander powder
Thanks for the receipe….Sambar came out soo well….
how much qty of tamarind have to be taken
Take a small lemon sized ball
Hi I tried out the recipe, it was really simply and easy to follow 🙂 Sambhar came out very tasty :)Thank you.
Hi sharmi, is that iron kadai??
Yes
Hi….
How much of onion can be used instead of shallots…?
HI
Pls send the measurements in grams also
Will post it in future