How to make Sambar at Home

Sambar which is also spelled as sambhar or sambaar is a lentil based pure south india dish which is very popular dish and also served as an acompaniment with the perfect dish Dosa. Following is how to prepare sambar at your home in a very delicious way:

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup toovar (arhar) dal

2 drumsticks , cut into 3” pieces

1/2 cup bottle gourd (doodhi / lauki) cubes

2 tbsp oil

1 tsp mustard seeds ( rai / sarson)

6 to 7 curry leaves (kadi patta)

2 pinches of asafoetida (hing)

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

8 small shallots (madras onions)

2 1/2 tbsp tamarind (imli) pulp

3 tbsp sambhar powder

2 tsp chilli powder

of turmeric powder (haldi)

salt to taste

2 tbsp finely chopped coriander (dhania)

DIRECTIONS:


Wash the toovar dal thoroughly and drain.

Combine the washed dal and 2 cups of water in a pressure cooker and pressure cook for 3 whistles.

Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid.

Blend the dal using a hand blender till it is smooth and keep aside.

Combine the drumsticks and bottle gourd with 1 cup of water in a deep non-stick pan and cook on a 

medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes or till the vegetables are soft. Keep aside.

Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan and add the mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds.

Add the tomatoes, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally.

Add the cooked bottle gourd and drumstick, shallots, tamarind pulp, cooked dal, , salt, sambhar masala, chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and ¾ cup of water, mix well and bring to boil and allow to cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.

Cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.

Add the coriander, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute.
Serve hot.

Accompaniments:


Crispy Paper Dosa
Double Decker Idlis Stuffed with Potato and Chutney
Mini Idlis in Coconut Sauce
Quick Rice Dosa
Rava Dosa, Onion Rava Dosa
Sada Dosa
Semolina and Vermicelli Idlis
Spicy Tava Idlis