Sambhar is a popular South Indian dish made with lentils,
vegetables, and a blend of spices. It is typically served with rice idli
(steamed rice cakes) or Medu wadas. Here's a basic recipe to prepare sambhar:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup tur dal (pigeon peas)
1 cup mixed vegetables (such as carrots, beans, eggplant,
pumpkin, drumstick)
1 onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 green chilies, slit lengthwise
1 tablespoon tamarind pulp
1 teaspoon sambar powder (available at Indian grocery
stores)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
For the sambar masala:
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
5-6 dried red chilies
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
Instructions:
Wash the tur dal (pigeon peas) thoroughly and pressure cook
it with 2 cups of water until it becomes soft and mushy. Set aside.
In a pan, dry roast the ingredients for the sambar masala
(coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried red chilies, black
peppercorns, and turmeric powder) until fragrant. Allow them to cool, and then
grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or blender. Set aside.
Heat oil in a large pot or deep pan. Add mustard seeds and
let them splutter. Then add cumin seeds, curry leaves, and asafoetida (hing).
Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
Add chopped tomatoes and green chilies. Cook until the
tomatoes become soft and mushy.
Add the mixed vegetables to the pot and cook for a few
minutes.
Add the tamarind pulp, sambar powder, turmeric powder, and
red chili powder (if using). Mix well.
Add the cooked tur dal (pigeon peas) to the pot along with 2
cups of water. Mix everything together.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to
medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the
vegetables are cooked.
Add salt to taste and mix well.
Finally, garnish the sambhar with fresh coriander leaves.
Your sambhar is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with rice,
idli, dosa, or any other South Indian dish of your choice.
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