Vegetable Sambar

Here's a classic recipe for "Vegetable Sambar," a staple in South Indian households. Sambar is a delicious dal stew made with a variety of vegetables and flavored with aromatic spices. It is typically served with rice, dosas, idlis, or vadas.

Prep time: 12–17 min
Cooking time: 35–45 min

Ingredients:

For sambar powder:

• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds

• 1 tablespoon chana dal 

• 1 tablespoon urad dal 

• 1/2 teaspoon methi seeds

• 4-6 dried red chilies (adjust to your spice preference)

• 1/2 teaspoon hing

For sambar:

• 1/2 cup toor dal, washed and soaked

• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, potatoes, drumsticks, etc.), chopped

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 medium tomato, chopped

• 1-2 green chilies, slit

• 1/4 cup tamarind pulp (soak tamarind in warm water and extract pulp)

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon jaggery

• Salt to taste

• A handful of curry leaves

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 2-3 dry red chilies

• A pinch of hing

• Chopped coriander for garnish

For tadka:

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

• A pinch of hing

• Few curry leaves

• 2 dried red chilies (broken)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

Prepare the sambar powder:

• Dry roast all the ingredients for the sambar powder in a pan until they turn fragrant and slightly browned.
• Allow them to cool, and then grind them into a fine powder. Set aside.

Prepare the sambar:

• In a pressure cooker, add the washed toor dal, turmeric, salt, and about 2 cups of water.
• Then put the lid on and pressure cook the dal over a medium-high flame for 1–2 whistles.
• Once cooked, switch off the flame and let the cooker depressurize naturally.
• Open the lid, mash the cooked dal, and set aside.
• In a cooking pot, heat oil over medium heat.
• Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies, and hing. Let them splutter.
• Add chopped onions and green chilies. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.
• Add chopped tomatoes, curry leaves, and sambar powder.
• Cook until the tomatoes turn soft.
• Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for a few minutes.
• Then add hot water and cover for 5-10 minutes.
• Now, add the tamarind extract and salt. Mix well and let it simmer until the vegetables are cooked through.
• Add the cooked dal and jaggery to the pot.
• Mix well and let the sambar simmer for about 10–15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

 Preparing tadka:

• In a small pan, heat oil for tempering.
• Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
• Add cumin seeds, hing, curry leaves, dried red chilies, and minced garlic. Sauté briefly.
• Pour the tadka over the prepared sambar and mix well.
• Garnish the sambar with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Your delicious vegetable sambar is ready to serve. It pairs perfectly with steamed rice, idli, dosa, or vada. Enjoy!