Accompaniments Added May 19, 2025

Ingredients

For the sambar

• 2 tbsp toor dal
• 2 cups diced vegetables (potato, carrot, beans, drumsticks, chow chow/chayote). Drumsticks enhance the flavor.
• 7-8 small onions, peeled
• 1 small tomato, quartered
• 2-3 spoons tamarind juice (adjust based on sourness)
• 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 to 1.5 tbsp sambar masala (adjust based on spice preference)

For the tadka (seasoning)

• 2 tsp cooking oil
• 0.5 tsp mustard seeds
• 2-3 pinches hing (asafoetida)
• 5-10 curry leaves

For homemade sambar masala (optional)

• 2 tbsp coriander seeds (dhaniya)
• 8 Salem red chilies + 2 Byadagi red chilies (shriveled)
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 tbsp Bengal gram dal
• 0.5 tbsp urad dal
• 0.25 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp black pepper
• A few curry leaves

Homemade sambar masala (optional)

1. Dry roast each ingredient separately in a pan.
2. Coarse grind and store in an airtight container.
3. Use approximately 1 to 1.5 tbsp in the sambar, based on spice levels.

Method

1. Cooking the dal & vegetables

1. In a pressure cooker, add:
   • Washed toor dal
   • 2 cups water
   • Diced vegetables
   • Quartered tomato
2. Close the lid and pressure cook for 3-4 whistles (about 10 minutes on medium flame).

(Alternatively, cook the dal and vegetables separately and then combine.)

2. Boiling the sambar

1. Transfer the cooked dal and vegetables to a pot and bring to a boil.
2. Add:
   • 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
   • Tamarind juice
   • Salt
   • Sambar masala (store-bought or homemade)
3. Stir well and allow it to boil for another 5-10 minutes.

3. Seasoning (tadka)

1. Heat 2 tsp cooking oil in a small pan.
2. Add:
   • 0.5 tsp mustard seeds
   • Hing (asafoetida)
   • Curry leaves
3. Let the mustard seeds splutter.
4. Pour the seasoning into the sambar and mix well.

4. Final adjustments

• Check the taste and adjust salt or spice if needed.
• Serve hot with rice, idli, dosa, or vada.

Storage & usage

• Best consumed on the same day, for optimal freshness.
• Can be refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Reference video

For a visual representation of the steps, watch this video. The recipe in the video is a different, simpler variation.

Watch on YouTube ↗

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