Best 8 Sambar Recipes

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Sambar, a quintessential South Indian dish, is a flavorful and aromatic lentil-based stew that is a staple in many households. It is a hearty and comforting dish that is typically served with rice, idli, or dosa. Sambar is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of vegetables, lentils, and spices. The most common vegetables used in sambar are drumsticks, okra, tomatoes, and eggplant. Lentils such as toor dal and moong dal are commonly used, and the spice blend usually includes coriander, cumin, turmeric, and red chili powder. This article provides three different sambar recipes: a traditional sambar, a quick and easy sambar, and a sambar made in a pressure cooker. Each recipe offers a unique take on this classic dish, catering to different preferences and cooking methods. Explore these recipes to discover the diverse flavors and variations of this beloved South Indian delicacy.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SAMBAR



Sambar image

Lightly spiced lentils in a tamarind and coconut sauce, tempered with Indian spices. Serve hot with rice. Try it with other vegetables too, such as potato, cauliflower or okra. The ingredients should be available at any Indian market or at specialty stores. The tamarind pulp may be substituted with reconstituted tamarind paste.

Provided by NAGARAM

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup yellow split peas (tuvar dal)
2 cups water
½ cup tamarind pulp
½ cup water
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
1 ½ teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon yellow lentils (chana dal)
1 tablespoon unsweetened flaked coconut
2 dried red chile peppers
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 teaspoon cumin seed
¼ teaspoon asafoetida powder

Steps:

  • Place yellow split peas in a saucepan with 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until soft, about 15 minutes. In another saucepan, mix together the tamarind pulp stir in 1/2 cup water to make a watery juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and tomato to the tamarind juice, and continue to boil until the vegetables are soft, and the liquid has reduced to almost half.
  • Meanwhile, grind the coriander seeds, yellow lentils, coconut and chilies to a paste using a mortar and pestle or food processor. Add this paste to the tamarind sauce, then stir in the yellow lentils until everything is well blended. Bring to a boil once again, then remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat, and add the mustard seed, cumin seed, and asafoetida powder. Once the mustard seeds start to sputter and the mixture is fragrant, remove from heat and stir into sambar. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 306.4 calories, Carbohydrate 55.9 g, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 15.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 10.1 mg, Sugar 2.7 g

SAMBAR (SPICY LENTIL AND VEGETABLE STEW)



Sambar (Spicy Lentil and Vegetable Stew) image

A spicy South Indian vegetable stew. Enjoy with rice, roti, or as a soup.

Provided by Sunaina

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews

Time 1h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 17

6 cups water, or more as needed
2 cups toor dal (pigeon peas)
1 onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 cup peeled, chopped pumpkin
1 cup chopped okra
½ cup peas
½ cup sliced red radishes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
6 cloves garlic, sliced
4 dried red chile peppers
2 tablespoons dried curry leaves
1 tablespoon sambar powder
½ cup tamarind pulp
salt to taste
1 pinch red chile powder, or to taste

Steps:

  • Combine water, toor dal, onion, tomato, pumpkin, okra, peas, and radishes in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook until dal, pumpkin, and radishes start to soften, 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat and add mustard seeds. Stir in garlic, red peppers, curry leaves, and sambar powder. Cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir seasoned oil mixture into the stew and cook until flavors combine, 25 to 30 minutes more. Stir in tamarind, salt, and red chile powder.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 211 calories, Carbohydrate 35.1 g, Fat 6.4 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 108.3 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

SUBRU UNCLE'S DELICIOUS S. INDIAN SAMBAR VEG CURRY WE ALL LOVE



Subru Uncle's Delicious S. Indian Sambar Veg Curry We All Love image

This is a family favourite in this household! If I married a South Indian boy, I'd be eating this everyday along with a bowl full of hot rasam and rice! Mmm :-) I learnt to make this today from Subru uncle(he's been cooking for us for the past 13 years!). He's worked in several hotels here in Oman before he joined us. This curry is one he used to make a lot here and in India in the hotels and serve - it ALWAYS got a gold star! I'm so glad I have FINALLY got this down pat! We enjoy this with steaming hot rice for a complete wonderful meal. We take this to a lot of potluck parties and it always gets over quickly! I love having this with Recipe #17933). My house smells wonderful while this is cooking! Hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Provided by Charishma_Ramchanda

Categories     Curries

Time 1h45m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 22

4 teaspoons salt
2 1/4 tablespoons sambar garam masala powder (I use the MTR Madras Sambar Masala powder brand, that's the brand I love the best)
1 1/2 tablespoons asafoetida powder (known as "hing" in Hindi)
1 cup yellow lentils, cleaned, washed, soaked in plenty of water and drained (toor dal)
1 1/2 cups peeled washed and diced yams (known as "sooran" in Hindi)
1 small potato, peeled, washed and diced
5 -6 garlic cloves, peeled, washed and slit lengthwise (slit each clove of garlic into 3 parts lengthwise)
1 small carrot, peeled, washed and diced
1/2 cup flat indian beans, washed, ends trimmed and chopped into 1 inch size pieces (commonly called "guavar" in Hindi)
2 large vegetable drumsticks, washed, peeled, ends trimmed and chopped into 2 inch sized pieces
3 cups water
2 teaspoons turmeric powder
2 medium green chilies, washed and slit lengthwise
20 fresh curry leaves, washed and torn between the palms of your hands
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
5 -6 tablespoons oil
1 large tomatoes, washed, peeled and chopped
10 -12 okra, washed and chopped into 1 inch size pieces (commonly called ladyfingers or "bhindi" in Hindi)
5 whole red chilies
1/2 cup tamarind pulp or 1/2 cup tamarind juice
1 teaspoon methi seeds

Steps:

  • Prepare the tamarind pulp by first soaking a few pieces of tamarind in 1-1/2 cups of hot water.
  • Squeeze the tamarind pieces as well as you can and allow the tamarind pulp (juice) to mix into the hot water.
  • Once you have squeezed out half a cup, transfer this to a pot.
  • Note that the consistency of the tamarind pulp should be such that you have more tamarind pulp and less water.
  • Add the chopped ladyfinger to the pot.
  • Allow to boil for 5 minutes.
  • This is a neat trick Subru uncle's taught me.
  • By doing this, the sticky fluid that comes out of the ladyfinger will not come out.
  • Remove from heat and keep aside.
  • Now, take a large pot in which you will be preparing the sambar.
  • Heat the pot on medium-high flame.
  • Once its hot, pour 3 cups of water in it.
  • Add the drained toor dal (yellow lentils) and mix well.
  • Add garlic and mix well.
  • Allow it to boil well (for about 15 minutes).
  • Lower flame and add all the chopped and diced vegetables to the boiling lentils (toor dal).
  • Mix in turmeric powder, asafoetida powder, salt and Sambar masala powder.
  • Fold in the chopped tomatoes.
  • Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook until the tomatoes are softened and the veggies are tender.
  • In the meantime, prepare the seasoning.
  • For this, heat oil in a non-stick frying pan on medium-high flame.
  • Once it's hot, add mustard seeds, methi seeds and cumin seeds.
  • Allow to crackle and splutter.
  • Once this stops, add curry leaves, green chillies and whole red chillies to the pan.
  • Mix well and stir-fry for 2 minutes on medium flame.
  • Remove the pan from heat.
  • Add this seasoning to the sambar.
  • Mix well, cook on simmer for 5 minutes and serve this wonderful curry immediately (hot) with cooked long-grain Basmati white rice and low-fat plain yogurt, if required.

PRESSURE COOKER SAMBAR (INDIAN LENTIL CURRY)



Pressure Cooker Sambar (Indian Lentil Curry) image

An absolutely yummy, heart-friendly version of sambar (sambhar), an Indian lentil curry that contains a lot of fiber and very little oil, made in the pressure cooker. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Provided by Ambika

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

6 ½ cups water, divided
1 cup yellow lentils (tur daal)
1 cup chopped eggplant
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
salt to taste
1 tablespoon tamarind paste
2 teaspoons ground red chile powder
1 teaspoon vegetable oil, or as needed
1 whole dried red chile
4 curry leaves, or more to taste
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 pinch asafoetida powder

Steps:

  • Combine 4 cups water, lentils, eggplant, turmeric, and salt in a pressure cooker. Close cooker securely and place pressure regulator over vent according to manufacturer's instructions. Heat until steam escapes in a steady flow and makes a whistling sound, about 10 minutes. Adjust temperature until regulator is gently rocking. Cook for 3 minutes and remove from heat. Let pressure release naturally according to manufacturer's instructions, 5 to 10 minutes. Unlock lid and remove.
  • Add remaining 2 1/2 cups water, tamarind paste, and chile powder to the pressure cooker. Close cooker securely and place pressure regulator over vent according to manufacturer's instructions. Heat until steam escapes in a steady flow and makes a whistling sound, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Let pressure release naturally according to manufacturer's instructions, 5 to 10 minutes. Unlock lid and remove.
  • Combine oil, dried chile, curry leaves, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and asafoetida powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook until spices begin to sputter a bit, about 1 minute. Transfer spice mixture to the pressure cooker with the lentils. Season with salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 237.6 calories, Carbohydrate 41 g, Fat 2.4 g, Fiber 19.9 g, Protein 14.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 47.2 mg, Sugar 3.7 g

UDIPI SAMBAR



Udipi Sambar image

This is the recipe served in the famed Udipi restaurants (the exponents of Mangalorean cuisine worldwide) with dosas and idlis. Posted specially for a friend on request :)You do not need sambar powder with this recipe. Omit whichever veges you cannot find. You can make this without veges too :) Cooking and preparation time approx.

Provided by Girl from India

Categories     Vegetable

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 cup tuvar dal
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon Urad Dal
6 red chilies
1 1/2 tablespoons coriander seeds
5 sprigs curry leaves
1/4 coconut, grated
25 -30 shallots, cleaned and peeled. (small red onions called sambar onions in india)
1/2 teaspoon mustards seeds
1 pinch hing
2 green chilies
2 cups chopped into big chunks vegetables, of choice (brinjals, carrots, french beans, pumpkin, yam)
50 ml tamarind pulp (lemon sized ball of tamarind soaked in 1/3 cup of water.)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons jaggery or 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar, can be substituted i guess
oil

Steps:

  • Cook the tuvar dal till tender then mash.
  • Heat 1 tblsp oil in a heavy bottomed pan and roast the fenugreek seeds till light red, then add 1/2 tsp urad dal and let it saute till they change colour too.
  • Add the red chilli and coriander seeds.
  • Add a 3 sprigs of curry leaves and the grated coconut and roast.
  • They should all turn light brown and aromatic.
  • Cool and grind to a fine paste with a little water.
  • Heat 1 tblsp oil in a pan.
  • Add the mustard seed.
  • When they splutter add 1/2 tsp of urad dal and the hing.
  • Fry for a minute.
  • Add the onions and green chillies, slit and the rest of the curry leaves.
  • Add your choice of vegetables Fry till you get a nice aroma.
  • Add a little water.
  • Cover and cook till the veges are done.
  • Extract pulp from the tamarind and add to the vegetables.
  • Add salt and crumbled jaggery (you can use brown sugar i think instead) and cook till the raw smell of the tamarind disappears.
  • Add the mashed dal and the ground masala.
  • Mix weel and add a little water if reqd.
  • Simmer for a few mins.
  • Serve with dosas, idlis or rice.
  • And enjoy.

SAMBAR



Sambar image

A delicious South Indian dal (lentil) to be eaten with idlis or white rice. It is made of 'Tur' or 'Toor' dal available at Indian grocory stores. Black or brown mustard seeds are also available there.

Provided by reya doucette

Categories     Asian

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup toor dal
2 onions, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons coriander powder
1/4 teaspoon methi seeds, roasted and powdered (fenegreek seeds)
1/2 teaspoon hing (asafoetida powder)
1/2 teaspoon tamarind paste
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaf

Steps:

  • Boil dal in 1 1/4 cup water, turmeric and salt till soft like mush.
  • Add corriander, tomatoes, chilli powder, methi powder, hing, tamarind paste and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • In 1 tablespoon hot oil in frying pan put in mustard seeds till they pop. Add onions and fry five minutes add curry leaves.
  • Pour into dal and stir once.
  • Serve with idlis or white boiled rice.

SAMBAR



Sambar image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/2 cup thoor dhal or yellow split peas
1 1/4 cups water
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon tamarind concentrate
1 tablespoon hot water
1/8 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1/8 teaspoon ground asafetida
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon Sambar Spice Blend
1 large boiling potato, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh tomatoes
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1/3 cup cut green beans (1-inch lengths)
1 green chile, serrano, Thai or jalapeno, split lengthwise
5 to 6 sprigs cilantro
10 curry leaves or 2 bay leaves

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan combine thoor dhal or split peas, 1 1/4 cups water, and turmeric and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until very soft (about 45 minutes for split peas).
  • While dhal cooks, dissolve tamarind concentrate in 1 tablespoon hot water and set aside.
  • In a 3-quart covered saucepan over medium high heat, heat mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, and asafetida in oil until the mustard seeds begin to pop.
  • After the seeds have popped for a few moments, add 2 cups water, salt, spice blend, dissolved tamarind, potato, tomatoes, onion, green beans, green chile, cilantro and curry leaves and simmer over medium low heat until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
  • When dhal is cooked and completely tender, mash with a potato masher or back of a spoon 6 to 8 times, to break up roughly. Stir into cooked vegetable and spice mixture in saucepan and simmer for another 10 minutes. Add more water if necessary to attain a soupy consistency.

SAMBAR



Sambar image

A kind of vegetable soup served in South India, usually accompanying idli or masala dosa. This version has some *slightly* Americanized ingredient options, if you can't find the vegetables native to India.

Provided by PalatablePastime

Categories     Potato

Time 1h30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 cup toor dal (dried yellow split peas)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pinch asafoetida powder
2 cups water
2 tablespoons mustard oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/8 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
10 -12 curry leaves
4 small dried chilies
1 pinch asafoetida powder
1 cup yellow indian cucumbers (dosakai) or 1 cup English cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
1 cup vegetable drumsticks or 1 cup fresh asparagus, cut into finger lengths
1 small potato, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
1 tablespoon sambar masala seasoning (or more, to taste)

Steps:

  • Place toor dal, turmeric, salt, asoefetida and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until dal is cooked, adding water if it evaporates, for about 30-45 minutes.
  • Place tempering ingredients in a small saute pan and heat until curry leaves begin to sputter, then add to dal soup.
  • Mix tamarind paste with hot water and the strain through a sieve, pressing with the back of a spoon to get all the pulp.
  • Place ingredients for sambar in the pan with the soup and top up with water to cover. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender, adjusting water amount to your liking. If drumsticks are woody, discard them before serving.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your sambar.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different vegetables. Sambar is a great way to use up whatever vegetables you have on hand.
  • Be careful not to overcook the vegetables. They should be tender but still have a little bit of crunch.
  • Add tamarind paste to taste. Tamarind paste is what gives sambar its characteristic sour flavor. You can add more or less depending on your preference.
  • Serve sambar with rice, idli, or dosa. Sambar is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of accompaniments.

Conclusion:

Sambar is a delicious and healthy South Indian dish that is easy to make at home. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and flavorful sambar that the whole family will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give sambar a try. You won't be disappointed!

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