Sambar is a type vegetarian stew made with lentils and vegetables. This dish is from South India. Sambar can be made with lentils and a single vegetable or with a mix of vegetables.
In Kerala, sambar is made with mixed vegetables. Drumsticks are a key ingredient for sambar in Kerala. Drumsticks are rich in calcium, iron and vitamins. They purify blood and also help in digestion.
Here is a recipe for the mixed vegetable sambar. We use different vegetables, depending on the season. Drumsticks are a favourite. The other favourite vegetables are carrots, brinjals (eggplants), gourds, potatoes, onions, okra (ladyfingers), green mangoes & yams.
There is also a recipe for sambar powder on this website. You can find it under the “Spices” section in Recipe Categories.
Sambar can also be easily made in an Instant Pot. There is a video on my channel RelishDelish on YouTube for the Instant Pot Sambar Recipe. You can find the details of this method under Notes.
Ingredients
- Instant Sambar Spices: (can use 3 heaped tbsp. of sambar powder instead) -See Recipe Notes
- For Seasoning:
Instructions
- Wash and soak lentils in water for about 20 minutes.
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Wash, peel and chop veggies (except tomatoes and shallots/onions) into 1 inch long pieces. Chop tomatoes and slice onions separately.
- In a pressure cooker, add washed lentils (arhar dal), 3 cups water, chopped tomatoes and about 5 shallots. Bring to a boil, cover lid and cook for 5 whistles. After that, turn off the flame and let the pressure cooker cool completely.
- In a big pan, add 1 tsp. oil/ghee and add the potatoes and eggplant. Saute for 2 or 3 minutes, then add in the rest of the ingredients. Fry this for another 2 minutes and then add 1/2 a cup of water. Let it come to a boil.
- Now add in the sambar spices. If using sambar powder, then add 3 heaped tbsp. instead of the spices.
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Next, add the contents of the pressure cooker into the pan, along with 1 tsp. of tamarind paste and mix well.and mix well. Adjust seasonings. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Seasoning:
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Meanwhile, heat oil/ghee in a small saucepan. When the oil heats, add 1/2 tsp. each of mustard seeds, cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds. When the seeds start spluttering, add in the curry leaves and finely chopped shallots. Let the shallots turn dark brown. Then add 1/4 tsp. asafoetida and 2 dry chillies. Turn off the heat.
- Now add the seasoning ingredients to the simmering sambar. Turn off the heat and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Keep sambar covered for a few minutes before you serve.
Notes
1.In Kerala, they use coconut oil for making sambar, but using ghee or clarified butter is an excellent option too.
2. Take care that the vegetables are not over cooked.
3. I have given the spice ingredients for making an instant sambar, but if you have extra time, making sambar powder is well worth the effort. You can find the recipe for the sambar mix in the Recipes Category under the heading 'Spices' on my website https://relishdelish.ca/
4. Instant Pot Method:
Step 1
Wash a cup lentils and add it to the Instant Pot, along with 1/2 a tsp. turmeric, finely chopped tomatoes and about 3 cups water. Close the lid and set it to Pressure Cook mode for 15 minutes.
Step 2
After 15 minutes, turn off the IP, release the pressure completely and open the lid.
Step 3
Now change the setting to Saute mode and add in the vegetables and a little more water. Add salt to taste, and let the vegetables cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender but not fully cooked.
Step 4
Now add in the about 2 to 3 tbsp. of sambar powder and 2 tsp. tamarind paste. Let it be on saute mode about 5 to 10 minutes until vegetables are fully cooked.
Step 5
Meanwhile, for the tempering, heat about 1 or 2 tbsp. ghee/oil in small pan. When the ghee is hot, add in the red chilli, mustard seeds. Once the seeds splutter, add in the finely chopped shallots/onion and the curry leaves. Let the onions turn a golden brown, then add in the asafoetida. Turn off the gas.
Step 6
Transfer the tempering into the simmering sambar and give it a good mix.
Step 7
Turn off Instant Pot and garnish the sambar with finely chopped cilantro. Instant Pot Sambar is ready to be served.