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Simple Sambar

There is nothing as such to talk about Sambar, a typical South Indian staple. So yes, let's get straight into my Sambar.
Ingredients:
1)Toor Dal - 1/2 cup
2)Tomato - 1(chopped)
3)Small Onions or Shallots - 4(cut into 2 halves)
4)Green Chilli - 1(slit)
5)Drumstick - 1(cut)
6)Carrot - 1(chopped)
7)Curry leaves - a sprig
8)Okra - 3(cut)
9)Tamarind pulp - size of small lemon(soaked in lukewarm water for 15 minutes)
10)Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
11)Sambar Powder - 1.5 tsp (I used Shakti Sambar Powder)
12)Ghee - 0.5 tsp
13)Oil - 1 tsp
14)Salt - to taste
15)Asafetida - a pinch
16)Mustard and Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp each
17)Whole red chilli - 1(crushed) - Optional

Preparation:
1)Soak dal in water for 30 minutes.
2)In a pressure cooker, add dal, small onion, green chilli, tomato, carrot, turmeric powder, salt, asafetida and add required amount of water.(Let it cook for 4 whistles)
3)Heat oil in a pan, add mustard, cumin seeds, crushed red chilli, curry leaves and saute for couple of seconds.
4)Add the cut okra and saute until it cooks.
5)Add the content from the pressure cooker and mix well. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
6)Add Sambar Powder and mix well. Let it cook for 2 more minutes.
7)Add tamarind water and mix well. Let it cook for 2 minutes. Add half tsp of ghee and mix well.

Sambar goes very well with rice, dosa and idli. But, I don't mind having phulkas with Sambar.

Comments

  1. Navaneetham KrishnanApril 18, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    There may not be much to talk about sambar but its one of those we need consistently. Being Indians, its hard to detach sambar and its nice to walk through your version. I am all in for simple recipes because I can see the outcome of the simplicity, good to taste and great for rice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pavithra RApril 18, 2013 at 7:49 AM

      Yep, very true Nava - cannot live without sambar or dal.
      Very light and always a welcome recipe.

      Delete
  2. Beena.stephyApril 18, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    looks delicious sambar

    ReplyDelete
  3. JulieApril 18, 2013 at 5:06 PM

    flavorful sambhar,love it with steaming rice or idlis too:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pavithra RApril 18, 2013 at 6:35 PM

      Thanks Julie, yes they go well with rice, idli and dosa

      Delete
  4. bhawna bagriApril 18, 2013 at 8:48 PM

    adding ghee is new for me...looks delicious...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pavithra RApril 19, 2013 at 7:10 PM

      Ghee taste too good with sambar.
      Thanks Bhawna.

      Delete
  5. Dhanish KumarApril 18, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    Vegetable sambhar looks delicious. I do prepare the same sambhar, but I don't add ghee. After marrying my DH,I learned it from my mil.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pavithra RApril 19, 2013 at 7:11 PM

      Thanks Dhanish. Yes, try adding ghee - it tastes good.

      Delete
  6. Sugar et alApril 19, 2013 at 2:17 AM

    You are so right my friend...there is nothing to talk about when the picture is worth a thousand words. Your picture has evoked so many memories of my Bangalore Sundays when we had breakfast outside. I miss the South Indian fare a lot..my mouth is watering at the thought of it:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pavithra RApril 19, 2013 at 7:12 PM

      Thanks Sonali.
      Indeed Bnaglore sunday's in Hallimane or adigas with masala dosa , chutney and sambar - Haa!! Heaven.

      Delete
  7. Nilu AApril 19, 2013 at 2:50 AM

    Simple and best sambar... Loved the recipe Pavithra .. Very easy and doable... Tempting :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. ReniApril 19, 2013 at 6:12 AM

    very simple & delicious ! I simple love sambar with Ghee :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. ChitzApril 19, 2013 at 6:33 AM

    Simple & fabulous... Even with Shakthi Masala, getting a sambar right is an achievement for me :D Loved ur easy version :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pavithra RApril 19, 2013 at 7:13 PM

      Thanks Chitz.
      To be very honest with you, I actually liked your authentic version better, any day.

      Delete
  10. Nithu BalaApril 19, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    Delicious.nice click. Glad to follow you. Do visit my blog when you get time. Participate in my blog's event and giveaway

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pavithra RApril 19, 2013 at 7:19 PM

      Thanks Nithu!
      There is a whole lotta stuffs in your blog. Nice to get to know.
      Happy to follow you too, Nithu!

      Delete

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