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Sambar is considered to be one of the most popular and nutritious South Indian dishes. The fun of having sambar with idli, dosa, meduvada or hot rice is different. The dal, vegetables, sourness of tamarind and aroma of special spices open up the flavor of sambar. If you use the right amount of vegetables and spices, you can make delicious sambar at home, just like a hotel. Know the vegetables, spices and its easy recipe for making sambar.

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Ingredients for making sambar

• Add 1 cup of toor
• 3 cups of water
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• Salt to taste
• Fenugreek pods
• carrot
• Pumpkin
• Eggplant
• Okra
• small onion
• 1 tomato
• tamarind
• 2 teaspoons of sambar masala
• A pinch of asafoetida
• 1 tsp mustard
• ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
• 2 dry red chillies
• 10-12 curry leaves
• 2 tbsp oil or ghee
• Coriander
• A little jaggery for taste

Step-by-step method of making sambar

First wash the toor dal and take it in the cooker. Add water, turmeric and little oil to it and cook for 3 to 4 whistles. When the dal becomes soft, mash it with a spoon or a fork and keep it aside. After this, add all the chopped vegetables and little water in a large pot and cook. Be careful not to make the vegetables too soft. Soak tamarind in water for some time and separate its pulp. Add this cabbage to the vegetables. Then add sambar masala, hing and salt and boil the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes. Now add cooked dal to this mixture and mix well. Add little hot water if the sambar seems too thick. Then let it boil on low flame for 5 to 10 minutes. Heat oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, red chillies and curry leaves. Once the mustard crackles, pour this paste over the prepared sambar. Finally add fresh coriander on top. Serve hot with sambar idli, dosa, vada or rice.

Special Tips for Perfect Sambar

• Covering the sambar for 15-20 minutes after making the sambar will enhance the flavor.
• If using okra, lightly saute it first to reduce stickiness.
• A little jaggery adds a nice balance to the sour and tangy taste.

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