Authentic South Indian Sambhar Recipe

Sambhar is a flavorful and nutritious South Indian dish made with lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices. It is a staple in South Indian households and is best enjoyed with idli, dosa, rice, or vada. If you are looking for the perfect dal sambar recipe, you’ve come to the right place!

Ingredients

For the Dal

• 1 cup toor dal (pigeon pea lentils)
• 3 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste

For the Vegetables

• 1 small drumstick (cut into pieces)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin (cubed)
• 1/2 cup carrots (chopped)
• 1/2 cup brinjal (cubed)
• 1 small tomato (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
• 1 teaspoon jaggery (optional)

For the Sambhar Masala

• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 3-4 dried red chilies
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons grated coconut (optional)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon red chili powder
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

Steps

Step 1: Cook the Dal

1. Rinse the toor dal thoroughly and soak it for 15-20 minutes.
2. In a pressure cooker, add the dal, turmeric powder, water, and salt. Cook for 3-4 whistles until the dal is soft.
3. Mash the cooked dal and set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Authentic Sambar Masala Recipe

1. Dry roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, dried red chilies, black peppercorns, and grated coconut in a pan.
2. Once aromatic, let them cool and grind them into a fine powder. This is your homemade sambhar masala.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

1. In a large pot, add the chopped vegetables, tamarind pulp, jaggery, and a little water.
2. Cook until the vegetables are soft and tender.

Step 4: Combine Everything

1. Add the mashed dal to the pot with vegetables and mix well.
2. Add the prepared sambhar masala and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
3. Adjust the salt and spice level as needed.

Step 5: Tempering

1. Heat oil or ghee in a small pan.
2. Add mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves, dried red chilies, and asafoetida.
3. Pour this tempering over the sambhar and mix well.

Serving 

Your flavorful dal sambar recipe is now ready to serve! Enjoy it hot with steamed rice, idli, dosa, or vada for an authentic South Indian experience.

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Let me know if you’d like any modifications! 😊