SAMBHAR

Sambhar is normally made in every South Indian house daily.  It is also prepared by North Indians communities along with Dosa, Idli, uttappam etc.  It is a combination of certain vegetables boiled in tamarind pulp and tur dal boiled and mixed in it.  the masalas can be freshly ground or sambar powder you can use it. It goes well with Idli, Dosa, Uttappa and rice also.

Normally, I make sambhar with the sambar powder without coconut and tamarind  as we do not consume both  at all.  For arachuvitta sambar,  the masala is freshly ground along with coconut and added to sambar.

Let us look at the recipe now:


Ingredients.

1 drumstick cut into 1" long pcs
1/2 capsicum cut into small pieces
a small piece of ash gourd chopped
a small piece of red pumpkin chopped
2 tsp sambar powder
1/4 cup tamarind pulp (optional) instead you can use 1/4 tsp amchur powder (even without these two items sambar can be prepared)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 cup tur dal
1/4 cup tamarind pulp
1 tsp sugar or jaggery (optional)

Seasoning:

1 tsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
a pinch of asafoetida
few curry leaves

garnishing

chopped coriander leaves.

Method:

wash and pressure cook the tur dal with little turmeric powder and keep aside. wash the vegetables and cut it.  cook the same in tamarind pulp with turmric powder, salt,  We have to add 1/2 cup  more water in it to cook the same.  when it is almost cooked, mix sambar powder in water and add to the cooked vegetables. bring to boil.  mash the boiled dal, sugar and add to the sambar.  boil it. small kadai, heat oil, add the mustard seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves. when it is done add to the sambar, garnish with chopped coriander leaves. serve hot with dosa, idli, rice etc.

For Arachuvitta sambar ( Ground masala)

either you can grind the coconut along with the sambar powder and add to the cooked vegetables or

You can dry roast the following:

2 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp chana dal
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
less than 1/4 tsp methi seeds
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp black pepper
2-3 red chilli or chilli powder as per your spice requirement.
2-3 green chilli
3-4 shallots (small onions, sambar onions)
2 garlic cloves (optional)
4 tbsp grated coconut. (optional)
few curry leaves.
1 tsp oil

roast the chana dal  in oil and keep aside .  roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, methi seeds, pepper, mustard seeds and keep aside.  roast the red chilli.   saute the shallots garlic cloves, keep it with the fried items earlier.  roast the coconut also for few minutes along with the curry leaves.  when cools down grind together with water and add to the cooked vegetables.  add the boiled dal, bring to boil, season with the items mentioned and serve hot.

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