SOUTH INDIAN SAMBAR RECIPE - Without sambar powder

SOUTH INDIAN CURRY RECIPES

 Sambar is known to be the famous dish of South India, mainly Kerala. There are many versions in the preparation of Sambar and is different in different regions.  The choice of vegetables is based on personal likes and dislikes but it can be even prepared using a single vegetable. I am here sharing the recipe that tells you how to make tasty sambar without using ready-made sambar powder. 

INGREDIENTS

Onion                         - 1 , chopped

Tur dal/moong dal - half a cup ( i prefer less, can add a bit more)

Tomato                     - 1, chopped

Turmeric powder     - 1 tsp

Tamarind                 - a gooseberry sized  ball, soak in water

Chilly powder          - 1 tbsp

Coriander powder   - 1 tbsp

Oil

Salt

TO ROAST (roast till golden and once cooled grind to a fine paste)

Asafoetida               - 1 tsp

Fenugreek seed      - half tsp

Cumin seed            - half tsp

Urad dhal               - 1 tbsp

Coconut                  - half a cup

Garlic                     - 3 cloves

Oil                          - 1 tbsp

VEGETABLES ( u can add vegetables of your choice)

Bottle gourd            - half a cup, cubed

Carrot                     - 1 carrot, cubed

Beans                      - 8 nos, cut  2 inches, lengthwise

Lady's finger           - 5 nos, cut 1 inch lengthwise

Yam                         - cubed, as required

Drumstick                - cut lengthwise, as required

SEASONING

Mustard seeds          - half tsp

Dried red chilly        - 2 nos

Curry leaves

Oil

PREPARATION

• Cook chopped onion, moong dal, chopped tomato and turmeric powder along with half a cup water in the cooker until 1 whistle.
• Meanwhile roast the ingredients given under for roasting with 1 tbsp of oil, until golden.  Once cooled grind it with required water to a fine paste. Keep it aside.
• Now add the chopped vegetables to the cooker along with salt and required water. Let it cook with the lid open.
• In a pan heat 1 tbsp oil and add coriander powder, chilly powder and fry it for 2 minutes on low flame. Pour it over the vegetables in the cooker and mix well.
• After that add the tamarind water ( squeeze tamarind soaked in water and take the extract )to it. Cook for few minutes and then pour the roasted paste to it and cook until the vegetables done.
• Heat oil in a wok and splutter mustard seeds. Fry dried chilly and curry leaves for a while.
• Now pour the sambar into the wok and mix well for a minute. Switch off the flame.
• Serve with hot rice, idly, dosa...

Please find below a video of simple snack using bread