Request: Sambar?

August 21, 2009

The boys just love Sambar with Idly in a bowl, but they said its tricky

to make. Does anyone have a recipe for this soup that I can make at

home? I can make the idly from a mix but have no idea how to make the

Sambar to go with it. Thanks...

August 21, 2009

Hi Robin,

I am Padma, originally from Southern India, where idly and sambhar reign

supreme. I have been meaning to post some authentic south indian

vegetarian/vegan recipes for a while now.. and guess I might as well start here!

Here's a simple recipe for sambhar that goes very well with idlies ( this one

needs a pressure cooker though.

Mix 1 cup tur dal, 3 pods of garlic, 3-4 green chillies( depending on how much

heat you want) and three tomatoes with about3 cups of water, pressure cook for

5-6 whistles (pressure cooker lingo!)

Dry fry 1 tsp tur dal, 1/2tsp coriander seeds. 2-3 red chillies (again dpending

on how much heat you want) and 1/4 tsp cumin seeds; and powder together. Add

this powder, salt as needed and a pinch of asofoteda to the pressure cooked

stuff and bring to a boil.

For the seasoning, heat 2tbsp of oil/ghee, when hot, add 1/2 tsp mustard seeds,

and 1 red chilly, curry leaves, allow to splutter and add to the boiling

sambhar. Garnish with coriander leaves.

If this is too involved and you can lay your hands on some sambhar powder, heat

1tbsp oil, fry 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped tomato, 2 green chillies (cut into

large chunks) with some salt and turmeric powder. When half cooked, add 1 tsp

sambhar powder and continue to saute. Disssolve 1tbsp of besan(chickpea flour)

in approx 1 cup of water and add to the cooked onion-tomato mixture and bring to

a boil and let thicken to a stew consistency.

If you've any questions, feel free to ask....enjoy!