sambar recipe | sambar for idlis | South Indian sambar for dosas | easy homemade sambar recipe | with 30 amazing images.
sambar is a hearty South Indian lentil stew simmered with vegetables, tamarind, and a unique spice blend called sambar masala. This fragrant, flavorful dish offers a symphony of textures with soft lentils, crisp vegetables, and a tangy-sweet sauce. It's a comfort food enjoyed at any time of day, often served with rice or soaked-up with fluffy appams.
Like idlis and dosas, sambar is also an all-time favourite that is almost synonymous with South Indian food! From the smallest roadside hotel to the classiest Indian restaurants around the globe, ‘idli, Vada, Sambar’ is a very popular breakfast combo!
So, here is how to make the perfect sambhar to match the perfect Idlis / Dosas / Appe. Loaded with vegetables and dal, this flavourful side-dish is very sumptuous and tasty, leaving no doubt about why it is so popular.
You can relish it not just with the innumerable South Indian snacks and Breakfast dishes, but also with a plain bowl of hot rice topped with a dollop of ghee or laced with til oil.
The best part about sambar is that, while it tastes best when hot, it is quite enjoyable even after a few hours, so it can be carried to work, or prepared in advance on a busy day.
Main ingredients for sambar.
toovar (arhar) dal, also known as split pigeon peas or arhar dal, is the traditional and most common lentil used in making sambar. Toor dal has a mild, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor that blends well with the complex flavors of spices and other ingredients in sambar.
Sambar masala is the heart and soul of sambar, a South Indian lentil stew. This aromatic spice blend forms the flavor foundation of the dish, combining coriander seeds, cumin, fenugreek, chilies, and sometimes other spices, like black peppercorns and turmeric. It adds depth and complexity, balancing earthy lentils with the sourness of tamarind and sweetness of vegetables, while its enticing aroma whets the appetite and adds a touch of vibrant color to the stew.
Pro tips for sambar. 1. Add 1 cup red pumpkin (bhopla / kaddu) cubes. red pumpkin offers a gentle sweetness that complements the savory and spicy flavors of sambar. Red pumpkin readily absorbs the flavors of the spices and herbs used in sambar, contributing to the overall flavor profile. 2. Add 1/2 cup potato cubes. When cooked, potatoes contribute to the overall creaminess and richness of the sambar, especially when they are partially mashed or left to soften in the gravy. Potatoes add a mild, natural sweetness that balances the tanginess of tamarind or tomatoes often used in sambar. 3. Add 1/2 cup drumstick pieces (each cut into 2"). Drumsticks have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements the other spices and vegetables in sambar without overpowering them. Drumsticks are a common and well-liked vegetable in many parts of India, including South India where sambar originates. Using them in sambar reflects the regional cuisine and preferences.
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