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    Home » Breakfast

    Published: Nov 11, 2014 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Sambar: South Indian Lentil Stew

    Sambar is a word derived from Tamil, meaning spicy condiments. This traditional South Indian lentil stew is generally served with Idli, Dosa, Medu vada or sometimes even with rice. Every state in Southern India has it's own style of making this traditional chowder and the taste varies accordingly. Here is an easy to prepare sambar; that is spicy, tangy and hot.

    A simple stew made from boiled yellow pigeon peas (toor dal), drumsticks, bottle gourd and specialized Sambar Masala. A lot of variations to the traditional sambar are possible, right from adding vegetables like potato, eggplant or carrots; to stirring up a Mango Sambar!! Quickly make this lentil soup and serve it with Dosa or Idli for either breakfast or for dinner, along with some coconut chutney and Malga Podi.

    Ingredients

    Yellow pigeon peas 1 cup

    Drumsticks 5-6 pieces

    Onion ½ cup sliced thinly

    Tomatoes ½ cup cubed

    Bottle Gourd and Pumpkin ¼ cup diced

    Ginger 1 tablespoon minced

    Curry leaves

    Green chili

    Spices: Mustard seeds, Cumin seeds, Red Chili powder, Asafoetida, Turmeric powder, udad dal

    Salt, Sugar, Lime Juice

    Sambar Masala

    Cilantro 

    Method

    Wash a couple of times and pressure cook the pigeon peas with 1 ½ cup water and a pinch of salt. Also, pressure cook the drumsticks and diced bottle gourd and pumpkin. You can either cook them together with the pigeon peas or separately. Once completely cooked, remove the vegetables from the pigeon peas and set aside. Mash the pigeon peas thoroughly.

    In a thick bottom pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds. Once they pop, add asafoetida and cumin seeds. Next add green chilli, curry leaves, udad dal and minced ginger. Mix well. Add sliced onions and cook them on medium flame. Once done, add a spoon of sambar masala and mix well. Add the tomatoes and cook. Next, add the drumsticks, bottle gourd and pumpkin and let it cook for a couple of minutes.

    Once the vegetables are done, add the mashed pigeon peas and turmeric, chili powder and mix well. Adjust the water content to get the desired consistency and salt, sugar and lime juice to taste. Let the sambar boil for 10-12 minutes mixing intermittently. 

    Once boiled, turn down the flame and garnish with cilantro. Serve with idli, dosa, medu vada or with rice.

    Also try the tangy Tomato Dal Rasam.

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    This blog is dedicated to one of my greatest passions, Cooking. I have always loved to cook, especially trying out some unconventional recipes.

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