Traditional Sambar Recipe

Sambar is a traditional lentil recipe, a vegetable stew or soup which is a staple in almost all South Indian households. A perfect blend of lentils, vegetables, and Indian spices! It is a healthy, protein-packed, flavoursome stew that is served with any kind of meal whether it's in a tiffin, ( with idlis/dosas/uttapams/upma) lunch or dinner. It is a good source of protein for vegetarians! Top it on steamed rice and enjoy a hearty meal!

And who can forget the delicious Bissibela Bhaat!!!

There are many variations of making Sambar.

Knock on any household in India and they will tell you their own version of making a Sambar.

Kaaram's Sambar Masala is made with an heirloom recipe from one such South Indian kitchen, carefully crafted by our Amma!!! Add our masala to your lentils, vegetables & tamarind mix and top it with a hot tadka and Your Sambar is ready.

Kaaram Products Used:

Kaaram Turmeric Powder / Haldi Powder
Kaaram Sambar Powder

Ingredients:

Toor/Arhar Dal - 1 cup
Veggies of your choice (Shallots, Tomatoes, Drumsticks, carrot, bean, pumpkin, bottle gourd, okra) – 1 cup of the mixed veggies
Kaaram Turmeric Powder / Haldi Powder – ½ teaspoon
Kaaram Sambar Powder – 2-3 tablespoons
Tamarind – 50gms / 7-8 medium size pieces
Jaggery (optional) – 10-20 g
Rai / Black Mustard – ¼ teaspoon
Jeera / Cumin Seeds – ½ teaspoon
Dry Red Chillies – 2 pieces
Fenugreek Seeds / Methi Daana – ½ teaspoon
Fresh Curry leaves – 2-3 g
Hing / Compounded Asafoetida – ¼ teaspoon
Salt to taste
Coriander for garnish

Method:

Boil the Toor/Arhar Dal in a pressure cooker
Boil the vegetables (drumsticks, carrots, okra, tomatoes, beans, pumpkin, bottle guard, etc. (vegetables as per preference)) separately. 1 cup of mixed veggies works for the sambar.
Soak the tamarind in warm water for 10 minutes.
In a saucepan, add 3 parts of water to the dal with tamarind paste of the soaked tamarind along and boiled vegetables.
Add Kaaram's Sambar Powder and Turmeric powder.
Add salt (as per taste) and let it all come to a boil (about 5-7 mins).
Add jaggery to balance the flavours or to give little sweetness to Sambar (Optional step).
Then add tadka (tempering) of Rai, Jeera, Red Chillies, Fenugreek Seeds, Curry Leaves and Hing.
Garnish with chopped coriander, and voila, a traditional Sambar is ready to serve!