Sambar

Pressed for time and the mad rush to conquer ALL, we trod easy routes to complete tasks and chores. Diet is no exception to this holy verses

Isn't it a profound relief to gain most of the nutrition you need in a few, easy-to-make dishes?

That is what sambar is!

Sambar is completeness in itself. It is a sum of the veggies of our choice that completes a South Indian meal. Or maybe it paints an ideal picture of a Southern Indian menu. I have tried making sambar in various combos, sometimes with as few components as just onions and potatoes. But carrots and tomatoes are the tastemakers of a good sambar. Add these two essentials and you would not make a sambar sans them ;D 

There! I just revealed one of my closely guarded secrets :D :D

The recipe I have mentioned below is the one I used to make the sambar shown in the picture. You can add any vegetables you like and if you like it sweet, add a tablespoon of sugar too. If you like it very spicy, add a teaspoon of chilli powder and coriander powder along with sambar powder while cooking. The one detailed here is moderately spicy

What I used

1. Washed sambar dal soaked in water for 1 hour: 3/4 cup
2. Diced onion (1), carrots (2), potatoes (1), squash guard, beans, tomatoes (2), lady's finger (2),
   sliced green chilli (1) 
3. Drumstick cut into 3-inch pieces: 1
4. Salt: as needed
5. Store-bought sambar powder: 3 tablespoons
6. Tamarind juice: 1/2 cup
7. Water: as needed to cook the vegetables
8. Oil: 3 teaspoons
9. Mustard seeds: 1 teaspoon
10. Curry leaves: 1 sprig

How I made it

1. Pressure cook the dal with some salt and water till it has turned into a smooth yellow liquid 
2. Add all the diced vegetables with enough water, salt and the sambar powder to the dal and cook till the vegetables are done
   PS:Can check for salt and spiciness and adjust as needed before the vegetables cook fully
3. Add the tamarind juice and continue boiling
4. In a separate pan, heat the oil and splutter the mustard seeds with the curry leaves and add to the sambar. Mix well
5. Turn off the fire and keep the pressure cooker covered for sometime before serving

Sambar completes any meal, be it with rice, idli, dosa, chappathy... anything ... Just the thought of sambar is enough to sometimes feel full :D :D

At times, I like to add a bit extra water and make a sambar soup and devour it :D