Sambhar
Lentil and vegetable stew
South Indian lentil and vegetable stew with tamarind
The South Indian classic: smooth pigeon pea dal cooked with ridge gourd and drumsticks, soured with tamarind and spiced with sambhar masala, curry leaves and mustard seeds. It's tangy, thin enough to pour and full of flavour. Serve hot sambhar with idlis, masala dhosa or uttapam.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 9 oz pigeon pea lentils (tuvar dal)1½ cups, soaked
- 4 ¼ cups water4 cups, for the lentils
- 7 oz ridge gourdcubed
- 10 pieces drumsticks (moringa)8–10 pieces
- 1 cup water1 cup, for the vegetables
- 2 onionsthickly sliced
- 2 tomatoesgrated
For the tempering
- 2 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp asafoetida (hing)
- 7 curry leaves6–7
For the seasoning
- 2 tbsp sambhar masalasee the sambhar masala powder recipe
- 3 tbsp tamarind juice
- 1 pinch ground turmeric
- 2 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp chilli paste
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 ½ tsp saltor to taste
To garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander (optional)chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh coconut (optional)grated
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Method
0/8 doneStep 1: Drain 9 oz pigeon pea lentils (tuvar dal), add 4 ¼ cups water and pressure cook until soft, about 3–4 whistles. Sieve or whisk until smooth and keep aside.
20 minStep 2: Boil 7 oz ridge gourd and 10 pieces drumsticks (moringa) in 1 cup water until tender.
10 minStep 3: Add 3 tbsp tamarind juice and the dal mixture to the vegetables.
Step 4: In another pan, heat 2 tbsp oil and add ½ tsp mustard seeds, ½ tsp fenugreek seeds, ½ tsp cumin seeds, ¼ tsp asafoetida (hing) and 7 curry leaves. Stir-fry for 1 minute.
1 minStep 5: Add 2 onions and cook for 2 minutes.
2 minStep 6: Add 2 tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
2 minStep 7: Add the lentil and vegetable mixture with 2 tbsp sambhar masala, 1 pinch ground turmeric, 2 tsp ginger paste, 1 tsp chilli paste, 1 tsp red chilli powder and 1 ½ tsp salt. Boil for 10 minutes.
10 minStep 8: Garnish with 2 tbsp fresh coriander and 1 tbsp fresh coconut and serve hot with idlis, masala dhosa or uttapam.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Protein
- 12 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 9 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sambhar take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of onions?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
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