South Indian Sambar is a lentil based vegetable stew made with Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas) and assorted healthy vegetables like drumsticks and bottle gourd (Lauki).
A very delicious and nutritious. It is famous in all parts of India and abroad. As it has low calories and light on the stomach people love it the most.
South Indian Sambar is a staple food of South Indians. Usually, South Indian Sambar is taken with rice, dosa, idli and other South Indian dishes.
My children love to have this sweet and sour sambar with idli dosa and rice. My sweet princess enjoys the South Indian Sambar raw due to its khatta-meetha taste.
Ingredients of South Indian Sambar
- Pigeon Pea - 1.5 Cups
- Bottle Gourd - 1 Pc Small
- Tomato - 1 Pc Big
- Onion - 1 Pc Medium
- Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
- Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
- Curry Leaves - 10-15 Pcs
- Dry Red Chili - 2 Pcs
- Tamarind Pulp - 2 tbsps
- Sugar - 2 tbsps
- Salt - To Taste
- Edible Oil - 3 tbsps
- Sambar Masala - 1 tbsp
- Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp
- Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Steps for South Indian Sambar
Wash and rinse the Toor Dal properly. Take a deep pan and add the rinsed Toor Dal in it. Add double water. You can add more if you like. Keep it on the boil for 30 min. you can also use the pressure cooker for boiling. Time will be less. The Toor Dal should be completely boiled and meshed with a spatula.
Cut the bottle gourd into small semi-circles and clean the skin of drumsticks. Boil bottle gourd and drumsticks in different containers and keep it aside.
Take a deep cooking pot and add oil to it. Add muster seeds in it and wait till the muster seeds start to pop. Add onion to it. Saute for 2-3 minutes and add tomatoes to it. Add red chili powder, turmeric powder and let it cook for 5 minutes.
Add tamarind pulp, sugar and mix it well. Cook until oil starts to float. Add the Toot dal boiled mixture, boiled bottle gourd and the boiled drumsticks to it. Cook for another 10 minutes until it starts to boil.
Take a small pan heat oil in it for tempering. Put curry leaves, jeera, dried red chilis and sambar masala in it. Pour it over the dal and cover it for at least 2-3 minutes.
Your delicious South Indian sambar is ready to serve. Serve it with rice, idli, dosa and enjoy the lovely taste.
Download South Indian Sambar Recipe Card