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4.8 from 18 votes

Sambar

Sambar is a popular South Indian dish that is often served with rice, dosa, idli, or vada. It is a gluten-free and vegan lentil-based soup that is flavored with tamarind, vegetables, and spices.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
47 mins
Calories: 177 kcal
Course: Main Course , Soup , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • ¼ teaspoon black mustard seeds
  • ⅛ teaspoon asafetida (hing)
  • 15 curry leaves
  • 1 small yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
  • 1 plum tomato diced
  • 1 carrot peeled and sliced
  • 2 cups bottle gourd peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 12 frozen drumstick beans
  • ½ cup toor dal rinsed
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons sambar powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Set the Instant Pot to Saute(more)mode and heat the oil. Add the mustard seeds and cook until they start to pop. Add hing, curry leaves, onion, and garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
  2. Add tomato, carrot, bottle gourd, and drumstick beans, turmeric, salt and, sambar powder and mix well. Add toor dal, and water and give a quick stir.
  3. Close the Instant Pot with the steam release handle to sealing. Pressure Cook (High) for 8 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally and open the pot. Mix the daal well, mashing with the back of the spoon.
  4. Stir in tamarind. Add more water if needed to bring the sambar to the desired consistency. Note: sambar will continue to thicken as it cools down. Add more salt and sambar powder to taste. Select the Saute (More) setting and bring the sambar to a full boil. Press Cancel. Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot. 

Notes

  • Stove Top Recipe:
  • Add rinsed and washed lentils along with 2 cups of water to a pressure cooker and cook until the lentils are soft and mushy. You can also cook them on a stovetop pot for about 30 minutes or so.
  • In another medium-sized pot heat oil. Add the mustard seeds and cook until they start to pop. Add hing, curry leaves, onion, and garlic and saute until the onions turn translucent and lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
  • Add tomato, carrot, bottle gourd, and drumstick beans, turmeric, salt and, sambar powder and mix well. Add 2 cups of water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook covered on low to medium heat until the vegetables are cooked through. About 10 minutes.
  • Add cooked dal and give a quick stir. Stir in tamarind. Add more water if needed to bring the sambar to the desired consistency. Adjust salt to taste and add more sambar powder if needed.

Nutrition Information

Calories 177kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Sodium 1207mg (50%) Potassium 295mg (8%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 2903IU (58%) Vitamin C 81mg (90%) Calcium 89mg (9%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 177

% Daily Value*

Calories 177kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Sodium 1207mg 50%
Potassium 295mg 6%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 2903IU 58%
Vitamin C 81mg 90%
Calcium 89mg 9%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.