Sambar, a beloved South Indian dish with a rich history, is a delightful and flavorful concoction that blends lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices into a harmonious medley. While it may seem like a traditional dish that has been part of Indian cuisine for centuries, its origin tells a different story.

Ingredients South Indian Vegan Sambar Recipe

Sambar -

1. Tovar dal - 2 cup
2. Onion - 1 thinly sliced
3. Potato - 3 medium - thinly sliced
4. drum sticks - 3-4 pieces of 2-3 inches long
5. Tomato - 1 thinly sliced
6. Vegetable oil - 1 TBSP
7. Hing / Asafoetida - 1/2 Tsp
8. Turmeric powder - 1 Tsp
9. Cumin seeds - 1 Tbsp
10. Mohri / Black Mustard Seeds - 1 TSP
11. Fenugreek seeds - 1 Tsp
12. curry leaves - 4-5
13. Whole red chillies - 3-4
14. Red chilli powder - 1 Tsp
15. Sambar Masala - 1 TBSP
16. Tamrind concentrate - 1 TBSP
17. salt to taste
18. Cilantro for garnishing.

Method

Sambar -

Insta Pot -

1. Start the pot on saute mode. Once hot add oil. Add the mustard seeds and let them spilt. Add cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds , Asafoetida , curry leaves and whole red chillies.
2. Add onions. Saute them till they turn translucent.
3. Add potatoes and drum sticks and any other vegetables of your choice. Mix well.
4. Add tomatoes and mix well.
5. Add turmeric powder , red chilli powder , sambar masala and salt to taste.
6. Add tamrind concentrate and mix well. Add 1 cup water. Put a glass and lid and let it cook for 5 minutes.
7. Add the tovar daal . Mix well.
8. Switch the pot to pressure cooker mode, high pressure , steam closed and cook for 25 minutes.
9. Let the steam release naturally by putting off the keep warm mode.
10. Mix well Garnish with cilantro.

Kadai -

1. Pressure cooker Tovar dal for 3 whitlses. Add turmeric powde r while presure cooking to dal.
2. In a pot add oil once hot. Add the mustard seeds and let them spilt. Add cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds , Asafoetida , curry leaves and whole red chillies.
3. Add onions. Saute them till they turn translucent.
4. Add potatoes and drum sticks and any other vegetables of your choice. Mix well.
5. Add tomatoes and mix well.
6. Add turmeric powder , red chilli powder , sambar masala and salt to taste.
7. Add tamrind concentrate and mix well. Add 1 cup water. Put a glass and lid and let it cook for 10 minutes.
8. Add the tovar daal . Mix well. Add water to adjust consistemcy.
9. Cook for another 10 minutes.
10. Mix well Garnish with cilantro.