Sambar (Using Homemade Sambar Powder)

Sambar

Though I succeeded in making many dishes, I was not good in making "Sambar" for quite a long time. Whenever I made  sambar, something was 'missing' , which I couldn't figure out. I tried with many store - bought Sambar Powders. But  I was not satisfied with the final taste. Finally I created one of my own and succeeded in making the perfect sambar without using any instant sambar powders. So for my friends who have asked me to share the recipe of my sambar, here is the recipe.

Ingredients
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• Moong dal (cherupayar parippu) - 1/4 cup
• Diced vegetables  -1 cup
• Onion - 1/2 diced
• Pearl onion -5
• Tomato -1/2 diced
• Tamarind pulp -1 spoon
• Jaggery/ sugar  -1 pinch
• Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric Powder -1/4 tsp
• Red chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
• Coriander leaves -a few
• Water - 1 cup

For Sambar Powder
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• Urad dal - 2 tbsp
• Chana dal - 1 tbsp
• Coriander seeds  - 1 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Peppercorns - 3
• Dried Red chilli -3
• Coconut grated - 2 tbsp
• Asafoetida - 1/4 tsp

To Splutter
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• Mustard Seeds -  1/4 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Urad dal - 2 tbsp
• Chana dal - 1 tbsp
• Jeera/Cumin seeds - 1 pinch
• Dried Red chilli -2
• Curry Leaves - few
• Asafoetida/Hing - 1 pinch
• Red chilli powder  - 1/4 tsp

Method
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For  making " Sambar powder"
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1. In a heated pan dry roast all the ingredients except coconut for 2 mins. Lastly add grated coconut and roast for another 2 mins. They should not be brown.
2. Add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and  asafoetida .
3. Grind well in a mixer to a smooth powder. This is your "Sambar Powder". Keep it in a closed container so that the nice aroma remains.

Method for making sambar
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1. In a pressure cooker, add dal, water, salt ,turmeric powder and red chilli powder . Cook for 3 whistles.
2. When the pressure is released , add diced vegetables except onion and tomato. Cook for another 1 whistle.
3. Open lid after done. Add tamarind pulp and water if required and bring to boil.
4. Meanwhile in a pan , add oil and saute onion, pearl onions and diced tomato. Once done add to the cooker .
5. Add the sambar powder to boiling mixture.
6. Add 1  pinch jaggery /sugar and mix well.
7. In a heated pan, add oil . Splutter the ingredients  given in the list "to splutter".
8. Pour it over the sambar.
9. Add freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Notes
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1. Add the sambar powder last after all vegetable  are cooked.
2. It is always better to make this "sambar powder" just before making the sambar so that the  nice smell remains.
3. If there is excess you can store in an airtight box and keep it  in refrigerator and can use it later.
4. Do not boil for longer time after adding sambar powder.This reduces the taste of the sambar .
5. Adding  freshly chopped coriander leaves  at last gives a nice aroma to sambar .
6. You can use any dal of your choice like toor dal, moong dal or masoor dal. I personally prefer moong dal for this recipe.

Sambar